Marla Lindsay enters her first season at Livingstone College with a distinguished background in coaching, recruitment, and athlete development, complemented by national-level leadership in track and field organizations. She brings a wealth of experience from Edward Waters University, where she has served since 2022 as both a coach and the Student-Athlete Development Coordinator.
At Edward Waters, Lindsay led recruitment efforts, position-specific coaching, student-athlete advisory programming, and community service initiatives. Her leadership helped produce multiple first- and second-team all-conference selections, and in 2025, the program celebrated its first-ever NCAA Division II qualifier—an historic milestone.
Lindsay’s coaching excellence has been recognized through several prestigious national grants and mentorships, including:
- USATF National Championship Mentorship Grant (2022, 2024)
- Para Mentorship Grant (2024), under Master Coaches Kris Mack and Jeremy Fischer at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center
- Female Minority Grant for the Emerging Elite Coaches Camp
She has also served as a national liaison for high school track development initiatives in collaboration with World Athletics and the NCAA.
Her coaching journey includes prior roles as:
- Assistant Coach at Hollins University
- Interim Women’s Head Coach/Assistant Coach at Guilford College
- Sports performance trainer and development coordinator
She has mentored aspiring coaches through site leadership programs and elite training camps, further demonstrating her commitment to the growth of the sport.
As a student-athlete, Lindsay was a standout performer at Western Carolina University, where she was part of the first women’s team in program history to win back-to-back Southern Conference Championships — a milestone achieved through team effort. She was also inducted into her high school’s Hall of Fame as part of the first girls’ team to win a state championship in 1993, earning Field Athlete of the Year and MVP honors.
Lindsay holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Western Carolina University (2000) and has completed extensive professional development, including:
- USATF Level 2 Certification
- Emerging Elite and Master Coach mentorships
- Participation in nationally recognized training camps
Her leadership extends well beyond the track. She serves on several national boards, including:
- Executive Board Member, USATF Women’s Commission
- Executive Board, USATF National Association
- Executive Committee for Athletes with Disabilities
- 2nd Vice President, U.S. Women’s Track Coaches Association (USWTCA)
She is also a competition manager for elite meets and a passionate advocate for athlete and coach development.
In addition to her collegiate and national service, Lindsay is deeply committed to community engagement. She is the Owner and Head Coach of the Greensboro Gladiators Track Club/Quantum Velocity LLC, a longtime USATF Official, and an active member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Through mentorship, clinics, site supervision, and volunteer coordination, she continues to build meaningful pathways for athletes and coaches at all levels.
Marla Lindsay resides in Greensboro, NC, with her husband Lonnie Lindsay, their 18-year-old son, and 15-year-old twins—a daughter and a son.
