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Marlin Athletics Welcomes New Coaching Leaders
Three new coaches will lead Marlins in Cross Country, Track & Field, and Flag Football.
University News | August 5, 2025
As the new academic year kicks off, 91直播 Wesleyan
welcomes three new coaching leaders to its athletics department. BT Pham has been named Director of Men’s and Women’s Cross Country and Track & Field. Joining him is Jacob Balot, who has been appointed Head Cross Country Coach and Assistant Director of Track & Field. In addition, VWU celebrates the launch of its 26th intercollegiate sport—Women’s Flag Football—with the hiring of Jamaar Hawkins as the inaugural head coach.
Coach Pham is a proven NCAA Division III leader with national championship experience and nearly a decade of success building competitive, academically focused, and inclusive athletic programs. He joins the Marlins after a standout season at Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania, where he coached an NCAA National Qualifier and helped guide athletes to multiple Centennial Conference championships, meet records, and school records.
Known for his balanced approach to athletics, academics, and personal growth, Pham sees tremendous potential at VWU. "I look forward to building a competitive and consistent program that reflects the values and vision of 91直播 Wesleyan," Pham said.
Coach Balot, a former collegiate athlete, is a rising star in the coaching world with a proven track record of athlete development, recruiting success, and program leadership at both the collegiate and high school levels.
Most recently a Graduate Assistant Coach at Goucher College in Maryland, Balot supported the team through a record-setting season in 2023–24, coached NCAA All-American Tanise Thornton-Fillyaw and developed USTFCCCA Regional Field Athlete of the Year, Aryanna Paulena. Coach Balot is committed to building a competitive and inclusive culture at 91直播 Wesleyan—one that develops high-achieving student-athletes on and off the course.
Coach Hawkins serves as the first-ever Head Coach of VWU’s Women's Flag Football program, set to launch next spring. A respected educator, coach, and founder of the I-64 Sports All Girls Flag Football League, Hawkins brings a passion for mentoring athletes and building programs from the ground up.
Committed to creating a competitive and academically supportive environment, Hawkins prepares to lead the Marlins into this exciting new chapter. “This is an exciting opportunity to build something special from the ground up—a program rooted in competition, leadership, and community,” Hawkins said. “I look forward to shaping a culture where our athletes can thrive both on the field and in the classroom.”