Florida Polytechnic University has appointed Stephanie Bylander as the first head coach for its new cross-country teams. Bylander previously coached at Florida Southern College for 11 years, leading successful women's programs.
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Florida Polytechnic University has named Stephanie Bylander as the inaugural head coach for its menâs and womenâs cross-country teams as the university prepares to launch athletics this fall.
Bylander joins Florida Poly after 11 years at Florida Southern College, where she spent eight seasons leading the womenâs cross-country and track programs.
University officials said her hiring marks a major step as Florida Poly builds out its new athletics department, which will also debut baseball, softball, soccer and basketball programs.
âIâm leaving a very successful program at Florida Southern, where weâre on a streak of setting school records, and I wouldnât leave that if I didnât completely believe in where this program can go,â Bylander said in a statement.
Bylander competed collegiately at Adams State University, where she earned 10 All-American honors in cross country and track while studying exercise science.
Florida Poly athletic director Derek Lower said Bylander has already helped secure the programâs first commitment and is connecting with incoming recruits.
âWeâre super enthusiastic about Stephanie being here as one of our first coaches,â Lower said. âShe brings an incredible level of expertise and knowledge.â
Bylander said the chance to help build a program from scratch appealed to her, especially at a university focused on STEM education.
âOur new athletes are going to be pioneers for us,â she said. âThey now have a chance that didnât really exist before, allowing them to study engineering without giving up running.â
Florida Poly officials said the new athletics program is designed to give students an opportunity to compete while pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and math.
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Stephanie Bylander has been named the inaugural head coach for Florida Polytechnic University's men's and women's cross-country teams.
Bylander has 11 years of coaching experience at Florida Southern College, where she led the women's cross-country and track programs.
Florida Polytechnic University is also launching baseball, softball, soccer, and basketball programs as part of its new athletics department.
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