Karly Brautigam has served as Director of Track & Field and Cross Country at the University of Minnesota Duluth since 2021, where she has rapidly elevated the Bulldogs’ sprint programs, leading to eight school records in the 2024–25 season alone. She guided the women’s cross country team to its first NCAA Division II Championship appearance since 2017 and has led both track and field programs to consistent top-five finishes in the NSIC.

Prior to UMD, Brautigam coached at Macalester College, Cornell College, and the University of Sioux Falls, mentoring multiple All-Americans and conference champions while also serving in athletic administration and leadership roles. A former All-American at Wartburg College, she was part of eight conference and four NCAA championship teams during her collegiate career.

Some topics students might want to discuss include:

-The path to a career in collegiate coaching/sports 

-The value of women in sports and in leadership positions 

-Life skills that can be gained from sports participation