CLARKSVILLE - Austin Peay State University track and field head coach Doug Molnar has named Valerie Brown, a 2009 NCAA Indoor All-American, as his assistant coach, effective immediately.

Brown, a 2009 graduate of Western Kentucky, will provide assistance with the Lady Govs sprints program. She has extensive knowledge in the sprints after a career that began at the junior college level, led to All-American honors and ultimately to a professional career.

"Valerie has a great background in the sprints and she should have an immediate impact on our program," said Molnar. "She is not only a great young coach but also will serve as a role model of what is possible. Valerie went from working at a fast-food restaurant to a junior college then to Division I then a professional. She has an amazing story and a will to win. I believe all of our athletes can learn from that."

"I am glad to have the opportunity Coach Molnar has provided," said Brown. "I hope to make an immediate impact on the program through our recruiting. I also am hopeful I can help Austin Peay continue building towards an Ohio Valley Conference Championship. I want to help Coach Molnar develop young ladies who are successful both on the track, in the classroom and in life."

Brown, an Albany, Ga., native, had an impressive career at Western Kentucky which she capped with a third-place finish in the 400-meter dash at the 2009 NCAA Indoor Championships. She was the second indoor All-American in Hilltopper history with the finish. Brown also set the program's indoor 400-meter record with a time of 52.74 seconds in the semifinals of the championship.

That performance was the tip of the iceberg for Brown, who was named the Most Outstanding Female Track Athlete at the 2009 Sun Belt Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships after winning both the 200- and 400-meter dash events.  One year prior, in the 2008 SBC indoor championship, she won the 400-meter dash and finished fourth in the 200-meter event.

During the 2008 outdoor season, Brown was a member of the Hilltoppers 1600-meter relay team that finished the season ranked 16th nationally after finishing fourth in that season's Mideast regional. Individually, she won the 400-meter dash, was a runner-up in the 200-meter dash and was a member of the SBC champion 1600-meter team.

It was the second consecutive season she was a member of a Sun Belt champion relay team after running as a member of the 2007 team's 1600- and 400- meter relay teams that won their respective events during the 2007 SBC Outdoor Championship.

Brown graduated in 2009 with a bachelor's degree in visual communication and she is currently pursuing her master's degree. She replaces Troy Morris as assistant coach.

-AP-