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Geoff Brunger
Head Women's Cross Country Coach
(716) 926-8802
gbrunger@hilbert.edu
Hilbert College Director of Athletics Susan Viscomi announces the hiring of Geoffrey Brunger to the position of Head Coach of the men and women’s cross country teams for the 2011-2012 season.
“As a committed coach with a long-standing record of success, and his tremendous connection within the running community, Geoff’s leadership will be a lift to our Hilbert student-athletes,” said Viscomi. “We are fortunate to have him leading our programs and are excited about the future growth of the teams.”
With over thirty years of coaching in the Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda school district, Brunger feels the hallmark to his career has been his dependability and dedication to the student-athletes. “If a coach expects student-athletes to attend practice and give their full effort each day, then that coach must model those characteristics for team members,” said Brunger. “I won’t ask any thing from my athletes that I personally haven’t done myself. I look forward to challenging the Hawks and giving them the mental tools they need to push to the next level”.
In 1977 he assumed his first head coaching position at Kenmore East high school as the outdoor Track and Field coach. He retained that title until 2008, just before he retired from his Social Studies teaching position, then served as the assistant coach for the next two seasons. During his tenure, the Bulldogs secured three divisional championships and took home one NFL championship crown. Over the years, several runners qualified for the NYSPHSAA championships meet multiple times with four co-eds earning medals.
Brunger’s active cross country leadership role is rooted back to 1981 when he coached the Kenmore Middle school modified team for three seasons. In 2000 he assumed the assistant role only to become the head coach one year later. Beginning in 2001, Brunger held the head coaching position for both cross country and track and field squads simultaneously. During the 2004, 2005 and 2006 seasons, the harriers were NFL champions twice, Section VI Class A champions twice, NYSPHAA Class A runner up, and were Team State Qualifiers twice.
Brunger is an educator for life. In addition to his successful teaching career (New York State Social Studies Supervisor of the Year, Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who Among Executives, Professionals and Entrepreneurs) he served as the K-12 Social Studies Coordinator for the Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda Public Schools. Outside the classroom he was selected as Kenmore East Coach of the Year for his dedication to the student-athletes.
Having earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Alfred University and masters from Canisius College, Brunger taught for 39 years before retiring in 2010. Brunger currently resides in Tonawanda with his wife of 39 years.
Sue Devlin
Assistant Women's Cross Country Coach
(716) 926-8802
Sue Devlin will assist Coach Brunger with both the men's and women's cross country teams during the 2011 fall season. She is another very positive and enthusiastic coach who loves the phsyical and mental challenges that running cross country bring. Her responsibilities will include training design, meet planning, and recruiting.
A former Hilbert cross country standout, Devlin competed for the royal and white from 2005-2006 and was consistently the Hawks top finisher in more than 10 meets over her two-year career. A 2006 Hilbert College Student-Athlete of the Month, Devlin earned the college’s McGrath Award as the student-athlete with the highest GPA.
Previously she competed in cross country, as well as indoor and outdoor track and field for junior college power Erie Community College (ECC). An All-American in the 10,000 meters in 2004, Devlin also served as the Kats interim head coach during the spring of that season.
A running enthusiast, Devlin has competed in numerous road races and more than 20 marathons in 15 different states. She is a four-time finisher of the prestigious Boston Marathon and in 2000 won California’s Black Horse Marathon, the 26.2 mile Mojava Desert race.
Devlin holds an associates degree in communications from ECC and a bachelors degree in criminal justice with a minor in economic crime investigation from Hilbert.
Devlin resides in Blasdell.
