CLEVELAND, Ohio – Cleveland State University Director of Athletics Scott Garrett has announced that Amber Williams, Director of Cross Country/Track and Field at Colgate University, will take over as head coach for the women's track and field team. Williams' appointment with the Vikings will begin on November 4, 2019.
"Our search for head coaches always begins with the goal of attracting championship-caliber leaders who can deliver a positive and impactful student-athlete experience, and we are confident that Coach Williams will do just that," said Garrett. "Coach Williams comes to CSU with a philosophy of accountability and partnership, expertise as a former student-athlete and sitting head coach, and an emphasis on prioritizing student-athlete development both in the classroom and at the track. We look forward to continuing the growth of our relatively new program with Amber leading the way. I would like to thank assistant track and field coach Myles Tyler and head cross country coach Jason Hudson for their assistance in leading the team during this transition, as well as recognize Associate Athletics Director Danielle Cohea, Associate Sports Information Director Renee Adam, and former CSU student-athlete Christine Myeroff for their counsel during the search process."
Williams comes to CSU with eight years of collegiate track and field coaching experience, spending the last four seasons with Colgate following a four-year stint at Ball State University.
"I would like to thank Director of Athletics Scott Garrett and Cleveland State for allowing me this great opportunity," Williams said. "I look forward to working with the student-athletes and the Cleveland State administration to continue the growth of the track and field program. I would also like to thank Colgate University for helping me grow professionally, and for being a great community that welcomed me four years ago."
During her time with the Raiders, Williams has been responsible for all aspects of the cross country and track and field programs, leading six student-athletes to set nine program records.
Throughout Williams' tenure, the Raiders have also been successful in the classroom, as the women's cross country and track and field teams earned the 2017 Colgate Women's Team Academic Excellence Award, and four student-athletes have been named Patriot League All-Academic selections.
Prior to her three seasons leading the program, Williams spent one year as the assistant men's and women's track and field coach at Colgate.
Williams got her start in collegiate coaching as an assistant at Ball State – her alma mater – spending four years as the sprints, hurdles and horizontal jumps coach. During her time on the sidelines, Williams guided Thekla Lorenz to the 2012 Mid-American Heptathlon title, helping her become the first-ever Cardinal to claim MAC championships in both the Pentathlon and Heptathlon events.
As a Division I student-athlete herself, Williams captured eight Mid-American Conference titles, was named the Mid-American Conference MVP three times and finished her career as the Ball State record holder in the 60 Meter Hurdles and 100 Meter Hurdles. Williams was also a two-time All-MAC selection, and advanced to the 2007 NCAA Outdoor Championships and 2009 NCAA Indoor Championships.
As an NCAA All-American and Olympic Trials Qualifier, Williams was inducted into the Ball State University Athletics Hall of Fame in February of 2019, becoming just the third member of the women's track and field team to earn the distinction.
A native of Fort Wayne, Ind., Williams graduated with a Bachelor of General Studies with a concentration in Psychology from Ball State in 2009, and went on to earn a Master of Sport Science from the United States Sports Academy in 2013.
What They're Saying About Williams
"Cleveland State picked an outstanding coach in Amber. Her passion, work-ethic, and commitment to developing student-athletes both academically and athletically is phenomenal."
-Vicky Chun, Thomas A. Beckett Director of Athletics at Yale University
"Cleveland State hit a homerun in hiring Amber as their next track and field head coach. She is an incredible leader of people. Her knowledge of the sport and ability to lead student-athletes to their highest potential is one of her best qualities."
-Ann-Marie Guglieri, Deputy Athletic Director at Yale University
