Q: What is the philosophy behind your program?
A: To be successful, our program needs athletes who are committed to pursuing excellence and have the ability to accept the responsibility of being a Division I athlete within a team structure. We want to attract outstanding student-athletes who are able to represent Miami with class.

Q: What do you as a coach expect from your athletes?
A: We expect our team members to be focused on learning about their event and optimizing their ability. That can only come from a relentless pursuit of hard training and the long hours associated with that concept. Improvement in sport is a continual process, and our athletes need to be able to handle all the aspects that come with that: strength training, off-season training, rehab, etc. Successful athletes put a lot of time into their sport, and we expect our team members to work toward that process. Just showing up for practice each day is not enough. There must be a willingness to do the extra little things that allow a person to grow and develop to their fullest athletically. We really expect our athletes to be able to handle the responsibility that is inherent in Division I athletics.

Q: What do you look for in a cross country or track and field recruit?
A: The first thing we start with is whether she is a good person and will fit within our team structure. In our sport we are together the entire academic year, spending an inordinate amount of time together, so we want positive athletes who are great to have around on a daily basis. We also look for athletes that have reached a high level of success in the state championship meets and are tough competitors--those who really love competition. Just liking track and field isn't enough. To be successful, an athlete needs to love track and field. We look for someone who is mentally tough, an athlete who can deal with the peaks and valleys of athletic competition. Almost every single member of our teams placed in the top six of her state track meet, with 15 of them coming in either first or second at the state meet.

Q: What do you see as top priority for a student-athlete in your program?
A: Obviously, our student-athletes come to Miami to receive an outstanding academic education and graduate within four years; that is always their number one priority. But I also believe competing in intercollegiate athletics provides learning "outside the classroom," which is valuable for a person in finding out about his or her strengths and weaknesses as well. We want our team to balance the learning process gained inside the classroom with those experiences gained outside. Together, I think it assists the individual to leave Miami a more well-rounded person than when she entered. I have a firm belief that students can successfully balance outstanding academics with high-level athletics.

Q: What does a student-athlete need to do to be successful in your program?
A: As I've looked back over the last 20 years at Miami, I think there are a few things that all the highly successful student-athletes had. They all had talent, but that really was a small piece of their success. All had an outstanding desire; a burning desire for success that permeated everything they did. Each of them was willing to sacrifice for success, doing the extra things that add up to better performances. All of them had an enthusiasm for success and were willing to challenge themselves to achieve that success.

Q: What type of scholarships are available through the Miami cross country or track and field team?
A: Miami University has done a great job of getting us more financial aid and we are a fully-funded program. With 21 events in collegiate track and field, we typically split our scholarships into different percentages of aid. Our goal is to have a well-balanced team with good athletes in each event. Some of the scholarships are smaller and some larger, depending on the ability and achievements of the high school athlete. We also have a good record of assisting walk-on athletes who score at the MAC Championships or upgrading athletes who improve throughout their career. Over the last 20 years, we have provided new financial aid to 44 walk-on team members or upgraded athletes 99 times. I am very proud of that fact.

Q: What is a typical track practice like?
A: The practices are very intense. If athletes want to run well on Saturday, they need to challenge themselves Monday through Friday. We attempt, through the training that we do, to put our athletes under the same physiological and psychological demands that they find in meets. In the fall track program, much of our focus is on improving the foundational strength and fitness of the athletes. During the indoor season, we are focused on refining the technique of the athletes. In the spring, we are focused more on high-level performance. If we are on the track, we spend about 20 minutes doing a warm-up and flexibility routine. We then have about a 60-to90-minute block of time working on their specialty area, whether it be interval training or technical training. We then spend another 20 minutes or so cooling down and getting to the training room for preventative measures. If we are scheduled for strength training, we spend about 60 minutes on the track followed by 60-90 minutes in the strength and conditioning facility.

Q: How committed is Miami to the women's cross country and track and field program?
A: I am convinced our athletic department wants us to be as successful as we can be. The University upgraded our team travel and recruiting budgets, staffing and facilities within the last three years. Four years ago, the University designated almost $500,000 to refurbish the outdoor track facility and bought new equipment to go with that project. We are discussing a new indoor track facility, about which I am excited and believe will become a reality. Over the last 20 years, based on our program's MAC finish, we have had the second-best record of all MAC teams in conference cross country action and third-best in conference track and field competition. We have produced the third-most MAC individual champions and the second-most all-Americans of any MAC program. While these are good indicators of our program, I think we should aspire to be the very best in the MAC. I think we have the athletic administration for that to happen.