Bio

Melissa Kessler joined the Ferris State XC/Track coaching staff in 2022 as a volunteer. She was hired as an assistant coach for the 2023/24 school year. Before joining Ferris State, she worked as a physical therapist for Henry Ford Hospital and competed in many road races across the country including the Boston and New York City marathons. 

As a four-year member of the Wayne State University (WSU) cross country team, Kessler was named second team AII-GLIAC twice and GLIAC All-Academic team three years in a row. 

Kessler completed her Bachelor's in Health Sciences at Wayne and received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy at WSU in 2009. She lives in Evart with her husband Justin, three children and two bulldogs. Kessler is a proud Michigander and a native of Romeo, Mich.