What are your goals for the season?
My goals for the season are for each student-athlete to set a personal best. I would like to see both teams win the CCC Championship, as the Men have won nine out of the last 10 years, while the women have won six out of the last 10. I also hope for my student-athletes to break some school records this season, as well as for more student-athletes to qualify for the New England Championships. We had 24 qualify last year, with two student-athletes earning All-New England Honors. Beyond that, our goal is to get more athletes to qualify for the NCAA Championships. We had the first-ever female qualifier last season in Savannah Fox Tree-McGrath, where she placed 11th in the Javelin and 15th in the High Jump.
What makes you excited to come to work each day?
I love coming to work every day, and having the opportunity to coach at the collegiate level is one of the best jobs out there! It is especially gratifying when we are in the heart of the season and everyone is in great shape, preparing for the big meets at the end of the season.
I had such a great experience as a student-athlete that I try to pass that on to the student-athletes I coach. I get to stand on the sideline, hold a watch and “yell” at people to run faster. What’s better than that?
How has donor support helped you and your program?
Donor support is such a huge part of the viability of a program. Every contribution helps – both big and small. Anything from getting extra T-shirts, to helping fund our end-of-the-season banquets, to providing us the opportunity to take an out-of-region trip. The current student-athletes really appreciate the support and in turn tend to want to give back to the program upon graduation.
What can alums do to help your program in addition to financial support?
Having so many alumni come back every year for the Homecoming 5K in October is great to see. There seems to be more and more people coming back every year to participate. It is great to have them connect with the current student-athletes.
We also get a nice turnout of alumni coming back to watch the CCC Track & Field Championship at Portsmouth High School in April every year.
One idea I have spoken with the alumni about is inviting some to come to campus during the cross country preseason and have a Q&A session with the current team. I think it would helpful for the team to hear what they have to say about how they navigated their four years as a student-athlete.
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