Florida Polytechnic University has officially named Stephanie Bylander as the inaugural head coach for its men’s and women’s cross-country teams. The announcement, made on April 23, 2026, marks a significant milestone as the university prepares to launch its first-ever collegiate athletics program this fall.
Bylander is a well-known figure in the Lakeland sports community, bringing over a decade of local experience to the new position.
Key Details of the Appointment
- Previous Tenure: Bylander spent 11 years at Florida Southern College (FSC) in Lakeland, serving as the head coach for the women’s cross-country and track programs for the last eight seasons.
- Track Record: At FSC, she led her teams to seven top-five finishes in the Sunshine State Conference and developed 11 All-South Region individual honors.
- Athletic Background: She was a 10-time All-American student-athlete at Adams State University and a member of two NCAA Division II National Champion teams.
Launching Florida Poly Athletics
The cross-country program is part of a broader push by Florida Poly to integrate competitive sports with its rigorous STEM-focused curriculum.
- Inaugural Sports: Along with cross-country, the university is debuting programs in baseball, softball, soccer, and basketball for the 2026-2027 academic year.
- Conference Outlook: The university is currently in discussions with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the Sun Conference for future membership.
- Recruitment Strategy: Bylander has already secured the program’s first commitment and emphasized that the new program offers a unique opportunity for student-athletes to pursue elite engineering and science degrees without having to give up competitive running.
This hire follows the recent appointment of Derek Lower as Florida Poly’s first athletic director, signaling that the university’s transition into collegiate sports is moving at a fast pace for its scheduled fall debut.