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04/20/2017 12:00 AMAfter spending a decade as an assistant coach for several successful track and field teams at Guilford High School, George Cooksey is ready to apply everything he’s learned from those experiences and parlay it into a successful head-coaching career with the Indians.
George has been an assistant coach in Guilford’s indoor and outdoor track programs for the last 10 years, a time during which he’s worked alongside people like former cross country and indoor track Head Coach Jon Faitsch, former boys’ outdoor track Head Coach Chris Skaggs, and current Guilford cross country and track coach Jon Rivera. Now this spring, George is embarking on the next phase of his coaching career as he recently began his first season as the head coach of the Indians’ boys’ outdoor track squad.
“I had known most of the kids, especially the juniors and seniors, from working with them the past few seasons. I coached the distance runners last year,” says George. “I was hesitant to take the position at first because I knew how much time and commitment went into it, but I decided to take it because of all the kids I already knew. They know who I am, and it makes a huge difference.”
George doesn’t prioritize a particular running, jumping, or throwing technique when it comes to mentoring his student-athletes. Instead, George emphasizes that the kids respect the sport they’re competing in, while understanding the privilege they’ve earned by being out there.
“I like to emphasize the principle of gratitude of being able to pursue this sport. In track, there is a place for everyone to find something to do. There is also a great community for track. You can go all over the country and, whether you are a runner or a thrower, you can find someone who also is and have that instant connection,” George says. “Gratitude and respect are foundational to coaching for me. I teach kids that it’s about becoming the best athlete you can be. After that, it’s also about being on time and having a good attitude.”
Track and field is a sport where young athletes can travel a long and winding road in order to find the craft best suits them. It’s those coming-of-age stories that keep George coming back for more as a coach.
“I love seeing the idea that they are all striving to get better, so I try to help them do that the best I can,” he says. “I like to see the kids learning to keep an open mind and develop as athletes. To watch those I saw as freshmen now compete in varsity as seniors, it’s a long and amazing journey to be a part of.”
Rivera feels that George’s familiarity with the Guilford track and field family makes him an ideal fit to be a head coach with the Indians.
“George has many years of coaching experience. He is highly respected by the faculty at [Guilford High School] as both a teacher and a coach,” says Rivera. “Kids respond well to him and follow his lead. He is very organized and pays close attention to detail.”
Guilford brings back a strong core of athletes who are fresh off their solid seasons on the indoor circuit. This previous level of success is paving the way for what George hopes to be a prosperous rookie campaign as head coach of the Indians’ boys’ outdoor track squad.
“The boys came into this year in good shape. Jon Rivera prepared the kids well for this season through indoor track,” George says. “The spring season is a short period of time, so we are just trying to get them to work hard, also enjoy the sport, and maximize their potential. The building blocks are there for all of those things.”