Women's Cross Country Coaching Staff

 

 Geoff Brunger  
Head Women's Cross Country Coach
(716) 926-8802
gbrunger@hilbert.edu
 

Geoff Brunger returns for his second year as head coach of the men and women’s cross country teams at Hilbert this 2012-13 academic year .  Brunger is a committed coach with a long-standing record of success.  He maintains a tremendous connection within the running community and provides the positive, never-quit attitude the program requires.   

With over thirty years of coaching in the Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda school district, Brunger feels the hallmark to his career has been his dependability and dedication to the student-athletes. “If a coach expects student-athletes to attend practice and give their full effort each day, then that coach must model those characteristics for team members,” said Brunger. “I won’t ask any thing from my athletes that I personally haven’t done myself. I look forward to challenging the Hawks and giving them the mental tools they need to push to the next level”.

In 1977 he assumed his first head coaching position at Kenmore East high school as the outdoor Track and Field coach. He retained that title until 2008, just before he retired from his Social Studies teaching position, then served as the assistant coach for the next two seasons. During his tenure, the Bulldogs secured three divisional championships and took home one NFL championship crown. Over the years, several runners qualified for the NYSPHSAA championships meet multiple times with four co-eds earning medals.

Brunger’s active cross country leadership role is rooted back to 1981 when he coached the Kenmore Middle school modified team for three seasons. In 2000 he assumed the assistant role only to become the head coach one year later. Beginning in 2001, Brunger held the head coaching position for both cross country and track and field squads simultaneously. During the 2004, 2005 and 2006 seasons, the harriers were NFL champions twice, Section VI Class A champions twice, NYSPHAA Class A runner up, and were Team State Qualifiers twice.

Brunger is an educator for life. In addition to his successful teaching career (New York State Social Studies Supervisor of the Year, Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who Among Executives, Professionals and Entrepreneurs) he served as the K-12 Social Studies Coordinator for the Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda Public Schools. Outside the classroom he was selected as Kenmore East Coach of the Year for his dedication to the student-athletes.

Having earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Alfred University and masters from Canisius College, Brunger taught for 39 years before retiring in 2010. Brunger currently resides in Tonawanda with his wife of 40 years. 

 

Lisa Arnst 
Assistant Women's Cross Country Coach
(716) 926-8802        
gbrunger@hilbert.edu 

Lisa Arnst enters her first year at Hilbert College to assist coach Brunger with recruiting for the men’s and women’s cross country teams. She is very eager to join the team and is hoping that from her own personal experience she can bring new workouts and ideas to the program.

Arnst ran for the Niagara University cross country team, served as a team captain and was named to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference’s Academic All-Conference team. She was named to the Dean’s List all four years and graduated with a degree in elementary education in 2011.

Currently Arnst is a substitute teacher and finishing up her master’s in special education at Buffalo State College.