Location: West Lafayette
Original Hometown: Wabash, IN, Northfield HS
Professional Career: Began coaching Football (Fall of 1977) and Track (Spring of 1978) at West Lafayette HS and has taught PE since then also.
Favorite Running Shoe: Hoka Clifton 3
Favorite Race Distance: Half Marathon
Favorite Personal Record (PR): 1:21:38 Half (2011, 55 years old) and 2:59:37 (2004, 48 years old)
Favorite Food: Almost everything, but especially MEAT, and I probably eat more grapes, avacados and bananas than most other human beings.
Favorite Book or Movie: Lonesome Dove, Larry McMurtry
Q: Can you give us a little background on your running history?
I was a Pole Vaulter in HS but if I was out of the vault by the time the 2 mile came around, my coach would stick me in it because he knew I would kill myself to get a point (3rd Place). Didn’t start running on the road until about 26 years old (1982?).
Q: What are your top memories from your competitive career?
Breaking 3 hours at Chicago in 2004, winning my age group at the 2011 Mini and USATF Champion in the 10K, also in 2011. It’s been pretty much downhill since then!
Q: Who has had the most influence on your athletic career?
HS coaches and running friends during the last 35 years!
Q: What races are you preparing for and what are your goals for those races?
I am entered in New York on November 3rd but am currently injured and may not get to the starting line.
Q: What are one or two of your favorite workouts that you are looking forward to running this training segment?
We have a repeat mile course near Slayter Hill where the last 120m are up Tower Drive. Also enjoy 8 X 800s with a shuffle 400 in between. I wish I was healthy enough to be doing either of those right now!
Q: How has the Wabash River Runners Club helped you towards your running goals?
Any time runners can surround themselves with other runners, positive results almost always happen.
Q: How did the Purdue Area Track Club (PATC) get started?
I started a local running club for age group kids about 40 years ago, but just in the summer for Track & Field. The program continued off and on and had a couple of other people in charge (Ben Paolillo and Rusty McGill), the name was changed to the Purdue Area Track Club in the 90s and I have been in charge of Track & Field sessions since the late 90s and added Cross Country in the Fall when I stopped coaching HS Football in 2001.
Q: What is your goal/mission statement?
We are committed to introducing young athletes to the rewards and benefits of a running lifestyle that can be beneficial for all sports as well as lifelong fitness. We are not specifically geared up for “competition”, but will provide information for parents to register and attend those meets if they desire.
Age Divisions Year of Birth Race Length
U8 Born 2010 and later 2K
9-10 2008-2009 3K
11-12 2006-2007 3K
Q: What is your favorite memory or top accomplishments from the athletes who participated in the program?
I enjoy the fact that students from all the area schools have participated and gone on to enjoy successful HS careers as well as several in College. Currently Will Persin (McCutcheon/Wyoming), Evan Johnson (West Lafayette/Butler), Cooper Williams (West Lafayette/Indiana) and Colton Crum (Frankfort/Notre Dame) are involved at the college level and all have won State Championships in HS.
Q: What advice would you have for parents looking to get their son/daughter involved with the sport?
They can find out more at https://purdueareatrackclub.org/
