Head coach Geoff Masanet announced the addition of Crystal Pettigrew prior to the 2025-26 academic year. Pettigrew joins the two programs as an assistant coach.
"We are really lucky to have Crystal at Loyola," Masanet said. "She has infectious enthusiasm, strong professionalism and attention to detail, and has quickly established a great rapport with the team. I am excited to see what our sprinters, hurdlers and jumpers can accomplish under her leadership.
In her first season with the track and field program, she guided four individuals to the NAIA Indoor National Championship and five to the outdoor national meet. After Ollie Brumfield IV became the SSAC Indoor Champion in the 60-meter hurdles, he finished 13th in the 200-meter dash at the indoor national championship. Tenosh Landry competed in both national events for the high jump event, placing 10th at the outdoor meet and 13th in indoor. She was also crowned SSAC Champion at the outdoor meet for her efforts in the high jump. Caleb Curry also competed in both NAIA championships, taking 10th in the outdoor 400-meter hurdles and 20th in the indoor 600-meter. Jordyn Minor took 22nd in the long jump competition at the NAIA Indoor National Championship, and the men's outdoor 4x400-meter relay team of Curry, Brumfield, Landon Dixon and Jermaine McGhee finished 18th. A total of 15 program records were broken between the two teams under Pettigrew as well.
Pettigrew joined the Wolf Pack after serving as an assistant track and field and cross country coach at Spalding University in Louisville, Kentucky. During her time with the Golden Eagles, she helped develop training programs that led to school records and personal bests across multiple sprint and jump events. She also implemented a new strength and conditioning program that contributed to the school's first-ever female national qualifier.
A record-holding long jumper at Meridian Community College in 2015, Pettigrew brings experience as both a coach and athlete. She earned her Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Entrepreneurship from the University of Pikeville and a bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus in Biology from the University of West Alabama. She is also a USATF Certified Level 1 Coach.
"I am grateful for the opportunity to join such a respected and ambitious program," Pettigrew said. "The commitment to excellence within the Wolf Pack is clear, and I'm highly motivated to get started and play a part in developing our talented student-athletes."
