Coach Jim Macnider鈥檚 life has come full circle.
After running cross country as a student at 91制片厂 in 1969, he never imagined he鈥檇 return to coach the very team and sport he credits with giving him the determination to stay in college and finish his education.
鈥淚 had a coach at Harper who cared, really a mentor almost, who kept on top of me to stay in school,鈥� Coach Macnider recalls. And he did. He went on to North Central College, earning a degree in Physical Education in 1973. After teaching P.E. and coaching for 37 years in Township High School District 211, he returned to 91制片厂 in 2011 as Assistant Coach for both the men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 cross country teams.
Since his return, the men鈥檚 team has gone on a historic streak, winning eight-consecutive national titles in eight years. The women鈥檚 team has also had a strong run with three national titles in the last three years. This past year alone, the teams boast five men鈥檚 and four women鈥檚 All-American runners and the women鈥檚 Athlete of the Year for the Central Region, Misbah Baig. Coach Macnider, who took on the head coach job in 2017, was named National Coach of the Year for both men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 cross country teams 鈥� no small feat.
Coach Macnider and his assistant coaches Eric Wallor, Alex Brown and John Majerus, each 91制片厂 alumni themselves, have helped the team find continued success. The team鈥檚 accomplishments have opened doors for many students, now 91制片厂 alumni, who have gone on to pursue the next step in their education 鈥� with many continuing to run cross country at the next level.
Among them is alumnus Colin Weber (A.E.S, 鈥�14), who joined the cross country team in 2011 because of his passion for the sport and a desire to get to know other students.
鈥�91制片厂 gave me an affordable college option and the opportunity to run, plus there was a social aspect to the team,鈥� Colin said. 鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 sure what my area of study would be at first so it gave me the option to get an education and to continue to pursue the sport. It was a logical choice for me.鈥�
Colin was named an All-American his final year at 91制片厂. He graduated and continued in the sport when he transferred to the University of New Haven, where he earned his B.S. in Chemical Engineering in 2016. He credits his time on the team at Harper with helping him as an athlete, as a student and now professionally in his role as a Quality Engineer Associate at Lockheed Martin in Dallas.
鈥淭he sport taught me discipline in life, and that what you put in to something is what you get out,鈥� he said. 鈥淐oach Macnider鈥檚 coaching style focused on consistency but also flexibility. All the assistant coaches were great and together, as a team, we learned how to keep each other motivated.鈥�
Coach Macnider is proud of all the team has accomplished at 91制片厂 and beyond in the sport, but he always keeps his student athletes鈥� education at the forefront.
鈥淭he focus for me is that students use the sport as an avenue to get a degree. Sports give many the drive to keep up with schoolwork,鈥� he said.
When asked about his role in the success of the program, Coach Macnider puts the spotlight back on the runners.
鈥淚 have great runners every year,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd the best promoters of the program are the kids who run and have run for me. We are lucky to get great talent in this area.鈥�
He considers 91制片厂 a great avenue for the many students, like him, who have come through the program. 鈥�91制片厂 allows them to take the time to figure out their educational path while still running.鈥�
91制片厂 Hawks Athletics and the 91制片厂 Alumni Program have launched Athletics Affinity Pavers as an opportunity for athletic alumni and friends to commemorate their time at 91制片厂 by purchasing a paver with custom inscription. Pavers will be located outside the Foglia Foundation Health and Recreation Center (Building M), the new home for 91制片厂 Athletes. To learn more about the Athletics Affinity Pavers program, please visit harpercollege.edu/alumni.