Courtney Hackman, who is also a teacher at West Hartford’s Bristow Middle School, has been elevated to head men’s and women’s cross country coach at the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford.

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The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) Department of Athletics is pleased to announce the hiring of Courtney Hackman as its next head coach of the USJ men’s and women’s cross country programs, it was officially announced by Associate Vice President of Athletics and Recreation Amanda Devitt.

Hackman, who has spent the past two seasons as the teams’ assistant coach, becomes the ninth head coach to lead the Blue Jays in program history. Hackman began her coaching duties on Monday, July 29.

“We are thrilled to announce that Courtney will be our new head cross country coach,” said Devitt. “I saw her success at the University of Hartford as a student-athlete, and how she has developed into a great role model and coach for our student-athletes here at USJ. We are excited to have her lead these groups and bring our cross country programs to the next level.”

Hackman takes over the reins of the USJ cross country programs after most recently spending the past two years as the teams’ assistant coach. During her time with the Blue Jays, Hackman coached standout runner Braeden Laframboise (Southington, CT) to a second-place finish at the 2023 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Championship, and Faith Shores (West Simsbury, CT) to a fourth-place finish at the 2023 GNAC Championship meet. In the classroom, Hackman saw the Blue Jays’ women’s cross country team earn U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Academic Team Recoginition.

“I am thrilled to step into the role as head cross country coach for the University of Saint Joseph after serving as the assistant coach the last two seasons,” said Hackman. “I am excited to contribute to the team’s growth and push our student-athletes towards their personal bests. This season promises to be an exciting chapter, and I am excited for our student-athletes to run fast and compete this season.”

Prior to beginning her coaching career, Hackman was a collegiate runner at then Division I University of Hartford. During her time with the Hawks, she was named to the America East Honor Roll eight times, and to the America East Commissioner’s Honor Roll once.

In addition to her coaching responsibilities, Hackman also currently works at Bristow Middle School in West Hartford as an Intensive Academic Special Education Teacher.

A native of Glen Head, NY, Hackman graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Integrated Elementary Education and Special Education from the University of Hartford in 2019. She went on to earn her Master of Arts degree in Educational Technology from the University of Connecticut in 2023.

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