Buffalo State brings back former All-American Jessica Williams as head cross country/track and field coach
Buffalo State Sports Information
Buffalo State director of athletics Renee Carlineo has announced the hiring of former Bengals' All-American triple jumper Jessica Williams (nee Walker) as the school's head men's and women's cross country and track and field coach.
Williams was a standout student-athlete with Buffalo State's track and field program from 2008-2012. She earned All-America honors placing fourth in the triple jump at the 2010 NCAA indoor championships. She was a six-time SUNYAC Champion in the triple and long jumps and also earned All-SUNYAC honors in the hurdles. She still holds the school record in the outdoor triple jump with a mark of 12.19 meters and was a significant contributor to the Bengals' three indoor team SUNYAC Championships in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
Williams returned to her high school alma mater the Aquinas Institute in Rochester to coach track and field for two seasons, including serving as the head coach in 2016. She also served as an assistant coach at SUNY Brockport and volunteered as a youth sprint coach with Flower City Track.
Williams also worked three years as a personal trainer and along with her husband founded Carrying Hands Transportation, LLC, a non-emergency medical and livery service.
In August of 2013, Williams was invited to an on-ice Bobsled and Skeleton school in Lake Placid, NY. As a result, she was selected by Don Hass, Lake Placid Development Coach, as a member of the US Skeleton Olympic Development Team. She was one of three athletes, the only African American female, selected for the 2014 Skeleton development program.
She completed her bachelor's degree from Buffalo State in 2012 with a dual degree in chemistry and forensic chemistry. During her time as an undergraduate student at Buffalo State, she also served as a resident assistant and orientation leader and was the 2010 Homecoming Queen and the 2010 Vice President and Dean of Students Good Samaritan Award winner.
