Vandenbusche was the 2001 NCAA Division II Coach of the Year (WSC sports info) |
1. After winning the Division II Cross Country team titles for both the men and women in 2000 and 2001, how much do you look forward to the upcoming championships as one of the heavy favorites again?
We look forward to defending our championships in Ashville, OH and especially would like to become the first men's team ever in Division II to win 4 times in a row. However, we must qualify in the regional meet and are just taking things one day at a time.
2. Since 1992, your women have never finished out of the top three teams in the NCAA Division II cross country championships. How have you kept such a strong program year after year?
I believe that living in a very beautiful mountain area at the perfect elevation (7700') for running, with many outdoor activities available has greatly aided in recruiting good runners to come to WSC. We also have a great summer program and most of our runners stay here and train during the summer. The tradition also has helped a lot.
3. At the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships last season, both the men and women finished third respectively. What will you look to improve on heading into the indoor and outdoor seasons in 2003?
I think that we will attempt to approach the outdoor seasons in the same way that we have always approached them. This year if everything goes well we will have very good depth on the men's side and probably a little less depth on the women's side because of Hannah Lawrence graduating at the end of the fall and Rebekah Mackie staying out of school for the spring semester so she has a full year left in 2003-2004. I believe that we can improve in the steeple chase for both the men and women in the various distance events.
4. Last year Michael Aish was the NCAA Division II Cross Country National Champion. Jennifer Michel was a three-time national champion in track and field, and finished ninth in the 3000 meter steeplechase at the 2001 US Outdoor Championships. How have they both helped your program now as assistant coaches at Western State?
Both Michael and Jennifer have helped me tremendously as assistant coaches. Jennifer is currently student teaching in Gunnison during the fall semester so she has not been involved this x-country season. She will however, be my assistant coach again this spring. Both Michael and Jennifer have great rapport with my athletes and have made great suggestions regarding work outs. They have great credibility because of their previous success in running. I have another outstanding assistant coach in Nelson Laux who was an All-American for me in both x-country and track and field and he has also been invaluable.
5. After many successful years in the NAIA, Western State joined the NCAA Division II in 1992. Are there any plans among the administration to try and move up to and compete at the Division I level any time in the near future?
There are no plans to move up to Division I because obviously that would involve much more than just x-country, i.e. money, different sports, student enrollment. However, much of our competition is involved with Division I anyway in many of our x-country meets and also at major track and field meets like the Mt. SAC Relays.
6. Besides running solid times on the track, what else do you look for in an athlete when you are recruiting them in high school?
The two things that are most important to me outside of times in x-country and distance running are: 1. being a good person and 2. being a good student. I do not recruit poor students who are not serious in the classroom. Also, the passion for running is very important to me. We get many athletes who are mediocre in high school but who through hard work and dedication run very well before they leave WSC.
7. Training in the state of Colorado has many benefits. Describe the most important ones and, if any, the possible drawbacks and how to overcome them.
I think the most important benefit is the elevation. However, there are other benefits and I one of the big ones is being able to run on dirt all the time and the prevalence of great running trails and mountain bike trails. The Gunnison country is simply a beautiful area to run in and all of my athletes look forward to their distance days and over-distance day when we run on these trails in the mountains. In addition our weather has perpetual sun, little wind and low humidity.
8. During the summer and off seasons, are there any camps your program conducts for the athletes out there?
We do have the WSC High Altitude Distance camp every summer with approximately 100 athletes ranging from age 14-17. This coming year our camp will run from July 20-26, 2003.
9. Before your time at Western State, where were some of your previous coaching positions and who have you learned from the most along the way?
When I came to WSC in 1962, I came as a history professor and that is still my major academic area. I was not trained in physical education or coaching. I jokingly tell my athletes that the college I graduated from regarding x-country and distance coaching was the school of hard knocks. I have learned a lot from trial and error through the years and have tried never to make the same mistake twice. Joe Vigil who used to coach at Adams State and who now coaches Deena Drossin and Jen Rhines among others had a great impact on me.
10. Do you pay any attention to the numerous running websites out there that sometimes have bold predictions and opinions on their message boards?
My secretary who is typing this is chuckling and so am I. I am not real skilled on computers and pay absolutely no attention to the numerous web sites. I would be uninterested in predictions and opinions - I only believe in results on the x-country course and track - talk is cheap.
11. For someone who is having interest in possibly competing in cross country or distance for the first time, what kind of advice would you give them to start off on the right foot?
I would only give this advice:
1. Start with reasonable mileage and build up gradually.
2. Run on soft surfaces.
3. Lift weights with emphasis on the upper body 3 days a week.
4. Do a lot of stretching before and after practice.
5. Be patient.