FORK UNION, VA — Fork Union Military Academy is proud to announce the appointment of longtime coach and faculty member Winston Brown as the Academy's Director of Athletics for the upcoming 2026–2027 academic year.
Brown will replace John Blake, who has been appointed Vice President of Cadet Life after joining the Academy in February 2023.
Brown has been a cornerstone of the Fork Union community for nearly three decades, serving as head coach of the Academy's track and field and cross country programs while mentoring countless cadets both on and off the field of competition. Known for his commitment to cadet success, a championship culture, character development, and athletic excellence, Brown brings a wealth of experience and leadership to his new role.
"Coach Brown has dedicated his career to developing the young men of Fork Union Military Academy through athletics," said CAPT Mark E. Black, President of Fork Union Military Academy. "His passion for the Academy's mission and his ability to mentor cadets make him an outstanding choice to lead our athletics program into the future."
Throughout his tenure at Fork Union Military Academy, Brown has guided cadets to numerous competitive achievements in track and field and cross country while fostering a culture of perseverance and teamwork. Arriving on campus in 1997 as an instructor and head coach of the cross country and track and field programs, Brown has captured 23 state championships, including three in cross country, 14 in outdoor track and field, and six in indoor track and field. Under his leadership, the Academy achieved an extraordinary run of 20 consecutive Prep League and State championships from 2005 to 2008 across the three sports. Brown has also coached 22 All-Americans, several national champions, and an Olympic qualifier.
This past summer, Brown oversaw the completion of the renovated Gus Lacy Track, helping raise funds and contributing to the design of the new eight-lane competition facility. The track will officially debut on Tuesday, March 31, when Fork Union Military Academy hosts the Fork Union Invitational beginning at 3 p.m.
Brown's lifelong contributions to distance running and athletics were recognized with his induction into the Tidewater Striders Hall of Fame in 2021.
Before beginning his coaching career, Brown was an accomplished distance runner at the collegiate level. He earned All-American honors in cross country at Brevard College, where he helped lead the program to national championships in 1984 and 1985. Brown later transferred to Old Dominion University, where he competed in track and field and set the school record in the 10,000 meters with a time of 30:18.
"I am incredibly indebted to the Academy for bringing me to Fork Union in 1997 and giving me the resources, support, and belief to help our student-athletes succeed," said Brown. "I hope to help others find that same opportunity here and continue building on the Academy's proud athletic tradition."
Fork Union Military Academy fields a wide range of competitive athletic programs across varsity, junior varsity, middle school, and postgraduate levels. Under Brown's leadership, the Academy will continue its commitment to developing student-athletes who excel both in competition and in the classroom.
