Posted: Feb 27, 2026

Andrew College Athletics Welcomes McKinley Ward-La Salle as the Head Cross Country Coach

CUTHBERT, Ga – Andrew College Athletics welcomes McKinley Ward-La Salle as the department's newly appointed Head Men's and Women's Cross Country Coach. Athletic Director and Head Men's Basketball Coach Brian Skortz announced the hiring Feb. 27.

"It is a massive privilege to be named the Head Men's and Women's Cross Country Coach at Andrew College and is a testament to the athletes, coaches and programs that have supported my journey as a coach," said Ward-La Salle.

He most recently spent time at Georgetown University Law School where he served as a fitness specialist for the Law School Recreation Center and Gymnasium. There, he worked as a third-party specialist supporting student and faculty wellness initiatives.

Prior to joining the staff at Georgetown University Law School, he served as the Head Track and Field Coach at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. While at Presque Isle he oversaw all aspects of the track and field program, including coaching, recruiting and team development.

Ward-La Salle joins Andrew College bringing extensive knowledge in Cross Country as well as Track and Field. He previously served as the Head Cross Country and Assistant Track Coach at Fort Scott Community College (2023-2024), Long Distance Coach at Georgia Tech (2023), Graduate Assistant Health and Human Performance at Northwestern University (2021-2022) and Track and Field and Cross Country Communications Director and Volunteer Coach at Georgia Tech (2020-2021).

In addition to his coaching background, Ward-La Salle brings extensive experience in athletic communications. He previously served as the Track & Field and Cross Country Communications Director and Volunteer Coach at Georgia Tech, where he created and distributed media materials, assisted with athlete interviews and supported team operations during practices and competitions.

Ward-La Salle also spent time at Northern Arizona University as a Graduate Assistant Athletic Communications Director for Track & Field and Cross Country.

His foundation in athletics communications began at Louisiana Tech University, where he worked as a Student Worker, Intern and Volunteer Sports Information Director from 2013-17. Ward-La Salle earned his Master of Science in Health & Human Performance from Northwestern State University in April 2023. He received his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Louisiana Tech University in March 2018.

Known for his commitment to teamwork, communication and athlete development, Ward-La Salle has built a career centered on helping student-athletes grow both competitively and personally.

As Andrew College Athletics builds the Fighting Tigers Cross Country program, the addition of Ward-La Salle will not only build a strong foundation of excellence on and off the track but will further strengthen Andrew's commitment to excellence academically and competitively.

"Andrew College's mission statement aligns with the values and faith that I believe assists in creating a total person," said Ward-La Salle. "Great things are happening for the Fighting Tigers across the board, adding Cross Country is exciting because how much it's been growing in Georgia, as well as the entire country. Students in the Fall of 2026 have the opportunity to compete immediately at a historic institute."

Andrew College is a National Junior College Athletic Association Division I school located in Cuthbert, Georgia. The Fighting Tigers sponsor 14 sports and compete in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association. Andrew College will move to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, effective July 1, 2026.