BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb Track & Field announced Wednesday that former student-athlete Evan Brusich had returned to the program as an assistant coach for sprints, jumps and combined events.

Brusich (Lilburn, Ga. / Parkview HS) graduated from Gardner-Webb in 2011 and spent the past three seasons as a volunteer coach at Baylor University.

During his time in Waco, Texas, Brusich assisted with combined events, pole vault and throws – helping Henry Vildasola to a 17th-place finish in the decathlon at the 2014 NCAA Championships and Annie Rhodes to third at USA junior nationals in the pole vault.

He also worked with All-America student-athletes Skylar White (discus), Erin Atkinson (weight throw) and Desmine Hilliard (discus) and with All-Big 12 performers Hunter Brook (decathlon), Jenna Pfeiffer (heptathlon) and Jessica Shadley (heptathlon).

Brusich earned his master's degree in sport pedagogy from Baylor in 2012.

Brusich enjoyed a successful career during his time with the Runnin' Bulldogs as a student-athlete. He was a team captain for three seasons and earned All-Big South Conference honors in the decathlon and 4x400m meter relay run. He is the school record holder in the decathlon.

The former Parkview (Ga.) High standout helped his high school squad to three consecutive cross country state titles and a third-place finish at the Class 5A state Track & Field meet in 2007.

Brusich is engaged to 2011 Gardner-Webb graduate and former Track & Field standout Carrie Long, who is currently a Ph.D candidate in immunology at West Virginia University.