Coaches Corner

     Cross Country Coach Joe Samprone is unique to the coaching fraternity of GCSU.
     He is the only Bobcat coach that can be referred to as Doctor. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics and was a professor at GCSU long before becoming a varsity sports coach.
     “I was a faculty member about nine to 10 years ago when they asked me to help out with cross country,” said Samprone, who has been teaching at GCSU since 1983.
     Samprone served as an assistant coach in 1998 and 1999 before taking over the program in 2000.
     “I was interested in running, although I had never run competitively myself, I was just helping out,” Samprone said. “I was asked later if I would take over cross country, and that’s how I got into cross country.”
     Samprone has been a runner for over 30 years and has ran for enjoyment and in some road races.
     “It’s really become one of those labors of love,” Samprone said of his experience with the team. “I enjoy running and I really enjoy helping our runners; it’s been a lot of fun and I’ve just sort of continued it.”
     In his tenure, the Cross Country team has been very successful, capped by this past season in which the men’s team finished second in the Peach Belt Conference race and the women also had a strong showing, placing fifth.
     “Last year was pretty good,” Samprone said. “It’s probably the best we’ve done, in my memory. As two teams, both of them did very well.”
     Samprone is most proud of his athletes in the classroom. The women’s team averaged a collective GPA of 3.63 last semester and the men posted a 3.1 GPA, both were the highest GPAs for a team in women’s and men’s athletics.
     “When the runners average Dean’s List or better you’re happy,” Samprone said. “The dedication I see in their training flows over to the classroom.”
     Samprone wants his runners to continue to enjoy the experience as much as he has while keeping that dedication.
     “The thing that makes me the happiest is the people,” Samprone said. “It’s been a very pleasant experience.”

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Apr 13 2007. Filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry