Hayden Bunnell ’11 Named Head Coach for Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field
St. Johnsbury Academy is proud to announce that Hayden Bunnell ’11 has been named Head Coach of the Boys’ and Girls’ Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field programs.
A former Academy athlete returning to lead the programs where his own athletic journey began, Bunnell brings a strong background in coaching, leadership, and youth development to his new role.
Bunnell is a graduate of Colby-Sawyer College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management and a Coaching Certificate. During his time there, he was a standout student-athlete and leader, serving as a three-year captain of both the Men’s Cross Country and Track and Field teams. He was twice recognized with the Charger Men’s Outstanding Athlete of the Year Award (2012–13 and 2013–14) and was a four-time member of the Athletic Academic Honor Roll.
Bunnell’s coaching career has included success at both the high school and collegiate levels. Most recently, he served as Head Cross Country Coach at Danville High School and Co-Head Track & Field Coach at Danville Middle School, where he helped establish the school’s inaugural middle school program and guided multiple athletes to the Vermont State Championships and Meet of Champions.
Before that, Bunnell spent several years at Vermont State University–Lyndon, where he served as the Head Coach for Cross Country and track and field. There, he helped launch the university’s first Track & Field program in 2017 and led athletes to multiple North Atlantic Conference titles and All-Conference honors. He also directed the 2019 NAC Cross Country Championships, which were hosted on campus.
In addition to coaching, Bunnell has worked as a paraeducator and home care provider, supporting students with special needs, and has volunteered for over eight years with the St. Johnsbury Youth Summer Track and Field Program. He also developed and ran a local youth cross-country camp as part of his high school capstone project.
Bunnell holds professional certifications, including USATF Level 2 Endurance Coaching and USATF Cross Country Specialist Certification, as well as CPR/AED/First Aid certification from the American Heart Association.
With the winter sports season ready to begin on December 1, Hayden is excited to get going. “I thank Patrick for giving me this opportunity. I’m looking forward to coaching here at St. Johnsbury Academy. I always love being involved in the sport, especially as a coach, and to do it at my high school alma mater will be great! I am looking forward to building relationships and working with the student-athletes, coaches, and athletic administration to continue the success of the track & field program.
Athletic Director Patrick Rainville mirrors that excitement. “Hilltopper Athletics looks forward to Hayden’s leadership of both the Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field programs. His track record speaks for itself, and we are excited to see him lead the program he once enjoyed as a Hilltopper student-athlete.”
