Warning: You’ll Want to Join Novi
Cross Country After Reading This

May 15th, 2007

I’ve read a number of letters by former athletes, talking about their great coaches, and the great programs that created them. It’s a favorite recruiting tactic of college coaches, and I’ve nearly “fallen” for them a number of times. And while you may think this is just another letter in that line, I’d say this one is unique.

As I live out my final days at Novi High School, there are many things that I look back on and smile. Great times in my favorite classes, some teachers that have undoubtedly changed my life, the pride and energy put into countless radio/TV broadcasts and articles like these. But there’s only one line of memories that make tears well up with nostalgia, and that’s my cross country memories.

For the most part, I’m ready to move on from high school, but it’s cross country that makes me want to stay forever. Sitting here today, on May 14th, I can’t quite come to terms with the fact that I’ll never be able to suit up in those emerald and white uniforms again. I’ll never get to drink guzzle with Coach Smith, nor watch him imitate the most pitiful push-ups. I’ll never again feel the pride that welled up when a new PR was set, a new championship was won, or a new mileage shirt was earned for my school.

I can’t imagine a more pleasurable, rewarding and life-altering experience. I almost didn’t run cross country my freshman year, but after just one practice I found a group of 30 guys that not only liked to run, but also enjoyed the same types of music (of course, Journey tops the list), and had the mutual respect for hard work that I did.

And all this has been a reflection on Coach Smith. I’m sure that the same great family atmosphere (after all how many teams have seniors that actually like to hang out with freshman when outside of their sport), would be possible without Smith’s leadership. The friends I’ve made the past four years, I hope, will last the rest of my life. That includes seniors when I was a freshman and freshmen now that I’m a senior. As for Smith, he’s the only constant over the 9 years the team has been top ten in the state. He’s got to be doing something right.

As I wrote this Smith sent an email to a number of athletes, including myself, explaining how he’d love to travel to North Carolina with us to compete at Nationals. There’s no length that he won’t go for you, if you go the distance for him in practice and at meets.

As I close this infomercial for Novi cross country know this: when I said that the above make me well up with tears, it’s happening right now. Novi cross country was the single greatest thing ever to happen to me, and it can be for you too. All it takes is commitment and an undying passion to be the best runner you can be.

Ask Coach Smith today to join winningest, nicest, and classiest team in the school. You won’t regret it; you’ll only regret that it can’t last forever.