Staten Island, NY – Wagner head cross country and track & field head coach, Joe Stasi, finalized his coaching staff today with the additions of LaSalle McDonald III and former Seahawk track & field standout, Emily Pereira.
 
Pereira, who will also assist with the Green & White cross country teams, and McDonald join Ryan Budd, who was hired as an assistant coach last month.
 
"We are extremely excited to have LaSalle and one of our own in Emily join our coaching staff," commented Stasi. "Both have a vast knowledge in multiple areas and, in addition to Ryan, are tremendous additions to our staff."
 
McDonald III comes to Wagner from Big Ten member, Rutgers University, where he served as the head strength and conditioning coach for the Scarlet Knight men's and women's track and field programs.  At Rutgers, he was responsible for designing and implementing individual and team specific programs for 135 student-athletes. During his time in New Brunswick, he helped in the development of the first Rutgers Olympic Strength and Conditioning Internship Manual.
 
During his nearly three-year tenure at Rutgers, McDonald oversaw three U.S. Olympic Trialists, nine Big Ten Champions, three NCAA First Team All-Americans, eight NCAA Qualifiers, 12 NCAA Regional Qualifiers and one Junior Pan-American Gold Medalist. In 2013, McDonald graduated from William Paterson University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science. At Wagner, McDonald, in addition to his coaching duties, will be pursuing a Master's Degree in Business Administration.
 
After a stellar four-year athletic career on Grymes Hill, Pereira embarks on her first season as assistant coach of the Seahawk cross country and track & field programs. Pereira was a four-time Northeast Conference (NEC) Fall, Winter and Spring Academic Honor Roll selection while earning her degree in Anthropology and minoring in Art and Environmental Studies. The Howell, NJ native, who served as team captain all four years, holds the indoor school record in the 500m, when she posted a time of 1:14.35 at the 2015 NEC Indoor Track & Field Championships. During the 2013-14 indoor season, she became the 2014 NEC Indoor Champion in the 500m, posting a then-school best, 1:15.65, en route to earning All-NEC First Team honors. Pereira is a part of the 4x400 squad that set a Wagner record with a time of 3:51.61 at the 2015 ECAC Indoor Track & Field Championships. During her outdoor career, she is the school's record holder in the 800m with a time of 2:10.01, set at the 2015 ECAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Pereira also holds records in the 4x400 and 4x800.
 
Pereira was involved in the NCAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee during her four-year career as well as several other on campus and community initiatives, such as AmeriCorps Habitat for Humanity, where she was the Treasurer in 2014 and was a tutor for the El Centro del Inmigrante during the spring of 2013. Pereira will pursue a Master's Degree in Business Administration. 


Follow us: #CHAOSonthehill
Wagner Athletics       
Cross Country | Track & Field:  
Wagner Gameday: