A fixture with the John Carroll University Cross Country and Track & Field program since 2014, Jake Alexander has been promoted to Associate Head Men and Women's Track and Field and Assistant Men and Women's Cross Country Coach effective for the 2018-19 academic year.
Alexander, who was recently honored by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) as the Men's Track & Field Assistant Coach of the Year for the Great Lakes Region for his efforts during the 2018 outdoor season, has been part of three award winning staffs during his first four seasons. He was a member of the John Carroll staff that was honored as the conference Men's Track & Field Staff of the Year at the 2018 OAC Indoor Track & Field Championships, and was also honored in both 2015 and 2016 as a member of John Carroll's OAC Staff of the Year in women's cross country.
"Jake has been instrumental in our program's success and continual improvement over the last four years," said JCU Track & Field/Cross Country head coach Kyle Basista. "His ability to recruit, coach, motivate and mentor our student-athletes at the highest level has not gone unnoticed. This elevated position is much warranted as I believe he has developed into one of the best coaches in the country. We are excited for what the future holds for Jake and our program as a whole."
Alexander's duties will include serving as the head recruiting coordinator for all the programs he is associated with, and will also specialize in working with sprints, hurdles and relays for track & field. Among his protégés is Hayden Snow, who was named the 2018 Harrison Dillard Most Outstanding Sprint Athlete Award recipient at the Ohio Athletic Conference Championships.
A 2013 graduate of Grand Valley State University, Alexander competed in both sprints and hurdles. He was a five-time All-GLIAC performer. As a team Grand Valley State won seven out of eight GLIAC conference championships during his career. As a senior, Alexander was a team captain for the Lakers. He graduated with a degree in history.
As a volunteer coach at GVSU, Alexander assisted with hurdles, sprints, and jumps. Twenty of his charges earned All-American status. Additionally, 22 of his student-athletes had national qualifying times.
Alexander assisted with Grand Valley State’s recruiting efforts including conducting on-campus and off-campus visits.
