Bayley Announced as Women’s Head Cross Country Coach
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.- Director of track and field Bryan Fetzer announced Priscilla Bayley as the women’s head cross country and assistant track and field coach on Friday (July 20).
“I’m thrilled to bring Priscilla aboard our staff,” Fetzer said. “She will make an immediate impact in numerous ways. I’ve had the opportunity to work with Priscilla at Harvard. She has an enthusiasm and ability to get the most out of individuals. I know she is ready to hit the ground running.”
Bayley served as an assistant coach for Cal Poly from 2014-17 before being promoted to head women’s cross country coach in 2017. She led the women’s cross country program in back-to-back Big West Conference titles in 2015 and 2016 and the men’s cross country team to a conference championship in 2016. Additionally, the Mustangs recorded the top male and female runner at the 2016 Best West Conference Championships. Under Bayley’s leadership, the program recorded one cross country All-American honor and two track and field All-American honors.
Serving as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for Harvard from 2011-14, Bayley coached the women’s cross country program to its first NCAA Championships appearance in 29 years. The team advanced to the national meet in 2012 after placing fourth at the Northeast Regional Championships, recording the team’s best finish in program history. In 2013, the women’s cross country team recorded its first appearance on the USTFCCCA poll, ranking 27th. In her first season with the program, Bayley helped recruit the country’s No. 9 recruiting class. She helped coach Harvard to three Ivy League team championships (two indoor and one outdoor) and saw her athletes set 10 track and field school records.
Prior to Harvard, Bayley served as an assistant coach at Santa Clara from 2010-11. She coached three All-West Coast Conference honorees. The men’s cross country program finished third at the 2010 West Coast Conference Championships, the program’s best finish since 2007, while the women’s team placed fourth in the meet.
Bayley coached at Saint Mary’s College as an assistant coach from 2009-10.
She began her coaching career in 2006 with the Buffalo Chips Running Team in Sacramento, Calif., working with the program for three years. Bayley coached the women’s junior program to three national club cross country team championships and recorded 39 junior Olympic All-Americans and one U.S. World Team qualifier.
“I am truly grateful to Coach Fetzer for this opportunity and for supporting me through the years,” Bayley said. “I am absolutely elated to join such an accomplished staff and look forward to contributing towards the momentum here within the University of Virginia cross country and track and field programs.”
Bayley has a double major from UC Davis in communication and Chicano studies.
Quote from Bayley’s former student-athlete:
Morgan Kelly
Set a Harvard record in the 3000m and 5000m runs/ 2013 All-Ivy Cross Country Team honoree
Harvard (Class of 2014) | UVA (Class of 2015)
“I have been fortunate enough to train under the direction of some truly incredible coaches, but Priscilla Bayley played the strongest role in my development as an athlete. I credit her entirely for my athletic success at Harvard. Priscilla saw potential in all of her athletes, not just the top recruits. She inspired us to recognize this potential in ourselves and work hard to exceed the expectations that we had been held to traditionally. It was Coach Bayley who led the women’s cross country team to cross country nationals for the first time in 29 years. One of the things I loved most about Priscilla Bayley was her commitment to supporting me as both an athlete and a student. She showed me that it is possible to truly excel in a sport and enjoy the process of doing so, and for that, I will forever be grateful.”