The Northwood University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics has announced the hiring of Josh Stryker as the Head Coach of the Timberwolves Men’s and Women’s Track and Field/Cross Country programs.

He replaces Scott Cook, who recently resigned to take over as the head coach of the Davenport Cross Country program.

"I am very excited about returning to Northwood," said Stryker. "I look forward to building from the foundation that Scott Cook set for our programs."

Stryker is very familiar with Northwood, both as an athlete and as a coach. As an assistant coach for the Timberwolves from 2003-06, Stryker worked primarily with Northwood’s sprinters and jumpers. Northwood set a total of 16 school records during Stryker’s tenure. He was the primary coach for NU All-Americans Josh Weber and James Morley. Stryker also mentored Danielle Miller, who was ranked as high as second nationally in the 200 meters and was selected to compete in three events at the national championships. The Timberwolves qualified for the NCAA-II Championships in 16 different sprint, relay and hurdle events in Stryker’s time as coach. The squad also claimed seven league individual titles in those areas.

Stryker returns to Northwood after spending the past few months as an assistant at Ferris State University for the Cross Country and Indoor Track and Field teams. He helped the women’s indoor track team to its highest finish in program history at the NCAA Division II Indoor Championships (15th - 11 points). Stryker coached thrower Kamitra Carroll to All-America honors in a pair of events - the weight throw (second) and the shot put (sixth).

As an athlete at Northwood, Stryker was a part of both the track and cross country programs. He was a two-time NCAA Division II All-America selection in the 800 meters and the 4x400-meter relay during his collegiate career. He won back-to-back conference championships in the 800 meters and was a member of the school’s GLIAC Championship 4x400-meter relay squad. Stryker also earned GLIAC All-Academic Team honors and served as a team captain.

Stryker is still active in track competitions, running both track and field along with road races for the Front Line Racing Team. He was a member of the team’s distance medley relay team 2005 USA Track and Field (USATF) Indoor National Championships.

Stryker graduated from Northwood with a bachelor’s degree in economics/management. A native of Byron Center, Stryker competed in football, basketball and track during his prep career. The 1998 BCHS graduate attained all-conference, all-area and Grand Rapids Press Second Team laurels as a football player for the Bulldogs in 1997. He also qualified for the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) State Track and Field Championships in 1998.