Cross Country
- Title:
- Assistant Coach - Women's Cross Country
- Email:
- abray@athletics.pitt.edu
- Phone:
- 412-648-8367
Since Adam Bray joined the Panthers’ coaching staff in January 2013, the women’s distance and cross country programs have shown great improvement across the board.
In June 2017, with coaching from Bray, Gillian Schriever became the first Pitt female distance runner to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championships since 2006, competing in the 10,000m at Historic Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. Subsequently, Schriever shattered a 25-year old school record with a time of 33:50.03 in the final. She placed 13th overall to land on the All-America second team.
Her performance at the NCAA Outdoor Championships capped a year in which she earned All-ACC first team honors in the outdoor 5000m, second team honors in the indoor 5000m, and first team honors in cross country. She was the only Pitt student-athlete to compete at two national championships in 2016-17, also participating in the 2016 NCAA Cross Country Championship in Terre Haute, Ind.
During the 2016 campaign the Panthers’s cross country team tied a program-best finish at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional in University Park, Pa., placing seventh for the second consecutive year. Schriever and Melanie Vlasic each earned All-Mid-Atlantic Region honors with top-25 placements at the meet. Earlier that season the women posted a program-best seventh place at the ACC Championship in Cary, N.C.
On the track, Bray has coached two All-ACC performers in Schriever (5000m, three times) and Kelly Hayes (3,000m steeplechase). With Bray at the helm, the Panthers have broken six school records, including the indoor mile (2017), 10,000m (2017), outdoor distance medley relay (2017), indoor distance medley relay (2016, 2017), 3,000m steeplechase (2016) and 4x1500 meters (2015). The program has continually improved under Bray’s guidance, with student-athletes achieving personal bests and qualifying for NCAA meets.
Prior to joining the Pitt staff, Bray spent the 2012 cross country season as an assistant coach at Temple University. While at Temple, Bray coached the Mid-Atlantic Region individual champion and the 2012 Mid-Atlantic Athlete of the Year, Travis Mahoney. Mahoney went on to earn All-America honors for Temple at the NCAA Championships, finishing 38th. He also guided the men's team to its best conference finish in program history and had two student-athletes earn all-conference honors.
Bray spent 2009-12 as a volunteer assistant coach at the University of Illinois and was a key contributor to many mid-distance student-athletes achieving personal records. Working with both the men’s and women’s programs at Illinois, Bray was part of a staff that finished runner-up at the 2012 Big Ten Outdoor Track and Field Championships. During Bray’s time at Illinois he worked with NCAA Champions, NCAA Qualifiers, and multiple Big Ten Champions. The Fighting Illini teams went on to finish in the top 20 at the NCAA Championships.
Prior to Illinois, Bray was a volunteer assistant coach at the University of Maryland from 2007-09. Bray was responsible for coaching the female mid-distance and distance student-athletes and helped many achieve all-conference and all-region honors.
Bray earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Akron in 2005 in exercise science/sports management. He was a four-year letter winner and a team captain for the Zips cross country and track and field teams. He earned his sports science and coaching master's degree from Akron in 2006.
Beyond the Bio
Favorite place on the University of Pittsburgh campus?
I'm not sure if this is technically on campus but Schenley Park is my favorite spot.
Favorite sports moment at Pitt?
The 2016 ACC Outdoor Championships. This was the first time we scored at the outdoor conference as a distance group. It might not seem like a big deal but I think pretty much every current female distance athlete and alum was watching that meet. I was really proud of our young women to break through that barrier.
What is your favorite thing to do in the city of Pittsburgh?
I like exploring the city and checking out all the different neighborhoods. Pittsburgh honestly has something for everyone.
What do you love most about the University of Pittsburgh?
Cathy (The Cathedral of Learning). She is the symbol of the university and I feel like everyone rallies behind her. She is always watching!
What is your favorite aspect of working in Pitt’s athletic department?
Talking and joking around with people. I like to have fun and keep things loose. Some get it more than others and that is ok. Also, talking with Kirk Bruce! His office is next to mine. He has been a great mentor and good friend to have while here at Pitt.
What do you love most about working in athletics?
Building relationships with my student-athletes. I am privileged to help them reach heights they once never thought were achievable. It's very rewarding and humbling experience.
If you could have dinner with any three people who would it be and why?
The first two would be Donna Bray and Robert Bray. They are my grandparents and passed on a few years ago. I'm not certain on the third person...most likely F.D.R.
Favorite quote?
"Down here it's just winners and losers, so don't get caught up on the wrong side of that line." - Springsteen
Hobbies outside of work?
I enjoy running, biking, bowling, hanging with friends, reading and road trips. I actually recently started growing different plants.
