My Georgetown Experience

Your story is not my story. Narratives of one person’s experience, does not and should not define groups of people or institutions. To be honest, being a black woman is hard enough without having to defend my story against others. I will start by saying my number one goal was never to GET TO Georgetown, it was to take down records and EXCEL AT Georgetown. Fortunately, I had a great support system within my coaches to get me to some of the highest levels of D1 competition and to help me overcome challenges along the way. My journey was not easy. As a black woman on a predominantly white track team at a predominantly white university I developed a thick skin. Not every word was meant to offend me and the things that did offend me I had spoken directly to the people who had said those words. I knew that going into Georgetown I would most likely be one of very few black people on the track team. I knew that Georgetown did not have great facilities for the track team to utilize at practice. I knew that Georgetown’s outdoor track was shared with the community and seconds as a dog park (fact!). I knew that I was not a sprinter but would probably race on 4x4s because Georgetown wasn’t a sprints focused program when I was recruited, and being a mid-distance runner, I didn't mind that. I knew that Georgetown University’s idea of a training room was an ice tub, 4 massage tables (only for the injured athletes, no preventative massages) and an understaffed medical team. And to this day I know that being a minority at Georgetown University is hard and sometimes I would feel out of place.

What I also know is when airing grievances one should include the full story to avoid the outrageous task of marking yourself perfect. (And this is the part where I am personally offended). If we are talking about the character of the coaches I will like for anyone reading to know a few things about them.

For Coach Henner, he has always been there for me since I stepped on Georgetown’s campus freshman year. There were some things that I was afraid to talk to him about, because I didn't think he would understand, but it turned out he did. You see, Henner and I are very similar, we love to jam out to Rock and Roll and Frank Ocean, and we are both wonderful singers (in our head). I remember the beginning of my Junior year when Coach Milt left and I had no clue what I was going to do (stay or transfer). Coach Henner coached me through one of my worst workouts; I was tired from not sleeping, and stressing about the staff change. I will remember his words for the rest of my life, “this workout doesn’t define you. We are going to get through this. You need to do whatever it is to make yourself happy, that's the most important thing for you right now.” I don't know anyone who talks to their “machines” with such positive reinforcement. And every crappy race and horrible workout since he has been the one I am least afraid to talk to, always reminding me that there is more to life than just running fast. When my condition (endometriosis) became very painful and almost unbearable my senior year at Georgetown he reminded me that even if I decided to remove myself from the team he would always be there for me. THAT is the Pat Henner I know. The one who would jam out to Frank Ocean with me at Big East after my first Championship win and who reminded me that life goes on at a pivotal point in my career. Henner has never had a negative outlook on my running, even when I was at my worst, and I appreciate him for always believing in me.

Michael Smith’s character? Before I ever heard his Barry White sounding voice introduce himself as my new coach I knew that he must be a lunatic for signing up for this job. But, fortunately, he turned out to be one of the most influential people in my life. You want to talk about race relations? This guy is your man. I AM PROUD TO CALL HIM MY COACH. The amount of hours I spent in his office talking about intersectionality and marginalization at Georgetown would probably add up to the amount of hours I spent thinking about it on my own. HE is who I turned to when I felt the need to talk about injustices. HE is who told me my feelings were important and legitimate. HE is someone who understood that being a minority at Georgetown was hard, and he wasn't afraid to talk to me about it and ask me how I was handling it. Mike was a teacher in Anacostia at a predominantly black school teaching inner-city, underprivileged black youth. He knows about race relations and speaks out on injustices. Beyond that, Mike doesn't have a negative coaching bone in his body. I remember after I ran horribly at NCAA Nationals my senior year. He told me, “I know this is very hard for you, I know what you have invested into this race. The only thing I want is for you to be honest with yourself.” It took a lot of time for me to realize that’s the greatest lesson you can teach an athlete. He always strived for us not only to run fast or win races, but also to be honest with ourselves. I can tell you one thing, if you are so afraid to be honest with yourself about your training and your performances you will go to extreme lengths to discredit those who made you look there.

My point is not to say that racism doesn't exist at Georgetown University, I know that it does, I have experienced it. What I certainly know is that racism does not exist in the coaching staff and it is not tolerated by any of the coaches at Georgetown. If any of the issues with teammates making racist remarks were 1) true or 2) brought to the coaches attention I am positive there would have been actions taken against said perpetrator. As a volunteer coach for the 2014-2015 school year I can tell you the majority of complaints being brought up does not fall within the coaching staff’s authority. What coach wouldn't want better facilities, athletes in every event to score points and win championships, the money and scholarships it takes to recruit said full track team, better/more gear and shoes for their athletes, and for their athletes to be treated to proper medical care when they need it?

-Chelsea Cox