Add talent and good coaching, and you've got a recipe for something that tastes pretty good, even better than your mom's chicken soup.
-Tom Mulligan, Indoor Track coach
| Sophomore Chamia Peterson leapt to first place in the women's long jump finals at the NCAC indoor track and field championships. Peterson propelled almost 2' farther than the second place finisher, junior Amie Ely. After a successful season as the starting point guard for the women's basketball team, Peterson joined indoor track and field at the latter stage of the season. Peterson not only finished first in the long jump competition on Friday, but she set an Oberlin record in the event and helped get the Yeowomen to a third place finish in the championship finals. |
Chamia Peterson (photo courtesy of S.I.D) |
Track Coach Tom Mulligan was named the conference coach of the year. He took the women's indoor track team to a third place finish and watched the team break seven records.
Coach Mulligan was not alone in his efforts. He was supported by coaches Thomas Smith, Daryl Nalle, Jen Sturge and Suzanne Garland.
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Hometown: Chicago, Ill. Position: Assistant football and track coach |
(photo courtesy of S.I.D) |
What was growing up like for you?
My dad was a successful high school football coach. I guess sports was sort of ingrained. I liked football, basketball and baseball. I saw the impact he made on high school students, so since grammar school I knew that I wanted to coach.
Where did you go to school?
I went to Brown University and I got my Masters at the University of Illinois. Brown didn't influence coaching at all. I majored in Computer Science, then got my Masters in Athletic Administration.
Do you follow track?
I do. I don't know if I'm a track nut, but I'm abreast of the stars in the field.
What would you say to someone who thinks track is not a spectator sport?
I think they're missing out on indoor track because it's in an arena. You could say that about outdoor track, but because there is an arena atmosphere the fans could add a lot more. There is so much intensity there.
What's your favorite sport?
Well, football, of course. I grew up liking the Chicago Bears, but once free agency started, it didn't only apply to the players: I became a free agency fan. I pick a favorite team to follow each year. This year, believe it or not, I picked the Broncos and the Buccaneers. I picked the Broncos because one of the players my dad coached is playing for them.
Are there personal characteristics of sprinters that differ from long distance or field event athletes?
Yes. I think sprinters are more aggressive. Distance runners are more patient. Sprinters like to do things and do them right now. The better a sprinter you are, the better you can exhibit your intensity over a short time.
How do Oberlin sports fit in with your image of college sports in general?
The Division III model is a lot more laid back than what we think of as college sports. Oberlin has a lot of talented people: not just in sports and academics. Oberlin is a place where you can still be an artist and an athlete. Oberlin is a little different because we are Division III. You can be the best athlete you can be and develop other aspects of yourself. If you're going to the University of Michigan you're going to study and do your sports and that's it.
What was your worst coaching moment?
I try not to remember. At Colby College, we had just qualified a team for nationals. It was the day after the Rodney King riots and a couple of our athletes got into an argument about it. One of the students didn't warm up properly after the argument and pulled a hamstring.
Do you have any superstitions?
I don't have any superstitions. When I was a player, I had a tape that I listened to always before games. Once I forgot the tape and I had a bad meet. But I'm a born-again Christian. I believe that Jesus Christ is in control of the situation. I like ritual for the sake of routine.
Do you like Oberlin?
Yes. I've enjoyed the people and the people that I've coached, especially the students I've coached for four years. You get attached.
Why are you so fast?
When I was a sophomore in high school I was 5'6'', 130 pounds and slow. Somewhere that summer I got faster. I don't know how. I was slow as a sophomore. I was fast as a junior. Then I just worked to develop whatever happened there.
- Baseball
- Sunday at Urbana
- Monday vs. Hiram 3:30 p.m.
- Men's Tennis
- Saturday vs. Ohio Northern
- Women's Tennis
- Thursday vs. Ashland at 7 p.m.
- Women's Rugby
- Saturday at Ohio Northern
Copyright © 1998, The Oberlin Review.
Volume 126, Number 18, March 13, 1998
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