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| U of O Lisa, myself, and Kay |
My parents were a fixture at my track meets, and mom once told a newspaper journalist, that she and dad and would travel anywhere to watch me, even if I were playing marbles. In high school, dad volunteered as a timer, while my mom sat in the stands, smartly dressed, I'm sure. Back then, every runner was timed individually with a stop watch, and that timer was usually a volunteer. Dad always asked to time later places, like 5th or 6th, to ensure there was no conflict of interest. I don't remember ever talking to him on the Flathead track after my race, but I knew he was there.
When I quit competing, I thought they were done watching me, but they weren't. They decided if they couldn't watch me race, they would watch me coach. My 1st track job came when we were living in a little dairy town in Washington state, up close to the boarder. Because I had a current CA credential, which I never used because of the all encompassing head injury, I didn't have to do much to be able to teach in Washington. After meeting the state's history requirements, I began substitute teaching.
I always assumed I'd teach in my own classroom, before I'd coach, especially because of my head trauma, but the coaching opportunity came 1st.
A high school track job was open, and the mother of my daughter's friend, who also coached club volleyball, suggested I apply for it. I was granted an interview with the head coach, and when we met he was wearing an Oregon Duck cap. Score 1 point for me, I thought, but then I had to convince him I could coach, even though I couldn't run, jump, or hurdle.
That wasn't his concern, though, as he went on to tell me most coaches can't demonstrate. He was concerned, though, that with my background as a successful Duck track athlete, my expectations would be too high for his young athletes. I ensured him that wouldn't be the case. What did I know, anyway? I had never coached.
I was hired, and I had 2 great years coaching the Lions, before moving to Boise.
Coincident #1 the 1st coaching job was at a school with the same team colors as the U of O Ducks
My next coaching job was in Boise. My daughter ran high school track, and I had gotten to know one of her coaches. The first time I met him, he told me she'd be a state champion, and he was right. Then she graduated, and her mentor changed schools. His new high school was actually Boise's 1st high school and right down the street from where I taught 5th grade. He e-mailed me at my school, and simply asked if I was interested in coaching with him, and I said yes. No, I didn't consider that I knew nothing about the triple jump. When I was in high school, girls weren't allowed to triple jump as it was thought to damage female reproductive parts. I'd figure it out.
Coincident #2 The 2nd coaching job team mascot was the Braves; the mascot of the high school where my records still stand
I now coach at the junior high, where I went to school. It's called a middle school, now, but we still coach only 8th and 9th grade. Please take this into account:
- We have close to 150 athletes each season
- The majority of kids have never hurdled before
- We coach 3, 20 minute sessions (read: Learn hurdling in 20 minutes!)
- I can't show them anything
- The track is asphalt
You can now be impressed with myself, and the 6 other coaches who are doing one of two things with each kid.
- Prepare them for high school track
- Ensure that all kids have a rewarding experience, even if they never compete again
If you're wondering why I was hired, I'm sure you're not alone, but I know my hurdlers get to high school well prepared. Sure, I'd rather coach high school, of even college athletes, but I love these kids' joie de vivre.
And yes, mom still comes to the big meet of the season, to watch me coach.
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