College of Charleston assistant track and field coach Chad Williams was invited to participate in the United States Track and Field/U.S. Olympic Committee (USATF/USOC) Emerging Elite Coaches Men's and Women's Learn by Doing Track and Field Training Camp to be held July 18-23.

The camp, being held at the United States Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif., is designed for coaches who have had success coaching athletes at the state and national levels.  The program involves intensive science-based study and hands on application in several different areas.  The camp is for coaches seeking advanced information, strategies and tactics, with an eye towards elevating their coaching and taking their athletes to the elite level.

“This is a tremendous honor for me,” said Williams.  “This is a highly selective program and will give me more info on how to take our student athletes to the next level.”

The camp that Williams will attend focuses on the horizontal and vertical jumps, as well as the throws.

Williams was instrumental in CofC's Emily Smith's success this season, which led in part to his nomination for this camp.  Smith capped a tremendous season for the Cougars and was the Southern Conference Indoor Track and Field Freshman of the Year, as well as a member of the All-Freshman team for the outdoor season.  She qualified for the regional after clearing 1.75 meters to win the High jump in the SoCon tournament.  Her eighth place finish at the NCAA Regional was just .04 meters from advancing her to the NCAA national meet.

Williams also helped in the signing of incoming freshman Chelsea Taylor, who was the AAA State Champion in the pole vault for two years and participated in three Junior Olympics, as well as Jelain McArthur who was the state champion in the triple jump and runner-up in both the hurdles and long jump.

“Not only will this camp help me to become a better coach, it will help me with the student-athletes.  What I learn will carry over to all positions, not just with the jumps.”

Williams was nominated by USATF High Jump Chairman Dave Kerin.