| Copyright © 2007 Ed Bagley | | | | