ORANGEBURG, S.C. — South Carolina State University head track and field/cross country coach Donald Cooper has announced the promotion of Savionna R. Glover to associate head coach for the Bulldogs' men's and women's track and field/cross country programs.

Glover, who enters her third season with the Bulldogs, previously served as an assistant coach overseeing the jumps program while assisting with sprints and multi-events. Her promotion comes following two successful seasons highlighted by Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championships, NCAA regional qualifiers, conference records and numerous podium finishes.

"Coach Glover has been an incredible addition to our coaching staff from day one, and her impact on this program extends far beyond the track," Cooper said. "She has played an instrumental role in helping us elevate our program both athletically and operationally. Her commitment to developing student-athletes, attention to detail and ability to produce championship-level performances have been invaluable to our success. This promotion reflects the confidence I have in her leadership and her ability to help take South Carolina State track and field to even greater heights."

During the 2025-26 season, Glover played a significant role in the Bulldogs' success in the jumping events, guiding several student-athletes to conference championships, school recognition and NCAA postseason competition.

Among her notable accomplishments was coaching senior Christopher Washington to the 2026 MEAC indoor men's long jump championship and a berth in the NCAA East First Round.

Glover also guided freshman Sanaii Gaines to the 2026 MEAC outdoor women's long jump championship, where Gaines established a conference record and earned a berth in the NCAA East First Round.

Additional highlights included coaching freshman Tajhana South to a runner-up finish in the women's triple jump at the 2026 MEAC Indoor Championships and freshman Naomi Johnson to a bronze-medal performance in the women's long jump at the MEAC Outdoor Championships.

In 2025, Glover helped guide a Bulldog student-athlete to a runner-up finish in the women's high jump at the MEAC Indoor Championships. Her athletes have also contributed several valuable points in conference championship competition.

"I am truly honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve as associate head coach at South Carolina State University," Glover said in a proposed statement. "I appreciate Coach Cooper for his trust, leadership and belief in my ability to help move this program forward. Working with our student-athletes and witnessing their growth both on and off the track has been extremely rewarding. I look forward to embracing this new leadership role, continuing to develop championship-caliber athletes and helping build a program that represents South Carolina State with pride, excellence and integrity."

In her expanded role, Glover will continue directing the Bulldogs' jumps program while assuming additional administrative and leadership responsibilities.

Her new responsibilities will include:

• Serving as recruiting coordinator for the men's and women's programs.
• Serving as meet director for designated home competitions.
• Overseeing the planning and administration of track and field camps.
• Assisting Cooper with training and programming across all event areas.
• Supporting team travel coordination and equipment management.
• Serving as a liaison for student-athlete housing, academics and sports medicine.

Before joining South Carolina State, Glover served as an athletic administrator and assistant track coach at Savannah State University from August 2023 to August 2024. During her tenure, she helped coach the 2024 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) decathlon champion and the conference runner-up in the women's outdoor long jump.

Her responsibilities at Savannah State also included coordinating practices and meets, assisting with student-athlete mentoring, academic support and career development, and managing various athletic administrative operations.

Prior to Savannah State, Glover spent a season as an assistant track and field coach at Bethune-Cookman University. During the 2023 campaign, she helped develop an NCAA East First Round qualifier in the men's high jump and a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) indoor bronze medalist in the same event.

At Bethune-Cookman, she also assisted with recruiting, practice preparation, team travel, academic support and relationship-building with program supporters.

A native of St. Helena Island, South Carolina, Glover is a former collegiate track and field student-athlete at Benedict College. She earned her bachelor's degree in sports management in 2021 and her master's degree in sports management in 2022.

Glover holds a USA Track & Field Level 1 coaching certification and a USTFCCCA Jumping Event Specialist certification, which she earned in December 2025 during the association's annual coaches convention.

Her promotion strengthens the Bulldogs' coaching leadership as South Carolina State continues building on its recent conference championship success and NCAA postseason appearances.

Glover's Coaching Accomplishments
South Carolina State University (2024-present)

• 2025 MEAC indoor women's high jump runner-up.
• 2026 MEAC indoor women's triple jump runner-up.
• 2026 MEAC indoor men's long jump champion.
• 2026 MEAC outdoor women's long jump champion and conference record holder.
• 2026 MEAC outdoor women's long jump bronze medalist.
• Two 2026 NCAA East First Round qualifiers in the men's and women's long jump.
• Multiple MEAC conference championship scorers.

Savannah State University (2023-24)

• 2024 SIAC decathlon champion.
• 2024 SIAC outdoor women's long jump runner-up.

Bethune-Cookman University (2022-23)

• 2023 NCAA East First Round qualifier in the men's high jump.
• 2023 SWAC indoor men's high jump bronze medalist.

About SC State Athletics
South Carolina State University competes at the NCAA Division I level and is a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). The Bulldogs are committed to excellence in academics, athletics and community engagement while providing student-athletes opportunities to develop as competitors, scholars and leaders.

For additional information on South Carolina State track and field/cross country and other Bulldog athletic programs, visit www.scsuathletics.com.