Salem College

Salem Director of Athletics J.J. Antoine restored the cross country program in the summer 2023, with the addition of Alyssa Bozak as the head coach.

Bozak, who graduated from Salem College in 2018, takes over a program that last competed during the 2019 campaign. Bozak, a four-year member of the program, joined the Salem Department of Athletics after spending just over five years in the Admissions Department.

Along with her role as head coach of the cross country program, Bozak will serve as the oversight for the Salem SAAC. 

Bozak competed in 10 meets for the Spirits during the course of the 2016 and 2017 seasons, earning her highest finish (31st) at the Greensboro Cross Country Invitational on September 30, 2017. It was there that she posted her best 5k time (27:52). Her best 6k time came almost a month later, at the USA South Championship, where she crossed the line in a time of 33:40.

After graduating from Salem College with a Bachelor of Arts in both biology and music in May 2018, Bozak became an Admissions Counselor two months later. In January 2020, Bozak was elevated to position of Administrative Assistant to the Associate Director of Admissions. With that position she worked directly with alumni, compiled numbers and statistics on incoming classes and mapped out the next academic year by planning and organizing prospective student events.

Two months later, in March 2020, Bozak became the Senior Admissions Counselor, where her focus was travel throughout the country to attend multiple national college fairs to promote and recruit incoming Salem College students. She was the oversight for Admissions Counselors, served as the Admissions Office-Department of Athletics liaison, organized on-campus events for prospective students and assisted in the decision-making process for potential Salem College students.

During her time as a student at Salem College, Bozak served as a Resident Assistant, where she helped new and returning students adapt to the college lifestyle.