Hallidie Phillips joined the Alaska Anchorage cross country and track & field coaching staff in the fall of 2026.
Phillips enjoyed an illustrious career as a UAA student-athlete before embarking on a coaching career in the Anchorage area.
"I cannot adequately state how excited I am to have Hallidie join our coaching staff and help lead this program,” said Ryan McWilliams. “She was a tremendous student-athlete during her time in the program and has put in several great years of coaching. She knows the sport, knows coaching, and knows what it takes to thrive in the program. I have no doubt she will help us move the program forward in meaningful ways with our alumni, our community, and our competitiveness.”
Phillips started her coaching career with Kidzrunning USATF Alaska coaching youth athletes ages 6-12 foundational running mechanics and movement skills. Sher served as a volunteer assistant coach for one season at UAA (2010-12) and has served as a running coach with Skinny Raven Sports since 2013, including as head coach since 2016. In 2025, Phillips became the program director for Running Free Alaska, whose mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of Alaskan women who are incarcerated through a structured running program and to provide running-related support after release.
“Some opportunities feel bigger than a job,” said Hallidie Phillips. “As a lifelong Alaskan, accepting a coaching position with UAA cross country and track & field feels like one of those moments. Running has been such a meaningful part of my life, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to return to a program that means so much to me and help athletes pursue their own goals. I’m excited for this next chapter and so ready to get started.”
Phillips was an accomplished runner for the Seawolves, representing UAA at three NCAA Div. II Cross Country National Championships and two NCAA Div. II Outdoor Track & Field Championships in the steeplechase. A former school-record holder in the steeplechase, she earned multiple All-GNAC and All-Region honors. Post collegiately she has won numerous races including the Alaska Heart Run, Alaska Run for Women and the Anchorage Mayor’s Marathon.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2012 and a nursing degree in 2014, both from UAA. Phillipps and her husband Erin have three kids, Henrik, Sadie and Sophie.
