Steve Mathre has been the head track coach at St. Thomas for nearly two decades. He has done his part to help the Tommie men's team contribute to a combined 99 MIAC championships. He talks to DtB about the latest title and the program at St. Thomas. Down the Backstretch: The thing that sticks out about St. Thomas is the ability to win MIAC championships. How does one maintain that standard of excellence year after year?
Steve Mathre: A few things come to mind - tradition, TEAM and perspective. First, our tradition is our foundation. There is no question about it - tradition is a power thing. We have a slogan painted on my office wall that reads "Tradition Never Graduates." Our athletes take a lot of pride in our program and understand the history behind it and work to do their part to continue the legacy of the hundreds that have gone before them. At the same time our athletes don't feel pressure to maintain our tradition, but rather see it as an opportunity to be part of something larger then just their performances.
Secondly, we believe strongly that we can have a "team-centered" program while working towards individual goals. Our event groups are small teams within the larger team that work to develop the jumper, thrower, sprinter, vaulter, etc. to be the best athlete possible. These smaller event teams and their event coaches take pride in their impact on the overall TEAM.
Lastly, I think our program maintains a healthy perspective of both athletes and winning. In fact, winning MIAC championships is never a direct focus, it's just a bi-product. When I talk to recruits I talk about our past, but mostly I want them to understand that competing on the St. Thomas track and field team is an exciting opportunity to continue to do something they love -- that will hopefully be an important part of their college experience -- yet at the same time it won't dominate it. It's important to remember that track and field is an elective that should be both challenging and fun,with the ultimate objective of helping our graduates move on into the real world as successful young men who have tested themselves, experienced success, and are eager to take on new challenges.
DtB: What inspired you to become a coach and how did you end up coaching at St. Thomas?
SM: I came to St. Thomas as an assistant hurdle coach straight from college in 1991 and was an assistant coach for both the men's and women's team for five seasons. Although my college education was a great fit (majoring in biology and sports science) I hadn't intended to become a career coach at first. After I started it just became a passion I couldn't give up. I was promoted to an interim head coach when Joe Thompson left to become the AD at Luther College; after which the head coach.
My summer youth coach Dick Peterson made a tough sport enjoyable. Without him I wouldn't have continued. Northfield High School coaches Dick Scott and Darwin Diem taught me well and gave me the confidence I needed to excel. Bill Thornton at St. Olaf was equally influential and challenged me to be my best. Without a doubt I would not be doing what I love to do had I not had these four coaches have such a big impact on me.
DtB: Is there any temptation for you to "move up" to a Division I school or are the challenges and rewards you get now what keeps you going?
SM: I get asked this from time to time... And I really have no desire to change divisions or leave St. Thomas.
With regard to Divisions, Division III coaches do it all. Work with the largest recruiting pool, have the toughest academic standards, and wear every hat imaginable: coach, meet director, counselor, recruiter, teacher, administrator, web master, travel agent, and on and on. I really enjoy the diversity of the job. Regarding athletes - I believe student athletes are the same regardless of Division. Talent levels may change but the interaction, motivation, and training principles stay the same.
You ask about Division I - It's not the Division that creates a quality coaching or athletic experience, it's the overall commitment that the school, regardless of Division, that makes the difference. I know a lot of Division I track and field programs that place our sport off in a corner,forget about it and spend their energy and money on football, hockey, and basketball. Division III can actually, in many ways, do more for track and field athletes -- more coaches on staff, more actual teaching and "eyes-on." More travel early in a career, no red-shirting, and a four year education (not five to six years).
At St. Thomas I'm fortunate to have the best of both worlds. A Division III philosophy that puts the student first and athlete second,and a school and program that operates with a high level of commitment to the sport. St. Thomas track and field is not just a team, it's a program that offers a small school education with a big time track and field experience.
DtB: Have there been any "highlights" or moments that stick out from the rest during the current season?
SM: We've had a great season with a lot of great performances -- but it's the senior class that really sticks out to me. They are a tremendous group of guys that offer strong leadership and commitment to our program. They have had a huge impact on maintaining our tradition. The moments I will remember are watching this group compete as hard as they do each time they step on the track.
DtB: Often one athlete on a team will score a lot of points, as Jim Ewer did this year, but there are often "hidden" contributions that make a difference in winning and losing. One athlete who wasn't supposed to score or somebody who came through in the clutch to contribute vital team points. Any scenarios like that for this year's win?
SM: Andy Edmunds' story it typical of what's important to our athletes and program. Andy is a freshman vaulter and was the last one out of the conference meet--meaning he was the first one not to make the event. At the last minute he was added to the event because of a scratch from another team. Andy rose to the occasion and placed ninth with a personal best. He went from not making the meet to finishing just out of scoring position. Scoring points is never the most important thing -- it's how someone does relative to what they've done before that really matters. Andy showed he could perform at his best when it meant the most. When you have a lot of guys doing what Andy did, the points will be there.
DtB: Do you have a core philosophy behind your approach to coaching or particular values you try to impart to the team?
SM: Overall as a coach, my job is to help athletes help themselves in that I don't want them to graduate and look back and say: "Thanks coach, I couldn't have done it without you." But rather say to themselves: "Wow! Look what I accomplished." And take pride in what they've done so that they have the confidence in themselves to accomplish big things. To do this, it's important that our athletes are well coached, students of the sport, and that they hold themselves accountable to doing the things necessary to become the best student athlete they can be. The biggest role I have as a head coach is to provide an environment for success. The biggest reward I have is watching our athletes take advantage of it.
More specifically, I'm a big believer in sticking to the basics necessary for success -- in anything you do. In that, our athletes need to focus on the process and not the product. In other words, focus on the process of improvement rather then on the product of success. It's so easy to put a goal our there (run fast or win the MIAC) without understanding how to make it happen. If you don't understand how to get there, it's easy to become a wondering generality rather than a meaningful specific -- and get lost in a wish for success.
The only proven way I know how to create success and to make a goal a reality is to break it down into daily tasks -- from executing a workout specifically as it's designed, to getting enough sleep to recover and setting aside enough study time. Not only does this create good life-long habits, it creates confidence, and most often success comes from believing in what you've done. Believing you've earned it, and believing it's rightfully yours. Setting a goal is not enough .. acting on it everyday is.
DtB: Often a team will have a certain character or distinctive quality to it that sets them apart from other teams. Anything stand out about this year's squad?
SM: This is a great team. Not just measured by talent but by who they are individually and collectively. It's fun to see them interact and get along so well and cross over among the different event groups. What will most likely stick with me about this team is the contrast between their calm demeanor and poise, and the way they tenaciously compete. It's a great combination.
DtB: What is the outlook for the Nationals this week?
SM: We have ten athletes in a total of ten events that will compete. It's the best group I've ever taken to an NCAA Championship with the highest seeds. They are experienced, battle tested, and focused. I'm very optimistic about our chances for a strong finish. Regardless of the outcome, I know that ten guys will leave everything they have in Marietta, Ohio this weekend.
No comments:
Post a Comment