Staff Directory

Anna Pytlak

Title:
Associate Athletics Director for Compliance
Email:
Phone:
631-4955

Last Updated: May 1, 2026

Anna Pytlak was promoted to Associate Athletics Director for Compliance in April 2026 and manages the monitoring the eligibility of student-athletes as well as prospective student-athletes as it relates to academic eligibility, amateurism, and outside competition for Saint Mary's College's varsity intercollegiate athletics program. Pytlak joined the compliance office as the Compliance Coordinator in June 2022 after 14 seasons on staff with the Gaels' rowing program, including nine seasons as the head coach.

An invaluable part of the Gaels' success in those 14 years, Pytlak is a two-time recipient of the prestigious Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) Assistant Coach of the Year award for the West region. She first earned the honor in 2011, and won it again in 2013.

During Pytlak's tenure, Saint Mary's finished fourth or better at the West Coast Conference Championships in 11 of 14 seasons. In 2013, the Gaels finished third at the meet, with a third-place finish by the Varsity 8 boat completing a late rally for the Gaels to move into a medal spot. Part of that success in 2013 came thanks to an offseason training program directed by Pytlak. With the former head coach away from the program in the winter months, Pytlak directed training efforts and ensured the Gaels were ready to compete when the season began.

During Pytlak's time on SMC's rowing staff, 26 Gaels earned a Scholar Athlete award from the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA).

Prior to joining the Gaels, Pytlak served for two season as a graduate assistant at the University of Miami. While completing her master's degree in Sport Administration, Cohen helped the Hurricanes Varsity 4 earn a fourth-place finish at the 2008 ACC Championships.

Pytlak has also coached at Sonoma State, as well as numerous junior and masters rowing programs affiliated with the North Bay Learn To Row program. She has also assisted with the Annapolis Rowing Club Masters program.

As a rower herself, Pytlak walked on at UC Santa Barbara and earned both the team MVP and Most Inspirational award her freshman year. She transferred to Miami, becoming team captain and earning the team leadership award her senior year.

She earned a bronze medal at the 2004 Big East Challenge as part of Miami's 2V8, and won in the V8 at the 2004 Head of the Chattahoochee and the Florida Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championship. Pitlak's V8 finished fourth at the ACC Championships in 2005.

Pytlak earned her bachelor's degree in Exercise Physiology and Biology from Miami in 2005. She is also a certified level 1 U.S. weightlifting sports performance coach.