Track and Field Coach

Some college athletes, like football and basketball players, have a goal of reaching the pros. But aside from the Olympics, what's the post-college goal for Track & Field athletes?

Asked by Big Daddy Jack over 11 years ago

The post collegiate goal for some post college Track and Field athletes is a professional career as a competing international athlete. The governing body for all track and field world wide is IAAF. They have a website, www.iaaf.org and there the listing of international competitions ( Diamond League) available to athletes. Most athletes need/have an agent who is certified by the IAAF and are able to represent and negotiate appearance fees, shoe contracts and bonuses on behalf of their athlete. If you are in the right event, you can earn a significant amount of money in a competition season. Significant is in excess of $100,000 per year.

What would you do if you found out one of your athletes was using banned PEDs but he hadn't failed a drug test yet?

Asked by k-rod over 11 years ago

He would be reported to the Athletic department's sports administrator and the NCAA. He would be most likely be tested and if found positive, would be subject to the NCAA discipline.

Do you prescribe certain diets for your athletes, or can they eat whatever they want?

Asked by Mikail over 11 years ago

I do not prescribe a diet for the athletes as the university has a nutritionist who will assist the athletes in designing a meal plan.

When you're a recruiting an athlete and you're neck-and-neck with another school, what's your final pitch?

Asked by bl1nds1de over 11 years ago

A final pitch to an athlete is: asking if he/she sees the value of what we are offering today? If yes, then great, come to our university. If no, what are your concerns? If we can make this right, will you come here?

At what grade level do you start recruiting high school athletes? Do you start as early as their freshman year?

Asked by Binxy12 over 11 years ago

I start recruiting high school athletes based on the NCAA rules and regulations that govern the NCAA college sports and coaches. The current rule is that we can begin phone calls following the completion of a prospective student's junior year or July1.

Does the NCAA ever add NEW track & field events? Are there any that you're aware of that are up for consideration? Seems like it's been the same set of events forever.

Asked by slowgrind over 11 years ago

The track and field events for outdoor competition, other than changing from yards to meters, has not changed in the events contested. There are no new events that are up for consideration. In recent history, the Women's Pole Vault, the Women's Steeplechase , Women's Hammer throw and the Women's Triple Jump were all added to the NCAA competition events. The same events, give a history of the development of the sport as well as a comparison of athletes over time.

Are steroids a big problem in college track and field? How often are your athletes tested, and is the test easy to beat?

Asked by Jim over 11 years ago

Steroids are no longer a big problem in college track and field. There is testing for performance enhancing drugs during the competition season especially at the NCAA championships. There is also drug testing during the off season and if any national records are set, the athlete has to undergo a drug test in order for the record to be ratified.

What percentage of your athletes play for the full four years of college?

Asked by Tripp FTW over 11 years ago

Over the years, the percentage of athletes who play for four years, not counting dual sport athletes, 97%.

Does someone have to be big and bulky to be great at the shot put? Is shot put success based more on size, or technique?

Asked by slowburn over 11 years ago

The shot put is based on the ability to throw. There are 2 types of technique, the spin technique and the glide technique. Both are highly effective, depending on the skill of the athlete. it can be argued that the spin suits the "smaller" athlete as compared to the glide which, favors the bigger bulkier athlete. But irregardless of the style the ability to throw well is based on technique.

How do you ensure that your athletes have enough time and energy to handle their school work? Do professors show them leniency?

Asked by Dr. Spock over 11 years ago

The students have a set schedule, where they are encouraged to alert their professors that they are student-athletes and provide the professors with their travel schedule before going on the road. Regarding time to handle school work, the internet has become a great source of allowing the students to maintain their classes as well as provide the ability to submit their papers and homework. As for energy concerns, athletes have to pass a physical before they are allowed to participate with the team. if there are any health problems the Athletic department has a medical staff to address any concerns.

Obviously it varies with the school, but on average, how much lower would you say athletes can score on their SAT/ACTs compared to non-athletes and still get accepted into the same university?

Asked by Penn Silzdown over 11 years ago

The admissions standards are in general the same for students as it is for student-athletes. The NCAA does have requirements for student-athletes to be eligible to participate in college sports and meeting the minimum requirements is a combination of g.p.a and SAT/ACT.

Do your athletes ever complain that they're missing out on the college experience by devoting so much time to athletics?

