Olympic gold medalist and SPIRE’s Director of Programs/Development reflects on 38 years of competing and coaching in the pole vault, and his current role developing high school, collegiate and elite programs for SPIRE track and field.

Please share some of your early memories about sports.

I never thought I would spend 38 years competing and coaching in the pole vault. Coaching is not as easy as it might seem. I used to think an Olympic Gold Medalist was always someone else.

What’s the most interesting thing we can give to our student athletes to prepare them for their college sport?

To prepare them to be patient and persistent in all they do and to continue to believe in themselves and what they

are capable of.

What does it take for a track and field coach to succeed?

My top six things are:

• A willingness to “buy into” whatever your coaches program requires.

• Set Goals

• Maintain Motivation

• Understand that failure will happen

• Never ever quit

• Stay balanced.

What’s your favorite thing about coaching?

Seeing the athlete with a smile on their face after they just made a breakthrough

As a track and field coach, what makes you most proud?

Being able to explain every last nuance, feeling, movement to an athlete so they can understand the event better.

What’s an excellent piece of advice you’ve been given?

The difference between ordinary and extraordinary lies in the details.

Favorite sport?

Outside of track and field? Golf.

Favorite home-cooked meal.

A slowly roasted pork shoulder, beans and potatoes.

What is always stocked in your refrigerator?

Coffee creamer and ice cream.

What movie have you watched again and again?

Gladiator

Favorite place to travel?

Monaco. It seems like a dream world with its location next to high mountains, blue water, fancy cars, yachts, cleanliness, food and hospitality.

One fun fact we may not know about you?

I don’t like heights.

A cause you support and why?

Church. You are lost if you don’t believe in something greater than yourself.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

A professional football player—so I sort of got close!