South Alabama cross country hires Brusa; Williams joins Jags' strength, conditioning staff

MOBILE, Alabama -- The University of South Alabama track and field team has added assistant distance coach Jamie Brusa to its staff, while the strength and conditioning staff has hired Callye Williams as a full time assistant.

Head track and field coach Paul Brueske announced the addition of Brusa to the cross country and track and field coaching staffs this week. Brusa joins the Jaguars after serving as a volunteer assistant track and field coach at Montana during the 2013 season.

Prior to her entry into the coaching profession, Brusa attended Illinois, where she was a three-year letterwinner in both track and field and cross country. During her career with the Illini, she was named to the 2009-10 Big Ten all-Academic Team. Additionally, she was the recipient of the school's George Huff Award - given to a student-athlete who displays academic excellence - in 2008 as well as the Coach's Award in 2009.

After graduating from Illinois in 2010, Brusa used her final year of eligibility as a graduate student at Coastal Carolina. There, she received all-Big South Conference honors in cross country and contributed nine points for the conference champion outdoor track and field team.

"During the interview process, she was spot on," said Brueske. "She's very organized and has some valuable experience in a few different types of programs, from Montana to Coastal Carolina to Illinois. She's been around some good coaches, and I think she's going to become a really good coach for us. We're excited to have her on the staff."

Head strength and conditioning coach Justin Schwind announced recently the hiring of Williams as full-time assistant coach. Williams comes to USA after two seasons at Oklahoma State and brings five years of experience to the program.

At OSU, she worked directly with the softball and soccer teams while also supervising the development of the equestrian squad. In addition to developing annual training programs, Williams created recovery protocols, return-to-play conditioning programs and nutritional plans for more than 40 student-athletes, also working with the sports medicine staff to devise rehabilitation protocols and advocating volunteer and community service opportunities.

Her efforts helped the Cowgirl soccer team advance to the quarterfinals of the 2011 NCAA Tournament after winning the Big XII title that fall.

Williams was the senior associate strength and conditioning coach at James Madison for three years prior to joining the OSU staff, where she worked primarily with the school's baseball, softball, volleyball and men's tennis programs. She also assisted in training the Dukes' men's and women's basketball and women's soccer teams, and was responsible for the daily maintenance of three weight rooms and two multi-purpose cardio rooms.

During her time with the program, the women's soccer squad advanced to the third round of NCAA Tournament in 2009, baseball won two Colonial Athletic Association championships and women's basketball claimed back-to-back league tournament titles.

Originally from Katy, Texas, Williams was a member of the Mississippi State softball team from 2003-06, helping the Bulldogs to NCAA Regional appearances each of her first three seasons. She was named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Academic All-America Team and Southeastern Conference Honor Roll each of her last three years, earning her bachelor's degree from the school in 2006 and a master's degree two years later after serving as a graduate assistant strength and conditioning coach.

Williams is certified by both the National Strength and Conditioning (NSCA) and Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches (CSCCA) Associations, and has also earned club level coaching status from USA Weightlifting (USAW).

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