Brigitte Valentine enters her fifth season as the pole vault coach for the University of Sioux Falls men's and women's track & field programs in 2026-27. One of the most accomplished student-athletes in program history, Valentine has brought championship experience and technical expertise to the Cougar coaching staff, helping develop conference-caliber vaulters while continuing USF's tradition of excellence in the event.
Valentine completed her fourth season with the Cougars in 2025-26, highlighted by Peyton Hanson's runner-up finish in the women's pole vault at the NSIC Outdoor Championships. Hanson cleared 3.64 meters to earn All-NSIC honors under Valentine's mentorship. Beyond competition, her athletes played a key role in another outstanding academic year for the program, which included 31 NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence honorees, 16 NSIC All-Academic selections, and NSIC Elite 18 Award winner Collin Dingsor.
Since joining the USF coaching staff, Valentine has continued to build upon the program's tradition of success in the pole vault, helping athletes achieve personal-best marks and conference podium finishes through her technical instruction and firsthand championship experience.
A 2014 University of Sioux Falls graduate and member of the USF Athletics Hall of Fame, Valentine is widely regarded as one of the greatest track and field athletes in school history. She became the first individual national champion in USF athletics history by capturing the NAIA national championship in the women's pole vault in 2011. Following the university's transition to NCAA Division II, she added another national title by winning the NCAA Division II women's pole vault championship in 2014, becoming one of the few athletes in collegiate history to win national championships at both the NAIA and NCAA Division II levels.
Her legacy as a student-athlete, combined with her passion for teaching the event, has made Valentine an invaluable member of the Cougar coaching staff and a mentor to the next generation of USF pole vaulters.
USF Records and Accomplishments
- Coached one NSIC All-Conference pole vaulter
- Mentored one NSIC runner-up finisher in the women's pole vault
- Coached one Dave & Buster's USF Athlete of the Week honoree
- Contributed to 31 NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence selections
- Helped mentor 16 NSIC All-Academic honorees
- Contributed to one NSIC Elite 18 Award recipient
- USF Athletics Hall of Fame inductee
- First individual national champion in USF athletics history
- 2011 NAIA National Champion in the women's pole vault
- 2014 NCAA Division II National Champion in the women's pole vault
Updated 6/18/2026
