HAYWARD, Calif. -- This past Saturday, Feb. 21, Cal State East Bay played host to its first Track & Field Coaching Summit. This year's event was a huge success, featuring several dynamic speakers who are true pioneers in the sport.

Summit attendees were treated to nearly six hours hours of dialogue with some of the most decorated coaches in the Bay Area around a central theme: to improve track and field at all levels through proper progression and identification.

"This was a super clinic, and one that we look forward to growing and improving every year," said CSUEB head coach Ralph Jones, who coordinated the event. "This was the first summit of its kind that I've hosted since I came to East Bay, and I think it can grow into a major event that will benefit coaches of all age groups and levels."

The key note speaker was three-time Olympian and Cal State East Bay Athletics Hall of Famer Marilyn King, who shared her story of triumph and mental toughness. While training for the 1980 Olympics, King's car was rear-ended, and she suffered a fused disc in her back. Unable to physically train because of her injury, she mentally prepared herself by watching videos and visualizing herself competing. She ended up placing second to qualify for the Olympics after not doing any physical training for six months.

King left the sport after that in order to research how she was able to accomplish such a feat. She is now a renowned public speaker and humanitarian, training fortune 500 companies and inner city youth how to accomplish their goals through Olympian thinking. 

Former Cal State Hayward jumper and highly successful jumps coach Mr. Arno Brewer also spoke at the summit. Brewers shared his thoughts on developing training programs for youth athletes, and how to progress them properly throughout their careers by making sure they have fun.

Dr. Marcel Hetu discussed the proper progressions for young distance runners and took attendees through different activities and exercises. He shared ideas about training theory for coaches to implement when they returned to their teams.

The summit was concluded with a dynamic presentation by Michael Reid of American River College, who discussed the importance of variety with young athletes and knowing when to begin to specialize. Afterwards, attendees were treated to pictures with Marilyn King and her Olympic Torch.