Eastern Connecticut State University

Tim Thayer '02 returns to the coaching staff of head coach Kathy Manizza for the cross country and track & field programs. With the track program, he works with the throwers.

A Mystic native and resident of Ledyard, Thayer lettered the final three cross country seasons (1997-99) of Manizza's first tour of duty at Eastern.

In his final cross country season at Eastern, Thayer ran as the team's No. 3 runner throughout the season, placing 181st overall at the 1999 New England Regional Championship at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. A senior member of the Fitch High School cross country team which won the conference title and placed second in the state in the fall of 1996, Thayer began his Eastern career as one of four freshmen on the 1997 cross country squad, making his debut in the team's 17-44 home win over Clark University.

Thayer is a certified provisional special educator and since 2005 has held numerous positions as a special education teacher, most recently teaching ninth and tenth grade at Windham High School.

Thayer earned a B.A. Degree in child and youth psychology from Eastern in 2002 and an M.A. Degree in special education from Johnson & Wales University in 2005.