Distance Coach wrote:
Former-wku-distance-runner wrote:
Jenkins never gave a sh**about the distance team unless you were already an NCAA champion, he would come to maybe one meet, would barely cheer for us, didn't know our names, and we were never given new jerseys/gear like the sprinters/jumpers were
I've talked to Jenkins many times and know that he cares.
What students athletes fail to understand is that there is only so much time and energy for family, friends, coaching, one self etc. Coaches can't be everything to everyone. Especially some over entitled 15:35 5k male distance runner or the like. If you want a new uniform, keep quite and go work for it. Help raise funds, run faster. Ascending the pecking order. That's reality once you leave college. Our sport is and WKU specifically does not have that great of an operating budget. Be grateful you have an opportunity and place to compete. If you don't like then go somewhere else.
I know Jenkins puts in his fair share to make his program great. From an outsiders perspective, I'm a distance coach and agree with his model at WKU. I wouldn't invest in distance either. Even Kentucky isn't that great, the state's flagship school. EKU is better and the only way they can be better is by getting foreign kids.
What do you expect from him? To go to all your meets? Some of your meets? For what? Is his clapping for you for that 2 seconds you run by him on the cross country course going to really make you feel that much better? Recruits take notice of this, you should know if your program has a sprints, jumps, throws, distance emphasis BEFORE you select your school.
I am also a distance coach and I agree that I wouldn’t do a distance heavy model either and you former wku proves why. You sound like the kid that wouldn’t want to come back after one event to run a second in the same day to help the team. See sprinters can run the 100/200/4x1, some can hurdle or even crossover and LJ/TJ so you get much more bang for your buck when trying to win track titles. Oh and don’t mention cross country because you have to have at least 7 of you or more in case one of you hurts your pinky toe and can’t race, or passes out after 5k. Stop weining and hit a regional standard on the track and I guarantee any coach will have a swag bag waiting for you!