JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Sep. 1, 2026) - ETSU Director of Athletics Dr. Richard Sander announced on Tuesday the hiring of veteran coach Connie Teaberry as ETSU's newest Director of Track and Field and Cross Country. Teaberry comes to ETSU after 22 seasons in the same role at Northern Illinois.

"We are thrilled to welcome Coach Connie Teaberry to ETSU," said Sander. "She brings a wealth of experience, both as a coach and as an accomplished athlete, and will serve as an outstanding role model for all of our student-athletes, particularly our female student-athletes. Having competed as an Olympian and at the World Championships, she understands what it takes to perform at the highest level. We are excited to have her join ETSU and know she will be a tremendous addition to both our university and the Tri-Cities community."

"It is a great honor to be named the new director of ETSU's cross country and track and field programs," Teaberry said on Tuesday. "I'm excited to work with the staff in coaching and mentoring these talented student athletes as they strive to accomplish their goals academically, athletically, and in life. Coach [George] Watts and the staff have done a tremendous job with the program," Teaberry added. "I'm looking forward to adding my knowledge to continue the programs' success. Thank you to Dr. Noland and Dr. Sander. I will represent the ETSU campus, community, and athletic department with pride."

Teaberry built an extensive legacy in DeKalb, winning MAC Indoor Coach of the Year in 2020 and 2021 and leading her team to the 2020 MAC Cross Country and 2021 MAC Indoor Track and Field Championship titles, the first championship in each program's history. Across indoor and outdoor track and cross country, student-athletes under Teaberry's leadership captured 46 MAC championships, 11 NCAA Championship qualifications, and four All-American honors.

In addition to her collegiate coaching experience, Teaberry has also served as the women's multis and jumps coach for the United States national team at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan. She served in the same role in the 2024 World Indoor Athletics Championships in Glasgow, Scotland.

A 1992 graduate of Kansas State, Teaberry was a six-time All-American in the high jump, including all four of her outdoor seasons of competition, and won the Big Eight Conference title in 1990, 1991, and 1992. She competed in Olympic trials in 1992 and 1996 and represented the United States at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, where she finished 15th in the high jump.

Teaberry succeeds George Watts, who retired from full-time coaching earlier this summer after 14 years in the role.

For more information on ETSU track and field and cross country, go to ETSUBucs.com.