The Phoenix Are Rising As Florida Poly Enters College Athletics Landscape
Introducing: Soccer | Archery | Basketball | Cross Country | Baseball/ Softball
Florida Polytechnic University, recognized for its high-quality STEM programs and research, is elevating the student experience with the launch of Florida Poly Athletics, a new collegiate athletics program.
Florida Poly Athletics is launching soccer, cross-country, basketball, baseball and softball.
“For a student to be successful, they have to be committed and excel in the classroom while having an experience outside the classroom that helps them grow into the well-rounded, successful, impactful leaders we know they can be upon graduation,” said Bryan Brooks, vice president of student affairs, enrollment management and strategic communications. “That’s where athletics comes in.”
Derek Lower, director of athletics and recreation for Florida Poly, said expansion of the university’s athletic footprint should increase student pride and create a more connected university community.
“We know our students love being a Phoenix, but athletics takes that pride deeper. It will make our students bleed Poly Purple whenever we get that game-day experience. Competition always brings out the best in everybody.”
Lower said the program is initially expected to bring up to 150 student-athletes to campus, many of whom may not have considered the University otherwise.
One of the athletic departments’ first hires was Mike Settle, who it named as its first-ever softball coach.
Settle has deep Polk County roots and joins Florida Poly after a long and successful coaching career at Lake Wales High School, where he spent 20 years coaching multiple sports and served as head softball coach for the last 11 years, compiling a record of 186-106.
“It is a fantastic opportunity to build a program from the ground up,” Settle said. “I’m lucky to be able to get up every day and do something that I love, coaching.”
Another familiar name to local sports fans is also on board as a head coach.
Florida Poly hired Stephanie Bylander as its inaugural head coach for the men’s and women’s cross country programs.
Having been the head coach of Florida Southern College’s women’s cross country and track programs for eight seasons she brings deep local knowledge, strong recruiting relationship, and a track record of building successful teams in the region.
“I’m leaving a very successful program at Florida Southern, where we’re on a streak of setting school records, and I wouldn’t leave that if I didn’t completely believe in where this program can go,” Bylander said. “As new coaches, we each can create the program we’ve always envisioned we might have one day.”
Academic excellence will remain the University’s top priority, Brooks added.
“We’re going to keep the academic quality at its highest, and we’re going to get really, really good at finding STEM athletes who are great at their sports,” he said.
The development of Florida Poly Athletics was driven by strong student input and long-standing interest from prospective students eager for a more vibrant campus experience.
Florida Poly Athletics is currently in discussions with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the Sun Conference, with plans to join both. Other Polk County schools in the conference include Southeastern University, Weber International University and Warner University.
Stephanie Bylander
Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Head Coach
Stay up to date on the Phoenix at: Athletics.floridapoly.edu
Mike Settle
Head Softball Coach