STEVENS POINT, Wis. – Brett Witt, former Pointers All-American and son of UW-Stevens Point head men's cross country, track & field coach Rick Witt, has been named the associate head coach of the UW-Stevens Point program, Director of Athletics Daron Montgomery announced Monday.

Rick Witt will transition into the head coach for both the men's and women's cross country and track & field programs, necessitated by the departure of head women's coach Megan Woloszyn. Brett Witt will assist with all aspects of the six teams. In addition to day-to-day duties, Brett will also assume the role of recruiting coordinator for the men's and women's programs.

"Coming home to coach at Stevens Point is a dream come true," said Brett Witt. "Ever since I decided I wanted to coach my junior year of college, my dream job was to lead the program I grew up supporting as a kid and ultimately ran for as a college athlete.

 "I would like to thank Carthage College, the track and field coaches still there and especially the athletic director, Dr. Bob Bonn, for 15 great years. Dr. Bonn gave me my start in coaching right out of graduate school and had the confidence in my abilities to promote me twice and I will always be grateful to him for that."

Brett '98, a member of the UW-Stevens Point's Athletic Hall of Fame, ran cross country and track for his father when he was in college, with great success. He was an eight-time U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-American and a five-time Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champion, as well as a U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic pick.

After graduating from UWSP, Brett went on to the University of Tennessee for graduate school and most recently completed his 12th year as head coach of Carthage cross country and ninth as head coach of their track & field programs.

"When we found out Coach Woloszyn was leaving, our number one goal was to make sure that we found someone who could make a seamless transition, with cross country just weeks away," said Montgomery. "Brett's successful coaching experience and passion for UW-Stevens Point, in addition to his familiarity with our program, makes him perfectly equipped to hit the ground running."

"The addition of Brett to the Pointer program is a win-win for both UW-Stevens Point track & field/cross country and me personally," said Rick Witt. "Brett grew up part of the Pointers family and 'bleeds' purple and gold."

Coaching is a Family Affair for the Witts
In 2012, the Witts became what is believed to be the first father-son coaching combination to have student-athletes win a national championship at the same NCAA Division III Track & Field Championship. UWSP's Dan Sullivan (Elkhorn, WI/Elkhorn) earned the Pointers' 22nd track & field national title in the men's 1500-meter run while Carthage's Trevor James took home the high jump title.

In the 1990's, Rick Witt experienced one of his life-long goals; coaching his sons Brett and Chad. Now, after 36 years with the Pointers, he will get to coach alongside Brett.

 "As a youngster, he [Brett] spent countless hours at Pointers track & field meets, before becoming a standout Pointer athlete," said the elder Witt. "I know that coming back as a coach of the Pointers was one of his dream goals.

"His passion for the Pointers, along with coaching experience and knowledge will be a big boost as we strive to make Pointers track & field/cross country the top program in both the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and Division III."

While he has some big, and colorful, shoes to fill, Brett is eager to rejoin the Pointers family.

"I couldn't be more excited," Brett said of the opportunity to coach the Pointers with his dad. "How many people get to do the job they love, at the place they love, alongside their father?"

"For me personally to have the opportunity to work alongside not only one of the best young coaches in the country, but my son as well is a dream come true," said Rick. "It will also be much more fun coaching with Brett than coaching against him. It's a great day to be a Pointer!"