WAYNESBURG, Pa. (June 28) – Waynesburg University Director of Athletics Tim Fusina announced the hiring of Chris Brunson as the head coach of the Yellow Jacket softball team on Friday.
"I want to thank Brett Shimek for leading our program to unprecedented success and we wish him well as he moves on," said Fusina. "We are excited to name Chris Brunson our new head softball coach. Chris has a vast amount of experience at the high school and college level and a true passion for coaching. He is well connected to the area and will be able to not only maintain our level of success in softball, but enhance it to be one of the best programs in our region. We are excited to welcome Chris to Waynesburg and look forward to him continuing on our winning tradition of Waynesburg softball."
Brunson brings 20 years of coaching experience at the collegiate and prep levels. He spent the last six seasons as the head softball coach at Mt. Pleasant High School. His 2021 Vikings squad claimed the 3A PIAA state championship after claiming the WPIAL district title. In 2019, Mt. Pleasant posted a runner-up finish in the WPIAL playoffs and made a run to the state semifinals. In addition to his coaching duties, Brunson served as Mt. Pleasant's athletic director from 2019-21.
Brunson spent 14 seasons (2001-14) as an assistant baseball coach at his alma mater, California (Pa.). The Vulcans captured Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) titles in 2004 and 2010. Cal U won six divisional titles and made a dozen trips to the PSAC Tournament. Brunson and the Vulcans made two appearances in the NCAA Regionals in 2007 and 2010.
As a player, Brunson pitched and served as a team captain at Cal U. He led the pitching staff in earned run average and innings pitched as a junior and collected five wins as a senior. As a coach, he mentored 11 players who went on to play professionally and coached 23 All-PSAC West pitchers.
Brunson earned a bachelor's degree in business administration and marketing from Cal U in 2000 and went on to complete a master's in geography and regional planning in 2001. He added a master's certificate in intercollegiate athletic administration from Cal U in 2008.
"I am extremely excited and blessed to be named the head softball coach at Waynesburg University," said Brunson. "I am thankful to President Lee, Mr. Jack and Mr. Fusina and the whole Waynesburg University family for trusting me to head their softball program. I look forward to working with university staff and the Waynesburg community to continue to provide a positive student athlete experience for our young ladies. "
The Waynesburg University softball team posted its third-straight 20-win season and made a run to the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) Tournament championship game in 2024. In the last three seasons, the Jackets posted a 79-39 record with PAC titles and NCAA Regional appearances in 2022 and 2023.
