Introducing LRC's new faculty advisor-Cody Gross

3/31/26

Within the past few weeks, LRC has asked Cody Gross to step in as our new faculty advisor. Gross is a first year, second semester adjunct professor here at Liberty University. He is an Exercise Science professor teaching "3 of the weightlifting classes, the beginning and advanced running sections, as well as Exercise Science 101.” Outside teaching, he proudly coaches the nationally ranked Liberty Triathlon Team. Gross says “I've been doing that for 2 years now. I plan on doing that for at least a couple more years.” Additionally, “I'm also a student too, so I just started my masters in clinical mental health counseling. So kind of a triple agent.”

Gross shares that he is “the youngest of four. Some people say that's very obvious. Some people are surprised by that.” He describes his family: “I have an older brother and two older sisters. My two older siblings are half siblings. I'm from Northern Virginia, but all the siblings were kind of spread out all over the country. So we only get to see each other every once in a while.” He further explains “there's definitely a big age gap. I'm younger than my oldest brother by 12 years,” but there’s definitely a “good dynamic,” and “we get along.”

Gross explains how he first got into running: “so I actually abhorred running for a very long time up until about two and a half years ago. Professor Trace Cruz, who also teaches here in exercise science. I had just met him back in October of 2023, and [we] became best friends immediately. He told me that he was doing this 50K race in a couple weeks, and that I should sign up to do it. And I said ‘why not?’ I went and did it, and just kind of fell in love.” He strongly prefers “trail running, specifically, is what I'm most drawn to, but yeah, I just have an affinity for it. I love the Ultra distances, because while it's still a physical battle, it's a lot more of a mental battle than a lot of road races. I'm a very type A personality, so I'm just very drawn to things that require a lot of structure, and trail running's just like that.”

When asked what some of his highlights from his running career are, Gross reported “Number one's gonna be the relationships. Dr. Horton, my predecessor for the running class, has made Lynchburg a big hub for trail running and ultra running in general. A lot of people come here from all over the country, and just see other relationships that we're able to build, both with former liberty students, alumni, and just everyone in the community is awesome.” Some of his accomplishments include “I love simply being able to challenge myself in a very niche and unique way as well as finishing. I've had 2 top 10 or 3 top 10 finishes now”

Currently, Gross is hoping “to go for top 5 in Promise Land in the next couple weeks. I'd like to do my 1st 100 miler in September with Grindstone 100. I think long term goals, I'd love to qualify for UTMB out there in Chamonix, France. For a big stretch goal, in like 5 to 10 years, I'd love to do Moab 240. I love the idea of multi-day races where it becomes a lot more of a mental battle. I love the pain cave, love being in it. Then Hellgate 100k in December, I had my first attempt at that this past December, but unfortunately, I had a DNF because of a meniscus injury. So, finishing Hellgate this year” and the other ultra races are some of his personal running goals.

When asked about what he is looking forward to in being LRC’s faculty advisor, Gross said “I just love the college population. I love working with them. You guys are awesome. I've been in your shoes before, so I know all the stress that you're dealing with, and the outlet that running itself can be, but then the community of it can be as well. And I'm excited to kind of come alongside and support you guys in any way I can. I am excited to meet everyone, and it's gonna be fun.”