Emily Foley Named Head Cross Country Coach

Emily Foley will take over as head boys and girls cross country coach at University School of Milwaukee starting in fall 2025. Foley will take the place of Eric Pilling, who will remain as part of the staff as an assistant coach. Pilling has been extremely successful in building USM’s boys' and girls' cross country teams, and Foley has been a large part of this success as his assistant coach over the last two years. “Emily is an amazing mentor and coach and I have been extremely fortunate to work with her these last two years,” said Pilling. “This restructuring will ensure continuity and success for years to come.”

In these last two years, Foley has served as an assistant coach for both cross country and track and field at USM, working with Pilling and coach Joe Eason, and she has supported athletes in their development on and off the course. “I’m incredibly excited to take on a new role as head coach,” she said. “With the guidance and support of Eric Pilling and Joe Eason, I feel ready to lead both our teams. USM has given me the chance to truly embrace my passion for coaching, and I can’t wait to see what this season brings for our team.”

A native of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Foley competed for Lourdes Academy and earned eight state championship appearances across her cross country and track seasons. Over the course of those appearances, she reached the podium an impressive 16 times and helped lead her teams to four WIAA state champion team titles.

Foley continued her athletic and academic career at Marquette University, where she was a five-year member of the cross country and track and field teams. Following her collegiate career, she completed both the Chicago and Boston Marathons.

In addition to coaching at USM, Foley also serves as the assistant director of athletic engagement on Marquette University's athletic development team, where she continues to support student-athletes and the broader athletics community.