Asked by Mr. Scruff over 11 years ago

For the most part, athletes involved in athletics, are doing so by choice. They are having a college experience, but it is one that includes Athletics. Athletics does not stop a student from going to parties nor "hanging out" with friends. The choice to participate in sports is the choice made by the students and usually your education is paid for by scholarship for your participation in sports. So there is a financial as well as a personal satisfaction gained by being involved in college sports. Your commitment is reflected by the the college's commitment vis a vis scholarship.

Do you allow your athletes to play another sport in the track & field off-season, and if so what's the most common dual sport? And are you more wary of a recruit if he tells you he wants to play 2 sports because he may not be as committed to track?

Asked by Carlcarl over 11 years ago

Track and Field and Cross Coutry are year round sports. Sometimes athletes are talented enough to be abe to contribute at a collegiate level in more than one sport. In general, if an athlete is in Track and Field, he/she will concentrate soley on Track and field. there are the exceptions, such as offensive or defensive linemen who may have thrown a Shot or a Discus in high school and they are good enough to continue that process into college. Perhaps one of the greatest examples of this, is Michael Carter. Michael is the national high school record holder in the Shot at 81'3 1/2" set in 1979 and he did that during his off-season in Football! He went on to win 7 NCAA titles in the Shot and is the 1984 Olympic Silver medalist in the Shot and then went on to win a Super Bowl with the San Francisco 49ers in 1985. So I would say that the commitment to your sport(s) is reslly determined by your abilities and though very tough it is possible.  So the most common dual sport athlete is Football and Track for the men, and Volleyball and Track for the women.

Does collegiate track and field get the appropriate amount of attention and resources compared to other NCAA sports? Does it tick you off if a school's mediocre football or b-ball team gets all the spotlight, while its stellar track team gets little?

Asked by Barry over 11 years ago

If you were to look at the number of countries participating in Track and Field (over 200 at Olympics and World Championships), you could say Track and Field is one of the biggest sports world wide. At the collegiate level, Football, Basketball and Baseball are very important, that does not diminish Track and Field because usually the success of those programs, in particular Football, allows Track and Field to flourish in the collegiate setting.

Rank from easiest to hardest to learn: shot, discus, hammer, javelin.

Asked by Lamar Latrell over 11 years ago

Hammer followed by Javelin followed by Discus and then, Shot.

do you go to new balance nationals to try and recruit athletes?

Asked by celeste pipia over 11 years ago

Yes to recruit, yes so that your college can be seen, and finally if the NCAA rules are permitted.

Did you do track and field in college? Are you still pretty good at the events you excelled at back then?

Asked by T.J. over 11 years ago

Yes, I did track and field in college. I was good enough to compete at an Olympics while I was in college.

Is an "attitude problem" ever enough of a reason to kick an athlete off the team, or if they're good enough will there always be a spot for them?

Asked by MOAR over 11 years ago

It depends on how good they are and what the "attitude" problem. All cases are different and all coaches have different opinions as to the issue, their preference of that issue i.e. is it that big of a deal or is it something that they cannot tolerate. Ingeneral as long as the "attitude" is not disrupting the team, causing harm or in general can be mananged, then that athlete will remain on the team.

do college coaches scout at new balance nationals

Asked by celeste pipia over 11 years ago

Colleges scout at the Ne balance, Foot Locker most of the state meets and international competitions.

Have you ever seen anyone standing in the wrong place at the wrong time get hit with a javelin, discus, hammer, or the shot?

Asked by Zoematic over 11 years ago

Yes, but not seriously enough to get hospitalized. At practice the usual protocol is to teach safety first, where to stand, what to do or not do. In general, no one is allowed to pick up an implement and use/throw it unless they are either in the circle, or on the runway and no one is allowed to throw while there is someone in the landing area. This prevents accidents.

How to remove the red track carpet stuck on my spikes shoes? The melted rubber of the track causes my shoe sole to be sticky. I have tried left the rubber to dry for about a day but it didn't and it's still sticky. Please help me with this.

Asked by Azri Rahimi over 11 years ago

Not sure what the best answer is here, but perhaps freezing your shoe might help.

how can athletes better gain from the off season and should track and field athletes do cross country?

