Background:
I believe track and field is a sport for everyone for life. One of my missions in life is to build the sport. I believe it is one of the purist and most beneficial human performance activities anyone can be involved with. I am deeply passionate about track and field and have been actively involved in the sport since age six. I started competing in AAU and TAC summer programs as a young boy. In high school I was a three time state champion and classification record holder in the 300 meter hurdles. The first two years of college I competed for the University of Arizona. As a sophomore I placed eight at the PAC 10 Championship in the 400 meter hurdles. After a transfer to Northern Arizona University I finished third at the Big Sky Championships two years in a row. My post collegiate career was spent competing for an international club based in Oregon. Sponsorship from Nike, Reebok, and Adidas allowed me to fulfill my goals at the elite national level. In 1996 I posted a provisional Olympic Trials qualifying time and was ranked 42nd in the nation. The time of 50.89 in the 400 meter hurdles held up as my lifetime personal record. With age I moved into the masters circuit in 2000 and won the USATF Masters National Championship. Injuries and age slowly took their tolls and my participations in the sport is now limited. I still and hopefully always will compete. During recent years my energy has shifted from personal training to developing other athletes. I simply love the sport of track and field.
Coaching Philosophy:
My philosophy can be summed up by the quote, "student athlete first, winning second". The primary job of any coach is to build people. Athletics are a wonderful arena in which to instill important virtues in student athletes. Therefore my most important job is to strengthen the character, self-discipline, and work habits of athletes. Secondly, winning or excellence is important in athletics. It is not acceptable to be average or below average. Youth need to expect excellence from themselves in all avenues of their lives. They must strive to be the best they possibly can. All I expect from my athletes is all they got.