MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga.- Georgia College & State University Director of Athletics Wendell Staton is pleased to announce the hiring of Alexander Bruno as the new Head Coach of Bobcat Cross Country.

Bruno joins the Bobcat staff after finishing up his first year as an Assistant Coach for men's and women's cross country as well as men's and women's track and field at Barton College. He made an incredible impact in his first season with the Bulldogs as he coached the Conference Carolinas Outdoor Men's Track Athlete of the Year. In the 2023 Conference Carolinas outdoor meet, Bruno also led several runners to top-five finishes.

"I am grateful for the chance to lead the cross country programs and be a member of the GCSU family, said Bruno. "The positivity and passion I felt in every conversation with Director of Athletics Wendell Staton along with how our goals for the program align make me excited to get to work. I'm looking forward to helping our student-athletes strive for and achieve excellence in every aspect of their lives."

Before his time at Barton, Buno spent a year as an Assistant Coach for men's and women's cross country as well as men's and women's track and field at Division I Nicholls State University. 
Before his collegiate debut as a coach, Bruno went back home to Bloomington, Illinois where he was the assistant track and field coach at Olympia High School. 

Bruno had quite the collegiate resume in his time as a double Beacon at Division I Valparaiso University. While pursuing his undergraduate degree in Mathematics and Secondary Education, he was a member of the cross country and track and field teams. 

He continued on with his education earning a Master's in Analytics and Math Modeling while he continued his running career as well. Bruno capped off his collegiate career at Valparaiso by picking up three honors in his final season. He was named the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Track and Field Scholar-Athlete of the Year. He also claimed the Indoor Mile Run Champion title for the MVC that same year. To wrap up an outstanding year for Bruno, he was named the Valparaiso University SAAC Male Athlete of the Year.

"We are so excited to welcome Alexander Bruno to our family as the Head Men's & Women's Cross Country Coach," said Staton. "Alexander has a contagious positivity that is perfect for our student-athletes and our culture.  From our first interaction, it has been clear that his values seamlessly align with GCSU.  He will be a great addition to our campus and community.  He is committed to excellence in everything he does and is committed to the holistic student-athlete experience.  He is passionate about helping student-athletes reach their full potential in every aspect of life.  I am absolutely thrilled for our cross country student-athletes as he will provide positive leadership in the pursuit of academic, community, and athletic excellence. He has a full tank of gas and we are pleased to provide him the keys to drive Bobcat Cross Country to great success."

Bruno will make his journey to Milledgeville and officially begin his duties on Aug. 1.  GCSU Athletics will release information in the coming days regarding a date and time for an introductory press conference and community welcome set for early August.

Owning the top Academic Success Rate among public schools in Division II in back to back academic years, the Georgia College Department of Athletics sponsors 11 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. GCSU Athletics has won three-straight Presidents' Awards for Academic Excellence, and are two-time winners of the PBC Commissioner's Cup and three-time winners of the PBC Institution of the Year Sportsmanship Award. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' continued appearances in post-season competition as well as high-level academic success and community-service involvement. Bobcat Athletics embodies the mantra of "Graduating Champions for Life." Sign up at @GCSUBobcats on all social media outlets for up-to-the-minute reports.