Ben True Named Assistant Coach of Cross Country and Track and Field

HANOVER, N.H. — The Marjorie & Herbert Chase '30 Director of Dartmouth Track & Field and Cross Country, Mike Nelson, has announced that Ben True will be stepping into the role of Assistant Coach of Cross Country and Track and Field. He will focus on the men's distance runners.

"We're thrilled to announce that Ben True has accepted the position of assistant cross-country/track & field coach. He will primarily be responsible for the men's distance runners. Ben did a fantastic job in the fall of coaching our men's and women's cross-country student-athletes. He proved that he was more than just a good coach. He showed that he could recruit at a very high level and his administrative skills were excellent. It's an exciting time for the Big Green track & field/cross-country programs. The addition of Ben True as a full-time coach is one more thing that adds to the positive momentum of the teams. GO BIG GREEN!" said Nelson.

Prior to this role, True served as the program's Interim Cross Country/Distance Coach. Read more HERE.

This past Fall, True coached senior cross country runner Madeleine Locher to an All-Ivy recognition after a ninth place finish at the Ivy League Championship. With Locher's help, the women's cross country team placed fourth overall at the Ivy League Championship. On the men's side, nearly every student-athlete saw improved times in 2024.

A decorated student-athlete in his time at Dartmouth, True was an All-American in cross country, track and field and skiing (Nordic). He was a three-time Ivy League Heptagonal Champion in cross country while leading the Big Green to their last team title in 2005. True was also Dartmouth's top scorer on the 2007 NCAA Championship winning ski team. He was a two-time recipient of the Alfred E. Watson Trophy, which honors Dartmouth's Male Varsity Athlete of the Year. Ben is also a member of the Wearers of the Green, the exclusive group created in 1984 to honor Dartmouth students, alumni, and coaches for athletic excellence in their respective sports, including Olympians, All-Americans, national champions, major league professionals and other exceptional forms of recognition.

True has been living and training in the Upper Valley for over 15 years. He currently serves as head coach and director of Northwoods Athletics, a professional running team with a strong community focus. True was also a volunteer assistant coach with Dartmouth cross country and track and field in 2022-23.

As an athlete, True represented the United States at the World Cross Country Championships twice (2011 & 2013). He placed sixth in 2013, the highest finish by an American man in over 40 years. He also competed twice at the World Track & Field Championships (2015 & 2019). True is also the American record holder in the 5k road race. He ended 2015 ranked sixth in the world by Track & Field News in the men's 5,000m.

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