William & Mary Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Alex Heacock '09 announced the resignation of head women's distance coach Natalie Hall today, effective immediately.  Hall and her husband, Hunter, who has been serving as the W&M volunteer pole vault coach, are relocating to Charlottesville, Va., to pursue other career opportunities.

A national search will be conducted to identify a replacement.

"I want to thank Natalie and Hunter for all that they've done for W&M and the Tribe family over the past four years," said Heacock. "We are so grateful for their efforts not just in competition, but also for their friendship and mentorship to the athletes and their fellow coaches and staff.  We're excited for their family and this new opportunity, and we wish them all the best!"

"Natalie continued our tradition of success in women's cross country and the distance events," said W&M's Director of Athletics, Samantha K. Huge.  "She and Hunter will be missed within our community and we wish them the best as they move forward with new endeavors."

Hall took over the Tribe's women's cross country and middle distance programs in 2014, and led W&M to three CAA cross country championships and the team's first regional crown, winning the Southeast Region Cross Country Championship in 2014.  Among the standout individuals coached by Hall were W&M's all-time leading All-American, Emily Stites '16, who won three of her seven All-America awards in 2014-15, highlighted by a third-place finish in the 10,000m outdoors in 2015.  Current senior Regan Rome '18 won five All-America certificates herself over the past two years, including one every season in 2015-16 and doubling in the 5,000m and 10,000m at the 2017 NCAA Outdoor Championships.  In total, Hall's distance runners made 29 appearances at the NCAA Championships, while also earning USTFCCCA All-Academic Team honors every season.

"When people say 'One Tribe, One Family,' they really mean it," said Hall. "I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to coach as part of this Tribe track & field family.  Both Hunter and I consider it a privilege to have been a small part of the long tradition and history at the alma mater of the nation.  We will always cheer on the Tribe!"

The Tribe's runners will be in good hands for the remainder of the season, with assistant coach Scott Jones taking over the team on an interim basis.  Jones has been coaching women's distance and middle distance since 1991, most recently as the head women's cross country coach for five years at the University of Illinois.  He also spent 17 years at the University of Akron, capped by five years as the head cross country coach.