Ryan Edgar Goodbye

CALGARY, ALTA (April 3, 2025) – Longtime SAIT Trojans cross-country running and indoor track head coach Ryan Edgar is stepping away from his role.

He informed SAIT’s Athletics and Recreation Department of his decision late last week, bringing an end to 10 years at the helm that yielded an amazing 121 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) individual and team medals and 14 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) individual and team medals.

“There were a variety of reasons, but the biggest one was to be able to spend more time with my family,” said Edgar about his decision to leave his position. “It was a very hard decision, but ultimately, I could not justify being away for the many weeknights and weekend days that are required and miss a lot of the joy that comes with watching my daughter grow up.

“I also thought that it was a good time to continue to evolve by introducing some new ideas/methods/strategies to the team, to hopefully mix existing aspects that work well, and keep improving.”

Edgar first joined the Trojans in 2013 as an assistant coach to then head coach, Jamie Grant. After two years in the role, Edgar and fellow assistant coach Bre MacEachern were named co-head coaches following Grant’s departure.

He laughs when asked if he thought he’d still be around more than a decade later.

“Certainly not. Initially it was just a minor commitment. It allowed me to continue to be able to be involved in the running community, stay motivated to keep in shape, and didn't seem like an overly significant part of my life,” said Edgar, who shared ACAC Indoor Track Coach of the Year honours with MacEachern in both 2017 and 2018. “It turned into a great alternative activity to my day job, to escape budgets and reports and stresses and be around a fun team atmosphere. It also felt great to be able to give back, after being greatly benefitted by having good coaches and teams growing up that led to lifelong friendships.”

The two continued as co-head coaches until the end of the 2021-22 season when MacEachern stepped down.

Whether it was with MacEachern riding shotgun or on his own, Edgar has seen more than 130 ACAC and CCAA medals draped around the necks of his student-athletes since 2015.

In indoor track, SAIT has earned 79 individual ACAC medals (32 gold, 25 silver, 22 bronze) and 10 team medals (4 gold, 5 silver, 1 bronze).

In cross-country running, the number stands at 21 individual ACAC medals (8 gold, 6 silver, 7 bronze) and 11 team medals (7 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze).

On the national cross-country running stage, Edgar’s numbers are just as impressive – including nine CCAA individual medals (6 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze) and 5 team medals (2 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze).

“Coach Edgar’s achievements at SAIT have been nothing short of exceptional, and he should take great pride in all he has accomplished,” said Wade Kolmel, Director of Athletics and Recreation at SAIT. “Aside from the countless medals, trophies and banners, Ryan has been a driving force behind the growth of our indoor track program while also providing a welcoming atmosphere and overall culture of belonging that cannot be measured with a stopwatch. We are grateful for his commitment to excellence and his dedication to the SAIT Trojans.”

After coming close to CCAA team gold in 2017 when his women grabbed silver and his men claimed bronze, and again a year later when his men earned another bronze, Edgar finally got his hands on that elusive CCAA team banner when his men’s squad secured the gold in 2022 in Medicine Hat, Alta.

This past fall, he earned another team banner when his men took top spot in Windsor, Ont.

“Both of the CCAA team gold medals were very memorable and fun experiences, but the first one in Medicine Hat is just slightly more so because of the various close attempts that had come before it,” Edgar said when asked of his fondest memories. “Beyond that, there are a few memorable moments where members of different past teams have connected and taken a photo, outside of the Trojans, though still being actively involved in running. That gives the warm-and-fuzzies that what we're doing here leads to lasting positive impacts in athletes’ lives.”

While the medals are definitely an added bonus, what Edgar is thankful for most is all the student-athletes who chose to come out, lace up the shoes and take on the challenges that come with running track and cross-country.

“Obviously, all the credit goes to the amazing athletes who have come through the program. They are the ones putting in the time, effort, and sacrifices both in their training, and outside of it, to push themselves to continually be better and faster, “Edgar finished. “Being able to minorly provide a consistent opportunity, direction, and motivation for all of that commitment was the easy part.”

SAIT Athletics and Recreation Manager Lauren Kucera acknowledged that while Edgar’s departure will certainly be a loss, the groundwork he has laid will ensure the team continues to thrive.

“Through his guidance, countless athletes have grown both as student-athletes and as people,” she said. “His passion for the sport and commitment to our program has set a high standard, and we are incredibly thankful for the leadership he has provided. His 12 years of service have not only shaped a strong foundation but also positioned the team for continued success in the years to come.”

Article written by Brody Mark