York College has named Lorelei Black as its new head men’s and women’s cross country coach, Director of Athletics Carl Christian announced ahead of the 2026 season.
“We are excited to welcome Lorelei Black to the York College Athletics family as our new head men’s and women’s cross country coach. We look forward to supporting her as she leads our cross country program and provides our student-athletes with a positive and competitive experience. We are thrilled to have her join our department and look forward to what’s ahead,” said Carl Christian.
Black brings more than 20 years of experience in athletics, coaching and education to York, highlighted by her experience representing the United States in international competition. A former U.S. Track & Field athlete, Black was a semifinalist in the pole vault event at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, bringing elite competitive experience to the York cross country program.
“Stepping into this role at York means the world to me. It is not just about writing training blocks or managing meets. It is about being given the chance to pour everything I have learned as an athlete and educator back into these young men and women. York has so much heart and untapped power. To me being head coach means showing up every single day to remind these student athletes that they belong here and that their potential is massive. I want to build a family where they feel completely backed up and challenged,” said Lorelei Black.
Black emphasized the qualities she values most in student-athletes and the culture she hopes to establish within the Cardinals’ cross country program.
“A stopwatch only tells a fraction of the story. You can build speed with time but you cannot teach character.
I look for three things above all else:
Real grit: I want people who do not run away when training gets tough. The athletes who show up on cold rainy mornings when nobody is watching and keep working because they take pride in what they do.
A coachable spirit: Give me an athlete who wants to learn. Someone who listens, asks real questions, trusts the work and is willing to let go of bad habits to get better. If someone brings curiosity and an open mind we can do extraordinary things together.
Pride in the team and school: Being a college athlete means handling your business in class first. I want people who respect the opportunity and lift their teammates up. I want the kid who is just as loud cheering on a teammate as they are celebrating their own personal best,” added Black.
In conjunction with her duties at York, Black will continue serving as the Athletic Director at St. Demetrios School in Astoria, a position she has held since February 2026. Previously, Black served as Athletic Director and Lead Physical Education Teacher at Solomon Schechter School of Queens from 2024-26. Throughout her career, Black has held athletic leadership, coaching and physical education and health teaching positions at numerous schools throughout the metropolitan New York City area.
From 2013-20, Black served as Lead Teacher and Assistant Girls Athletic Director at the Yeshivah of Flatbush, where she led the cross country and track programs to six consecutive undefeated seasons. During that span, the girls' program captured one league championship and swept the championship podium, finishing first, second and third, with all five of the team's top runners completing the 5K in under 19 minutes.
Black also led the middle school boys' and girls' cross country and track teams at The Lycée Français de New York from 2003-10. During her tenure, the programs recorded six consecutive years of undefeated competition and captured multiple championship titles in the ISAL and GISAL leagues.
At The Dwight School, Black led the cross country programs to back-to-back undefeated seasons and secured a first-place finish in the GISAL/ISAL League for track. While serving as a Physical Education and Health Teacher, Black also coached the high school girls' program to a sweep of the top five places at Van Cortlandt Park, with all five athletes breaking 20 minutes in the 5K.
Black's additional experience includes work as a Physical Education and Health Teacher at Marion P. Thomas Charter School, a PE Teacher and Assistant to the Athletic Director at The French American School of New York, an Athletic Director and Physical Educator at The Metropolitan Montessori School, and a Physical Education and Science Teacher and Program Coordinator at Trevor Day School.
Black earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biology with a minor in Movement Science from Bard College, where she won the 1983 NCA Division III Individual Cross Country Championship. She went on to achieve a Master of Science in Movement Science/Physical Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a Doctor of Education and Master of Arts in Leadership in Education from Seton Hall University. She is also a Certified Athletic Director (CAA) and Registered Athletic Administrator (RAA) through the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA).