Asked by theseus over 11 years ago

One way to gain from the off season is to reflect back on your performances during the season. Sit down with your coach, if possible, or by yourself and answer some general questions about your season. Questions to ask;

-what went well

-what did not go as well

-what was my best perofrmance and why

-what was my worst performance and why

-if I could change anything abiut the last season what would it be

-going forwards, what would I want to keep form the last seaon

These general answers will form the basis of what you might want to do in preparation for the next season.

How does anyone learn the pole vault without sustaining major injuries? How do you cushion or protect for botched attempts where the vaulter falls backwards?

Asked by Big Run over 11 years ago

A Pole Vault coach spends a lot of time explaining the event as well as detailing what an athletes needs to learn inorder to do well...gymnastics, flexibility, running, tumbling, lifting weights are all part of the development for an aspiring pole vaulter.

What are some good colleges for womens long & triple jumpers?

Asked by Jumper over 11 years ago

Any college where the coach has a record of developing champions or improving the performance of athletes. Look at the roster of the triple jumpers and long jumpers on the teams' roster and then research the athletes to see their progression.

Hey ima 14 yr old track star/junior olympian I've only been running since March and my pR's are incredible so judging by my Pr's, at this rate would it be possible in the future for me to go D1?
Event/PR:
100: 11.87
200: 23.20
400: 52.69

Asked by Tayvon about 11 years ago

If, and this is a big "IF" you are able to continue to grow and mature and stay interested in Track then there is every possibility that you will be able to compete at the D! level. Most young athletes who are very good in their youth, lose interest, get beaten by other athletes who mature later or just stop for some unknown reason or interest. But the odds favor you if you can maintain your interest.

What do middle school track coaches look for?

Asked by Shorst almost 9 years ago

Have you ever been booed and how did/would it feel?

Asked by Jdjdjdjdjdjdjejdjdjd almost 5 years ago

Hello! if my 60m high hurdle time is a 8.73 what will my 110 high hurdle time be?

Asked by Ammeir Hardges over 9 years ago

What would recommend to purchase for a high school track program just starting javelin - we are a small rural Christian school and have been unable to find used equipment .

Asked by Sam over 5 years ago

Do you have any tips for handoffs in a 4x1 relay? I am 2nd leg and I always have trouble getting the baton to third leg in the passing zone. Any tips? Thank you!

Asked by Rebecca over 8 years ago

what is a good time to shoot for in the 200m dash as a 15 year old girl who's done track once in her life? My best time is 30.2 seconds but what in the 20s is a reasonable time goal? Thanks!

Asked by Rebecca over 8 years ago

Should a track coach ever tell a kid not to race to win? Our High School coach told one kid to race for 2nd basically letting a teammate win the 3200m City Championship because he was running the 1600m later.Also said he did not earn the right to win

Asked by Race to Win almost 10 years ago

Even though you aren't a sprinting coach, do you know the times a female sprinter would have to be running to run the 100 meter in college?

Asked by Track678 over 7 years ago

I can run the 200m in 23.8s official time. Is that at all good? I am in grade 13 and never trained before.

Asked by Nathan over 8 years ago

I mean *12

Asked by Nathan over 8 years ago

I'm going to be a Sophomore in high school next year and my parents want me to join track so I was wondering what gear, plans and routines, and just general stuff I need for track. Also what would I put in my athletics bag?

Asked by Tessa C. over 9 years ago

I just started Javelin and I was wondering about any drills to do at home without a javelin. My main struggles are the penultimate and I throw towards the ground.

Asked by Madelyn over 7 years ago

Hi Coach,
My daughter as a freshman in high school threw the javelin 125' 8'' and shot put 37'3''. She also triple jumped 36' 4'' and long jumped 17'1''. Do these stats appeal to a colleges for recruiting??

Asked by Bill Bam almost 11 years ago

Hi am a high school graduate that use to do very well in track and feel back in the Caribbean but we never had the proper training but will love to continue doing track and field what are your pointers.

Asked by KT 5 months ago

I have a sophomore girl high school sprinter...her coach is wanting her to run the 400 in the medley and then two events later run the 400 in the 4x400. Is this enough recovery time?

Asked by Track mom over 8 years ago

Hey I am a sprinter and I have two back to back events. I run the 4x2 and then I have the 400. By the 400 I am drained and I’m super tired. What are some good ways to cool down or get my energy levels up so I am ready for the 400 meter race?

Asked by Krunner0504 over 5 years ago