"Don't give me roses when I'm gone" is a quote that my mother often says when someone we know passes away. It simply means respect and recognize those that you care about while they are here on Earth and living.
Growing up in Terre Haute, Indiana in the 1970s and 80s was an interesting time. The town known to many outsiders as the "Crossroads of America" was considered an industrial hazard by the EPA because of the air pollution from the many factories that dotted the town and county landscape. Whenever visitors came into town their first comments was always, 'what is that awful smell?' Terre Haute is also home to Indiana State University and Larry Bird. The Sycamores were at the top of the college basketball world in 1979 when they finished 33-1 and runner up to Magic Johnson's Michigan State squad. Those were the good old days.
The good old days began for me as a yearling star at North Vigo High School. I had completed a solid junior year of track in which I ran in the state 3200m final and earned all-state honors. Although I lived just a mile from the ISU campus, it might as well have been a million miles away. There wasn't much thought of me staying home and attending school there. The only colleges that I considered attending and running were Purdue and Notre Dame Universities. I really loved the Boilermakers because they had a great athletic program and Notre Dame speaks for itself.
It was the summer of 1986 just before my senior year that my thought process regarding schools began to change. My good friend and teammate Rich Trimble had signed up for the Indiana State track and field camp. He talked me into signing up as well. It was Interesting that my roommate for the three day camp was Matt McNichols. The coach's son. Hmm... Matt no doubt was a great agent for his dad and the program. I know he planted something inside my head over those few days: "my dad really likes you... you would make a good Sycamore."
Still as one of the top senior distance runners in the state I knew I had options and I wanted to explore them. As my high school career winded down it was time to make some decisions. My high school coach Pete Jones said I owed Indiana State a visit out of respect. So my initial visit was to ISU. The first person I met with was head coach John McNichols. He was very nice and said "we would love to have you here." I toured the rest of the campus and met with school officials which was intriguing. Two teammates who accompanied me on the trip as recruits, Grady Hanrahan and Henry Spillers stated they were going to commit to ISU. I was still undecided but leaning heavily toward staying home. Finally, I made my committment to ISU before the end of the season. I would become a Sycamore!
My time as a student-athlete did not turn out as exactly the way I planned for it to be in 1987. I did not make the 1992 Olympic team nor did I become a lawyer. But what I became was a social worker/counselor, coach, journalist, youth advocate and more. I learned so much from coach McNichols and being in his program than I realize. I learned that accountability means everything. If you don't produce then it's your fault and no one elses. Coach Mac rarely screamed or raised his voiced even when in a displeasured state. But there was one time when the cross country team ran poorly. We were in Wisconsin competing against some teams from all over the Midwest, some were Division 2 and 3 teams. After we finished cooling down coach Mac gave us a mouthful. 'Dammit, you are all Division 1 runners! You did not act like it out there.' That resonated more with me more than anything because he rarely came out of character. I knew that meant business and that ONE moment was all that I needed to get back on my game. He always spoke softly and carried a big stick.
After college I would always come and visit coach Mac whenever I wanted. He never seemed to mind me coming by his office or the track unannounced. He would always ask: "how is your mother doing?" Awesome sentiments toward others even when he was game planning for his program. The coaches that he assembled over the years took on his personality. Kyle Walsh, Angela Martin, and Jeff Martin are former student-athletes of coach Mac. Even Rose Hulman head coach Geoff Wayton is a disciple of coach Mac. Former women's head coach John Gartland was coach Mac's best friend and great colleague. Gartland was tough and more outgoing than Mac, but unflappable as a professional when he teammed with McNichols. They were unbreakable.
Coach Mac had an opportunity to return to his alma mater Indiana University when the legendary coach Sam Bell retired in 1998. I remember asking Mac a few years later why he didn't pursue the opening to go and coach in the big time league known as the Big 10. He simply enjoyed his role at Indiana State. I believe it was his loyalty to a program that he built virtually from the ground up when he came aboard in 1983. I'm just glad he stayed long enough to see his vision come to fruition.
Coach McNichols talks about history of LaVern Gibson Championship XC Course
Last month I had an opportunity to travel back home to attend the NCAA Division 1 Cross Country Championships hosted by Indiana State University. But before leaving I had to make several decisions- quick and fast. I had been going strong for six weekends in a row covering meets long and far. Plus, it was a chance for me to chill and relax at home. My good friends Danny Sopena and Mike Keane were set to go to the big meet. I hadn't been to a college championship in over five years. I previously spoke to some alumni about making the trip to TH to fellowship with them and coach Mac. I ran into coach Mac on the course and we spoke for a bit. Mac appeared happy as ever and seemed more proud that his vision of Terre Haute as "Cross Country Town USA" a reality. It was something that he always wanted. I hope he is resting easy now in Paradise.
