Joella Baker, a former multi-sport student-athlete at Duquesne, was named head coach of the inaugural women's triathlon team on July 26, 2022.
The founder and president of Get Fit Families LLC, an organization centered on developing comprehensive individual and family fitness, Baker returns to the Bluff as one of the foremost advocates for the sport of triathlon in western Pennsylvania.
A life-long athlete, Baker - who competed in cross country, track and swimming as an undergrad at DU - has completed 27 marathons - including Boston twice - six ultra-marathons, one IRONMAN 140.6 and 15 70.3 races. She has represented USA Triathlon's age-group Team USA at seven ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships.
Following her competitive career, Baker founded Get Fit Families in 2009. The program, which offers fitness and coaching for youths, adults and families, also provides scholarships for low-income youth to participate in training camps and local races. In addition to serving low-income youth, Get Fit Families also offers a youth elite and junior elite triathlon team, a youth cross country and track program, an adult running club and an open water swim series.
Baker, who completed her degree in political science at Duquesne in 1992, is a USA Triathlon Level II Certified Race Director, USA Triathlon Level II and Youth Certified Coach, USA Swimming Coach, USA Track & Field Coach, USA Cycling Coach, assistant swim coach for North Catholic High School (Cranberry Township, Pa.), certified lifeguard, waterfront safety lifeguard, YMCA instructor and yoga instructor. Baker is also the owner and creator of the Mighty Moraine Man Triathlon Series, the largest series of its kind in western Pennsylvania.
She received the Jeff Jewell Spirit Award from USA Triathlon in the spring of 2020. The award is given annually to an athlete who gives back to the sport outside of competitions and is considered a role model to other athletes, particularly youth.
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