Wake Forest Athletics
Rachel Hickey Joins Track & Field Coaching Staff as Assistant Coach
8/10/2026 12:12:00 PM | Track and Field
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest Director of Track & Field and Cross Country John Hayes announced the addition of Rachel Hickey to the Demon Deacons' coaching staff on Monday. Hickey will serve as an assistant coach for the track and field program.
"We are excited to have Rachel Hickey join our coaching team!" said Hayes. "Rachel brings a proven track record, an exceptional work ethic, and a versatile skillset that aligns seamlessly with our program's culture and strategy. We are confident that her leadership and vision will help our student-athletes and program continue to thrive."
"First, I'd like to thank Coach Hayes and Coach [Brandon] Hazouri for the opportunity to come to Wake!" said Hickey. "I am beyond excited to work at an incredible institution with a great staff. I believe it was God's plan to bring me to Wake at just the right time, and I am very grateful! Getting back to the Division I level to help empower the next generation of women in this sport is a dream come true. Go Deacs!"
Hickey comes to Winston-Salem following a year spent at Kalamazoo College, where she worked as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the Hornets' cross country and track and field programs. Her events centered around developing student-athletes in sprints, hurdles and relays. On the recruiting side, Hickey led all efforts in identifying and evaluating prospects, managing outreach communications and coordinating campus visits.
From January to May 2025, Hickey served as an assistant coach at Valor Preparatory Academy. She handled sprints while mentoring student-athletes and delivering instruction focused on mechanics, speed development and competitive readiness. Hickey also played a hand in travel planning and program operations.
Outside of coaching, Hickey also has years of experience in media, having worked as a content contributor for The Stride Report since 2024. Her work as a Division I analyst has included various forms of cross country and track and field coverage, ranging from championship previews to storytelling features and podcast discussions. Hickey also spent time as a sports reporter for WND and The Vidette after serving as a multimedia journalist at TV-10 News ISU.
A native of Peru, Ill., Hickey competed in cross country and track and field at Illinois State from 2018-2023 before joining Baylor University's track and field team as a graduate student. She was also an intern coach for the Bears' sprint and hurdles group, in addition to assisting with operations for team travel and recruitment activities.
Competing as a standout for the Illinois State Redbirds, Hickey holds school records in the 1,000m and the 800m for both indoor and outdoor competition. In 2019, she was the Under-20 Pan American Silver Medalist in the 1,500m run for Team USA. Hickey stacked a number of accolades and accomplishments during her collegiate career, including:
Hickey graduated from Illinois State University in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism, Integrated Marketing Communications, along with a certificate in Athletic Coaching. Two years later, she obtained a Master of Science in Educational Leadership – Sport Management at Baylor.
"We are excited to have Rachel Hickey join our coaching team!" said Hayes. "Rachel brings a proven track record, an exceptional work ethic, and a versatile skillset that aligns seamlessly with our program's culture and strategy. We are confident that her leadership and vision will help our student-athletes and program continue to thrive."
"First, I'd like to thank Coach Hayes and Coach [Brandon] Hazouri for the opportunity to come to Wake!" said Hickey. "I am beyond excited to work at an incredible institution with a great staff. I believe it was God's plan to bring me to Wake at just the right time, and I am very grateful! Getting back to the Division I level to help empower the next generation of women in this sport is a dream come true. Go Deacs!"
Hickey comes to Winston-Salem following a year spent at Kalamazoo College, where she worked as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the Hornets' cross country and track and field programs. Her events centered around developing student-athletes in sprints, hurdles and relays. On the recruiting side, Hickey led all efforts in identifying and evaluating prospects, managing outreach communications and coordinating campus visits.
From January to May 2025, Hickey served as an assistant coach at Valor Preparatory Academy. She handled sprints while mentoring student-athletes and delivering instruction focused on mechanics, speed development and competitive readiness. Hickey also played a hand in travel planning and program operations.
Outside of coaching, Hickey also has years of experience in media, having worked as a content contributor for The Stride Report since 2024. Her work as a Division I analyst has included various forms of cross country and track and field coverage, ranging from championship previews to storytelling features and podcast discussions. Hickey also spent time as a sports reporter for WND and The Vidette after serving as a multimedia journalist at TV-10 News ISU.
A native of Peru, Ill., Hickey competed in cross country and track and field at Illinois State from 2018-2023 before joining Baylor University's track and field team as a graduate student. She was also an intern coach for the Bears' sprint and hurdles group, in addition to assisting with operations for team travel and recruitment activities.
Competing as a standout for the Illinois State Redbirds, Hickey holds school records in the 1,000m and the 800m for both indoor and outdoor competition. In 2019, she was the Under-20 Pan American Silver Medalist in the 1,500m run for Team USA. Hickey stacked a number of accolades and accomplishments during her collegiate career, including:
- Cross Country
- 2021 All-MVC Honorable Mention
- 2021 MVC Cross Country Scholar-Athlete Team
- 2020-21 All-MVC Honorable Mention
- 2020-21 MVC Cross Country Scholar-Athlete Team
- 2019 MVC Cross Country Elite 17 Award Recipient
- 2019 MVC Cross Country Scholar-Athlete Team
- 2019 All-MVC
- 2018 All-MVC
- Track & Field
- 2023 CSC Academic All-District Team
- 2022 MVC Indoor Champion (DMR)
- 2021 MVC Scholar-Athlete
- 2020 MVC Indoor Champion (Mile)
- 2020 MVC Indoor Champion (DMR)
- 2020 Elite 17 Award Recipient (Indoor)
- 2020 USTFCCCA All-Academic Team
- 2020 MVC Scholar-Athlete
Hickey graduated from Illinois State University in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism, Integrated Marketing Communications, along with a certificate in Athletic Coaching. Two years later, she obtained a Master of Science in Educational Leadership – Sport Management at Baylor.
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