IRVINE, Calif. – On Wednesday, head coach Keegan Bloomfield officially stepped down as the leader of the Concordia University Irvine track and field and cross country teams after over a decade of service.

Bloomfield had served as head coach for both the women and men's programs since 2018. Prior to those eight seasons, he was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for CUI for four years. In all, "Coach Bloom" as he is often called, played an integral part on the Concordia coaching staff for a dozen years.

"Really fun to look back over the last 12 years at Concordia University Irvine and think of all the things our programs have accomplished," said Bloomfield. "It's hard to say that I'm most proud of just one thing. If I had to try and narrow it down, I would say I'm most proud of our staff and student-athletes for rebuilding an elite track and field and cross country program. When I say elite, I mean across all facets of their university experience - from their athletic abilities and our team accomplishments, to our academic success, and most importantly, the foundation of faith and development of young people's walk with Christ."
 
Bloomfield, his wife, Anna, and their three daughters are moving back to Nebraska, where they are originally from. The couple met at Concordia University Nebraska and were both student-athletes. Now they will have a very unique opportunity to both work at their alma mater and be close to family in Seward and the surrounding area in their home state.
 
"Anna and I are very excited to be headed back home," explained Bloomfield. "Concordia University Nebraska is a place that impacted my life deeply as well as my wife's, my brothers and my brother-in-law. I am most excited about going back home and continuing to build upon the foundation of Concordia Nebraska's success. Anna and I did meet there 20 years ago in August so it's kind of a full circle moment to be headed back to the place that brought us together. We've got many friends and family members that live in the community, people that were in our wedding that we've known for 20+ years, so that is exciting to be around those people again."
 
"It is bittersweet to say goodbye to Keegan and his family," said CUI Vice President of Athletics Crystal Rosenthal.  "He has set a standard for excellence in our track and field and cross country programs that will leave a legacy for years to come.  Keegan is respected across not just our campus, but throughout the west region and we are so very grateful for all of his hard work and investment he has poured into our program, and most importantly into the lives of the many student-athletes that he has coached." 
 
"He and his wife Anna and kids are fixtures on this campus and it will be hard to say goodbye to such an amazing family," added Rosenthal.  "I know God has great things in store for the Bloomfields, so while his role here on campus may be over, they all will forever be a part of our Golden Eagle family."

Bloomfield believes the programs are in a great spot for future success and that the foundation has been set for many golden years ahead.
 
"I'm so proud of what our teams have accomplished over the last 12 years and extremely excited about what the programs will accomplish in the next 10 years through committed staff members, outstanding student-athletes and an amazing admin and strong alumni support. We've accomplished so much. We've taken 30 student-athletes to NCAA National Championships. We've had multiple conference champions, we've set and reset over 225 school records and we've had student-athletes of the year. So many other awards like regional athlete of the year, all region, all academic teams."
 
Concordia's track and field teams routinely are in the top four of the conference standings and the distance runners have had great success in recent years at the PacWest Cross Country Championships. At the 2026 annual senior awards banquet which is now called "The Marty Awards," cross country runner Noah Plaza was named CUI Male Athlete of the Year while track and field standout Riley Norris was named CUI Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

Throwers Trey Vergenz and Julia Pisenti also were both All-Americans at the 2026 NCAA DII Outdoor Track and Field Championships. The CUI women's track and field team was just announced as the sport leader of the entire conference with the most Academic All-PacWest selections (the most student-athletes carrying at least a 3.0 GPA or higher).
 
"What I'm most proud of though is the culture that exists within Concordia track and field and cross country," continued Bloomfield. "It's a group of coaches, student-athletes, alumni, and admin that care about something bigger than themselves and will do whatever it takes to glorify God through the gifts they've been given."
 
"Lastly, I'm so thankful to Crystal Rosenthal for her leadership her guidance, her mentorship and her friendship. I'm thankful to the whole staff and all that are involved with being a Concordia Golden Eagle. This place will forever be a place I call home. I am so honored and I've been privileged to serve and lead as the head track and field and cross-country coach. My family and I will always cherish my time in this role."
 
"The future is so bright for all of these programs," added Bloomfield. "I have a poster in my office that my wife printed and it reads "The best is yet to come." I truly believe that for all that are involved with Concordia, track and field and cross-country and the programs themselves: The best is yet to come."