Another Athlete's Georgetown Experience (#4)

I would like to start by thanking Chelsea for creating this blog. I am a current member of

the Georgetown Track and Field team and am incredibly hurt by the claims and accusations that

have been wrongly associated with the program over the past week. As a member of this team

and someone who works closely with the coaches every day, it is easy for me to read these

accusations and know that they are not true. Unfortunately, many who have read about these

allegations are outsiders and have only heard one side of the story.


When you haven’t had the privilege to work with the amazing people who make up the

Georgetown track and field and cross-country programs and you read about the investigations

taking place it is hard to know what and who to believe.


I am going to share with you my experience and hopefully this will shed some light on

what I, along with several others, know to be true about Georgetown. While I am sharing my

experiences, I am in no way saying that the way someone else may feel is wrong, because

“anytime anyone says “this is how I feel” you can’t tell them they’re wrong.” -Coach Mike


I have had four years of first hand experience with the track and field and

cross-country programs at Georgetown University. I have grown very close with my teammates

as well as the coaches and I can confidently say that they are all family to me. I came to

Georgetown from 3,000 miles away. I took a leap of faith when I decided I wanted to be apart of

the Hoya family, and I have to say that I was not disappointed or let down in the least. The

coaching staff at Georgetown, specifically coach Mike, has had an incredible impact on my

experience at the school, growth as a person, and successes in running. This transition from the

opposite side of the country could’ve gone several different ways, and I knew that coming in.


However, I also knew that (as evidenced by my visit) the people, culture and values of this

program were ones that I didn’t think I could find anywhere else. To this day, I am confident that

the women’s track and field team at Georgetown has a unique culture that several of my

teammates can attest to. I knew these people, teammates and coaches were going to be the ones

who I spend 90% of my time with when taking into account practice time during the week and

travel time on weekends. These people were the most important aspect to me, because I think

that the people you surround yourself with can make or break your life experiences. While there

was much uncertainty in moving 3,000 miles away from home there was comfort knowing that I

chose teammates and coaches that would make Georgetown feel like home.


I won’t look back and remember the times, places, splits or accolades of mine and my

teammates’ experience running for Georgetown, but I will however look back in twenty years

and remember the memories and times I shared with the people who turned into family. Coach

Mike being one of these people. I can certainly say that he is one of the main reasons I’ve had

such a positive experience at Georgetown. I would never for a second entertain the idea that he

exhibits prejudice toward any athlete on this team. He sees and treats us as if we were his own

children. He helps us make life decisions first as people and then as runners. His life story is

filled with countless experiences working closely with people who are different than him. Coach

Mike is one of the wisest people I’ve ever met, which is one of the reasons he is such an

incredible coach and leaves such a positive and lasting impact on those he comes in contact with.


Coach mike reminds us daily of how lucky we are to be a part of this team and how lucky

we are to simply be living, breathing and even able to walk to practice at a place like

Georgetown. This being said, it is not a right to run for Georgetown University. It is certainly a

PRIVELEDGE that is earned through hard work, perseverance, a positive attitude and a

willingness to go to the well for yourself and your teammates every single time you put on that

blue and gray. Georgetown holds all of us to an extremely high standard, which is what makes

being on this team so special. Everyone is on the same page in regards to what is expected of us

as teammates. We all work toward a common goal and if there is someone not contributing to

this goal or interfering with that, there is unfortunately no place for them on our team. This has

absolutely nothing to do with the color of our skin. These expectations are universal for everyone

who’s a part of the Hoya family. These same expectations are what make us such a successful,

driven and hardworking team. Everyday we come to practice knowing that each and every one of

us is more than capable of upholding these standards, and all of us value them.


No one said that it would be easy to run at Georgetown. However, if it were easy

everyone would do it. It may be an extreme challenge, but with this extreme challenge comes

great worth and reward. I also think that this worth and reward can be reaped by anyone who

believes, and is willing to work hard, fully engage and buy into the program, regardless of skin

color. If you aren’t willing to do those things, you will not reach your potential and you will

leave unsatisfied.