Coaches’ Blog

I was going to save the world. Easy as that- sail through medical school, move to East Africa and save lives. But life always takes a few unexpected left turns and rather, I found myself sitting by the Cleveland airport curb, waiting for my ride. A large immaculate white Suburban pulls up. Two men in shades, button down shirts and various hues of baby blue ties jump out and take my bags (one is my husband, the other may have been Coogan, not sure, he seemed a little too polished and cleaned up). My first Track Nationals trip officially begins.

To be honest, I had no idea what to expect. The only exposure I had ever had to Nationals prior to this trip was being told that we couldn’t go out to brunch on Sunday because entries were due, receiving a series of SOS texts from Ethan on banquet night and the graveyard of NCAA “free gear” (mostly computer bags) piled high in our basement. So who could have foreseen that the 2010 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship would be the most fun I have ever had at a track meet.

It might have been the king sized bed, the free cable that we don’t get at home, the rare time to read leisurely or even the two meals at the Olive Garden (that’s right, I like the Olive Garden). But upon reflection, the parts that were the most fun for me were the small moments. I don’t know much about this sport, but I know that there are moments of heart and pure enjoyment of competition. For most, these intense moments slowly dissipate as they graduate, get a job and enter the “real world”. But at Nationals, it’s all about these intense moments- stepping up because this IS Nationals.

At Nationals, everyone is good. An obvious statement but wow, it makes for some pretty exciting events and races. Unconsciously, I began to root for pole vaulters I didn’t even know, cheered for high jumpers who just couldn’t seem to get a clear height until the very end and even heartached for the athlete who fell hard and got up to finish the race in last place. Watching twenty-something tough guys step up to the podium is a moment to enjoy. As Ethan said with wisdom, it brings out the little boy in all of them. Head down, both hands gingerly around the prize, the best of the best are almost humbled by their own accomplishments.

Knowing my husband, this last part will probably be cut out. But truly I have to say, my favorite moments were watching Ethan. Not everyone knows the mental aspect of his coaching job. It is nearly impossible to leave it at the office and with Barron’s dedication; it would be just immoral to not care, worry, ponder and contemplate his athletes’ health, both mental and physical on and off the track, on top of workouts, strategies and recruiting. But at Nationals, Ethan seemed to thrive on being able to give each individual athlete all of his attention, 100%. Don’t get me wrong, he was a head-case. Hermitting behind the press box before Jared’s first event, pacing like an expecting father amongst the crowds at Jessie’s second to last lap and chewing the stopwatch rope like Luka on a steak bone moments before Trevor’s race. But during the downtime, he watched events, chit chatted with this and that person and even bought himself a hotdog like any other spectator who loves a three day track meet. I also got to watch a whole lot of other coaches. While I love my husband the best, after Nationals, I respected him the most as a coach as well. He is there for his athletes, with humility and a calm demeanor. I didn’t see a single other coach carry their decathlete’s bag in between events and it was one of those small moments that reminded me why Ethan is such a good coach. Ok, so you can roll your eyes, because the cheesiness is gag inducing and many could argue that I know diddly squat on what makes a good coach. But you know, I was going to save the world. And it wasn’t until I met my husband that I learned that small moments and gestures can just as equally have profound effects.

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