ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. – The Bard College Department of Athletics and Recreation elevated Reed Williams to the role of Head Men's and Women's Cross-Country and Track & Field Coach, it was announced Friday. 

Williams was the department's Interim Head Cross-Country Coach this fall, during which time he helped grow the rosters of both the men's and women's cross-country teams and saw nearly every runner set new PRs. He originally joined the department in fall 2022 in the role of Assistant Cross-Country and Track & Field Coach.

"It is an honor and a pleasure to have the opportunity to be the Head Coach of this team," said Williams. "I am extremely proud of the current student-athletes, and I look forward to facilitating the growth of this program in the seasons to come. Together, we are going to create a fiercely competitive group, while always maintaining an inclusive and welcoming space for any athlete who is willing to offer their commitment to our goals."

Among Williams' coaching achievements this season were strong individual and team performances, including second place at the SUNY New Paltz Invitational and third at the Hampshire Founding Tree Invitational for the women's team, and third in both meets for the men's team. He also helped to host the Fred Pavlich Invitational, in which nearly 300 runners, including many nationally-ranked individuals and teams, competed at the beautiful Montgomery Place on Bard's campus.

"In his time in our department, Reed has demonstrated himself to be an exceptional coach, administrator, educator, and mentor to the members of the cross-country and track & field teams," said David Lindholm, Director of Athletics and Recreation. "It was clear that the student-athletes were eager to continue learning from Reed, and our staff have been impressed with his knowledge, professionalism, and dedication. We're thrilled that Reed has accepted the position and we're excited for the future of these programs under his stewardship."

Williams is a proud transgender athlete who still runs competitively with his team, Transcenders, a group of transgender and non-binary athletes working to make athletics a more inclusive space through community, competition, and visibility. 

As a former student-athlete at SUNY New Paltz, Williams was an NCAA National Championships individual qualifier in 2019, and an All-Region athlete in 2018 and 2019. Within the SUNYAC conference, he was recognized both academically and athletically throughout his collegiate career, with highlights including First-Team All-SUNYAC in 2019, and SUNYAC Elite-20 award recipient in 2018, 2019, and 2021.