Former Mt. Pleasant softball star Haylie Brunson takes Division I coaching job
After a short stint as a volunteer assistant on her father’s staff at NCAA Division III Waynesburg, Haylie Brunson is moving on to coach softball at the Division I level.
The former Mt. Pleasant and Penn State slugger has accepted a graduate assistant coach position at Longwood University, a member of the Big South Conference in Farmville, Va.
A recent Penn State grad with a degree in labor and human resources, Brunson helped her father, Chris, the former Mt. Pleasant softball coach and athletic director, guide Waynesburg in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference late last season.
That followed an impressive playing career by the outfielder and former TribLive Westmoreland Player of the Year.
She hit .283 in her college career, which was split between Pitt and Penn State. Brunson earned second-team All-Big Ten Conference honors last season when she batted .345 with 13 home runs, 13 doubles and 49 RBIs.
She also was recognized as an All-Big Ten Academic and CSC Academic All-District selection.
“I am incredibly honored for the opportunity to kickstart my coaching career at Longwood University,” Brunson said in a news release. “Joining a program with such a proud tradition and unwavering commitment to excellence is truly meaningful. Coach (Megan) Brown has built a program rooted in strong values, a winning culture and a family-oriented environment where athletes grow not just as players, but as people. I am excited to learn under her leadership and contribute to the continued success of this program.”
Brunson will pursue an MBA while coaching.
Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.
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