JACKSON, Miss. - Peter Kazery has been named Belhaven University Head Coach and Director of Track & Field, Cross Country, as announced by Vice President and Director of Athletics, Scott Little. "Following an extensive national search involving many strong candidates, I am pleased to announce the hire of Peter Kazery as our new Head Coach and Director of Track & Field/Cross Country. He comes highly recommended by those he has coached and trained, as well as associates he has worked closely with in the field of business. His background as an athlete, coach, and business professional sets him up for success as we position our programs for even more success", said Little.

Peter Kazery becomes the fourth Head Coach in the history of the Belhaven Men's and Women's Track & Field program. Kazery is an elite Marathon/Distance Runner and Trainer and has over 20 years of running experience. In 2020, he won the Mississippi Blues Marathon with a time of 2:37.50. Kazery was the Assistant Track & Field Coach for the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown where he was responsible for the middle and distance athletes. He also was an Assistant Cross Country Coach at Jackson Academy here locally in Jackson, Miss.

As a business professional, Kazery most recently was the Customer Service Manager for Brown Bottling Group in Brandon, Mississippi. Additionally, he worked as the Business Development Coordinator at Fleet Feet Sports in Jackson. During his time at Fleet Feet Sports, he forecasted and managed shoe inventory at a top ten Fleet Feet franchise, organized high school spike nights for local cross country and track teams, and assisted race directors with a plethora of duties at local races.

Kazery was a four-year varsity letterman and member of the second highest ranked team in the University of West Alabama history during his college career. During his time at UWA, he was a Student Assistant to the Director of Athletics Communications and a Graduate Assistant for the Athletics Communications Department. 

Kazery commented, "With over 20 years of running experience, I've coached at both the high school and collegiate levels. My coaching philosophy is simple: To facilitate an environment in which student-athletes can develop their full potential as Christians, students, and athletes. I will create a family-oriented culture within the program that will encourage student-athletes to trust each other, push themselves to the limit, and build relationships that will last a lifetime. Running has created some of my closest friends and at Belhaven I will foster an environment where every student-athlete feels like Belhaven is their home away from home."

Originally from Jackson, Miss., Kazery is a 2013 graduate of the University of West Alabama, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Management. In 2015, he received his Master's Degree in Business Administration from Saint Francis University in Loretto, PA. Peter is an active Eagle Scout and is married to his wife, Dana, who was a former collegiate Track & Field/Cross Country athlete at the University of Southern Mississippi. 

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