What is the true definition of coaching? It’s basically supporting every athlete so s/he can perform his/her best. Coach Spence is the Carl Schurz High School cross country team and track coach. Coach Spence has been coaching the teams for four years. Being the first one at practice, the most responsible in practice, and last to leave defines the dedicated athletes on his team. He couldn’t wait to coach once he found out there was a running team. Coach Spence was a runner for four years in Rolling Meadows High School and also ran in the University of Chicago for two year before injuries.

Besides coaching, coach Spence also teaches Anthropology and World Studies. He expects his students and athletes to do their best in life. To be a coach you need to have a lot of patience with yourself and your athletes and of course dedication and passion on what you are coaching.

He’s not very satisfied on his coaching. He tries everyday to improve in coaching. He judges himself on what he could by looking at the runners he has. Like coach Spence says, “There’s always improvement in life.” The most significant responsibility coach Spence has in coaching is of course ‘responsibility’ which he really wasn’t aware of. He never knew the personal elements the athletes depend on with their coaches. It has taught him to have more self-confidence.

Besides that he knows it is important for his athletes to constantly improve in their skills of running, by telling them it’s all mental and to look at their form to see how they run and working out (stretching for no injuries). He says, “Nobody could run their best race, they can run.” There are always times when his athletes never listen and that’s what push-ups are for.

“Dedicated” is the one word coach Spence described the Schurz Cross Country Team. The athletes were always on time for practices and the athletes were committed to what they like to do. If it wasn’t for coach Spence and coach Weintraub the cross country team wouldn’t have never made it to the city championships. According to the coach, “Mental strength and determination are what makes up the Schurz Cross Country Team.”