Benedict Tigers Announces Three Staff Additions To Athletic Department

COLUMBIA, South Carolina – The Benedict College athletic department has announced three staff additions, said Willie Washington, Director of Athletics.

Joining the Tigers are Bridget Jones as Assistant Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator; Tiffani Hall as Head Athletic Trainer; and Michael Ellis as an offensive line coach for the football team.

"We are excited about our new staff joining the Benedict athletic program," Washington said. "I have known Ms. Jones for a long time and she will be a tremendous asset to our athletic program. Miss Hall will lead our athletic training operations and brings a great deal of experience. And we are glad to have Mr. Ellis back on our football staff and will help lift our team to new heights."

Jones is no stranger to Benedict College. Prior to joining the athletic department, she spent 5 ½ years as the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, 10 years as Director of Community Life and two years as Director of Student Financial Services. For 15 years, she has volunteered as a Special Assistant to the Director of Athletics.

Her responsibilities will include overseeing internal and external financial reporting functions, fundraising and development activities, special projects, and student services. She will also be charged with overseeing the athletic enhancement program, which services over 275 student-athletes and serve as a liaison to various campus and off-campus offices. Ms. Jones will manage all women's sports and assist with the overall operations of the Athletic Department. In this role, she will also strengthen relationships with the NCAA and increase local and state business relations with the Benedict College athletic program.

Jones earned her Bachelor's degree in business with honors from Jackson State University in 1987 and her Master's in business administration (M.B.A.) from Jackson State University in 1995.

Hall joins Benedict after serving at Alabama State University, where she spent two years as an Athletic Trainer and interim Head Athletic Trainer. Prior to that, she worked as an athletic trainer at Eagles Landing Christian Academy in Atlanta, and an assistant athletic trainer at Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Fla.

She earned her Bachelor of Science in biology from Morgan State University, then continued her education with a Master of Science in sport injury management from Life University, a Master of Science in athletic training from Florida International University and a Doctor of Business Administration in Healthcare Management (DHA) from California Intercontinental University in Los Angeles.

Ellis joins the football program as an offensive line coach, a position he held at Benedict from 2008-2011. Prior to returning to Benedict, he was an offensive line coach with the Metro City Bounty Hunters. He also served as an offensive line coach at Concordia College in Alabama, and spent five years as an offensive line coach at Alcorn State University, his alma mater. He earned a Bachelor's degree in communications from Alcorn State in 1995 and was a member of the football team, earning first team Sheridan Black College All-American honors in 1994.

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