Olivia Coopwood Named Assistant Track & Field Coach at Chicago State University

Olivia Coopwood was named an assistant track & field coach at Chicago State University on November 18, 2024. She will oversee the sprints program, relays and serve as recruiting coordinator.

"I am really excited to welcome Coach Coop to our Cougar Family," Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Katrina Brumfield said. "She'll bring a wealth of knowledge and success to our track & field Family. I look forward to seeing the sprints thrive under her leadership!"

Coopwood is an experienced NCAA Division I track and field coach specializing in sprints, hurdles, and mid-distance events. She has a proven record of developing high school and collegiate athletes into All-Americans and was most recently at Oklahoma Wesleyan University where she oversaw both the cross country and track and field programs. 

Prior to her time at OWU, Coopwood was an assistant coach at Texas Christian University, Duke University and East Carolina University. Her career highlights include coaching athletes to NCAA Division I National Championships and leading teams to regional and state successes.She competed in the World Deaf Athletic Championship in 2024 in Taipei, Taiwan, earning a silver medal in the mixed 4x4 with a second-place finish. She also placed fourth in the women's 4x1.

Coopwood holds a bachelor's degree in Communication from Coastal Carolina University, where she was an All-Academic student-athlete and record-setting hurdler. She also earned a master's degree in Public Relations from Virginia Commonwealth University.