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High School Track and Field Coaches

Coach #1:

How long have you coached? 8 years

Where do you coach? Manheim Central High School in Manheim, PA

Did you run in high school? Yes, I ran in middle school through college.

What events did you run? I was a sprinter so the 100,200, and relays.

Why do you coach? I have a passion for the sport and I enjoy doing it. It's a rewarding job seeing kids do well in their events.

What is the best part about coaching? Like I said in the last question, I enjoy watching them succeed in their personal bests and being able to be a part of it. I'm just their to guide them but watching them put the work in and seeing it pay off. It's the best feeling.

What is the worst? Seeing a kid who has so much potential and not use it.

What kind of training does it take? You don't have to go to college. Most coaches coach based on personal experience. I ran, but I also travel all over and take classes in the summer specifically on events in track so I can train my runners, jumpers,and throwers, and hurdlers properly.

Coach #2 How long have you coached? 20 years

Where do you coach? Manheim Central

Did you run in high school? I was a hurdler and thrower.

Why do you coach? Track is a hobby of mine. I like going to the track after work and helping others. It's like a getaway for me.

What is the best part about coaching? I would say the best part about coaching is that it is just fun. I like working with the hurdlers and watching them grow from start to finish. The meets are the best part. I love competiton and cheering them on.

What's the worst part? When runners don't want to be there and do the workout.

What kind of training does it take? I have personal experience and got advice from other coaches who coached me and ones that I work with now.

What does the data you collect suggest to you about the literacy practices of that community? After doing my interview with both coaches I noticed that you don't need to have a college degree to be a coach. It's simply based on if you have had personal experience, but if you truly care about the sport you can further you education on and take classes or watch video, and even research it online. The first coach I interviewed who takes classes in the summer, he told me while he takes those classes he has tests and has to pass them to get his certificates and certifications. He is now qualified to coach colleges, but he chooses to stay where he is. The more training you do, the more qualified you become.