At the NEC Indoor Championship, the Men’s Track and Field team finished 5th out of 11 teams after being selected to finish last in the preseason polls. Do you think the team performed above and beyond, or the expectations were unjustly set too low by the conference?
- In our sport there are many variables that affect the outcome of a championship. But I’d have to say in my eyes and the eyes of the coaching staff, the team performed very near to how we expected them to. However in the eyes of the others in the conference, it may have come as a surprise.
Dean Brown, Matthew Megerdician, Dominique Burrus, Rafal Ksepka & the Gilhuley brothers are just a handful of your athletes to shine this past indoor season. Who do you expect to surprise the conference and competition this spring?
- If I told you that it wouldn’t be a surprise anymore. Guess you’ll just have to wait and see.
What are your overall goals for the spring for both the women & men squads?
- The overall goal is for them to continue to improve their standing in the conference. To again represent the NEC at the ECAC and IC4A Championships, and to create a team environment that is conducive to creating champions.
Out of all of your athletes whose work ethic do you admire most?
- This is a tough question because most of the people on the teams right now work very hard. Along with the people that you read about who obviously work diligently, we have other athletes who invest equal amount of training, but may not be as well known. Among these athletes are Michael Carullo, Jasmine Brown and Jasmine Murdock, to name a few. I'd have to say that the primary reason we have been able to achieve the things we have this year, is because the teams have adopted a new work ethic.
Top memory as head coach of the SFC Track & Field team.
- In a short amount of time we've created many memorable moments at SFC. For me, the top memory had to come at the end of the indoor season this year, when the other coaches in the conference congratulated me for the huge "turn around" in the program. I was happy that they recognized how hard we've worked, but the truth is we didn't turn things around- we just continued in the direction that the Terriers were already headed.
As a coach, what type of qualities, characteristics and athletic qualities do you look for in potential recruits?
- I’m looking for people who understand that they have an opportunity to further themselves academically as well as athletically and are willing to make that a priority. They have to be open-minded, willing to work hard and eager to learn.
Be honest, what’s your favorite event?
- Although as head coach I’ve come to appreciate many of the events in track & field, at heart I’m still a triple jumper.
Favorite athlete of all-time.
- Tommie Smith. Not only was he successful despite the many obstacles he had to overcome as an athlete, but he also fought for what he believed in and brought exposure to civil rights issues in America at the expense of his own popularity.
Describe Coach Brown in 15 words or less.
- I'm a motivator, leader, believer, whose quest for knowledge will help make you an achiever.
How did you get into coaching?
- My introduction to coaching came while teaching elementary school. I began coaching girls track because I felt there weren’t enough sports available to girls at the time. I later coached basketball and track at the same school. Until one day I got the call for the need for a jumps coach at St. Francis College.
Any coaching role models?
- Tony Dungy, former head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. Although I’m not a football fan I was able to admire how he incorporated his moral beliefs into his coaching style, and never let the environment of a football field effect his beliefs or character negatively. I admire the fact that he saw his coaching as a ministry.
Did you learn any coaching techniques from anyone?
- Most of my coaching style comes from my experience as a teacher. I understand there is no blanket style of coaching because different people need to be motivated in different ways. I’ve learned a lot from my predecessor here at SFC- Anthony Kurtin. I’ve also learned by observing what does and doesn't work with other coaches. In my opinion a good coach should always be willing to learn and seek knowledge.
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By: Lily Rodriguez (Sports Information Student-Assistant)