Akil Stokes, the 2016 outdoor USTFCCCA Atlantic Region Assistant Coach of the Year, has been instrumental in the building of the Millersville Track and Field program since being brought on by head coach Andy Young in 2007.
A standout sprinter while competing for the Marauders (2004-07), Stokes has gone on to coach three NCAA All-Americans, six NCAA Championship qualifiers, 11 PSAC championships , and three PSAC Championship-winning relay teams. In 2016, hurdler Erin Madison achieved both PSAC Championship Track and Overall MVP awards after winning the 100-meter hurdles, 400-meter hurdles, and being a runner-up in both the 4x100 and 4x400 relay events. In 2019, Clara Forney was named the PSAC Championships Track Athlete of the Year.
Under his watch, Marauder sprinters hold indoor school records in the 60-meter dash, 60-meter hurdles, 200-meter dash, 400-meter dash, 4x200 and 4x400 relays. Stokes' athletes have also set outdoor records in the 400, 100 hurdles, 400 hurdles, 4x100, 4x400 and 4x800 relay events.
The Marauders have finished in the top three in nine of the last 11 PSAC Outdoor Championships. With the rest of the coaching staff, Stokes has helped build a sprints program that has proven to be successful.
“We’ve built a system that works here," said Stokes. "However, what separates us from other programs is that instead of forcing our athletes to fit into the program, we’re willing to adjust the training to fit the specific needs of the athlete. I’m at practice every day with these women and because we don’t have a large group, I’m able to work really close with them and pay attention to the small details. I believe that’s one of the reasons we’ve been able to maximize the potential of each athlete we get. I just ask for three things: work hard, trust me, and trust the process. If you do that the results will show.”
Stokes graduated from Millersville University with a bachelor's degree in speech communication/ public relations in 2007, and earned a master’s degree in sport management in 2010. Married and a new father, Stokes is also a business owner and stays involved in the community of Lancaster and Millersville University looking to mentor younger minds with similar goals.
