With colleges dropping track programs across the
country due to budget cuts or Title IX realignment, it is memorable for the
track community when a new program emerges as the result of school and
community interest.
In the first TrackSide issue (www.trackside1.tracknation.com), Greg Foster spoke of
his newly formed team at Lindenwood (MO) University, and their expectations of
beginning their first season of NAIA competition with 75 athletes.
On the east coast, another program is in the
formative stages, this one at Northwood University in West Palm Beach, FL. The
Seahawks will compete in the Sun Conference of the NAIA.
Ironically, their new head coach, Kent Baker, found
his way to Florida only after 14 years as the head coach of the University of
Toledo, a Division I program which fell due to budget cuts.
Having to leave his old position, one which he was
successful at, was tough.
“After 14 years, a program becomes a part of you,
from working with the alumni and administration. When it’s lost, it’s like
someone cuts out part of your heart…that’s what is devastating.”
Baker coached five
Division I All-Americans and four Olympic trial qualifiers while at Toledo. Most recently, he was Director of Track and Cross
Country at American Heritage School in Florida from 2008-2011, where he won two
Florida 2A High School State Championships in Women's Track and Field. He was
named 2011 Girls Track "Coach of the Year" by Florida High School
Class 2A, 2010 and 2011 Miami Herald Girls Track "Coach of the Year",
and the 2010 and 2011 Sun-Sentinel News Girls Track "Coach of the
Year."
He
looks forward to continuing his run of success at Northwood.
“Florida
is rich with talent, but sometimes these men and women get overlooked. The best
ones always find somewhere to go. We are interested in providing an opportunity
for the others who have interest and talent.”
Northwood
is best known as a business school, but Baker quickly points out, “we offer
many specialized programs.” He aims to work with high school coaches to draw
the kids “who are not highly recruited.” His method appears to be working so
far as Baker anticipates fielding a roster of 40-50 athletes for the first
year.
Baker
will draw strength from two quality assistant coaches. Thomas Johnson, who was
recently elected into the Florida Athletic Hall of Fame for his accomplishments
has an All-American 400-600 meter sprinter at Florida State, will coach the
sprinters, while Maryellen Powers, best known for her work with triathletes and
System 3 coaching, was also recently added to the staff.
No comments:
Post a Comment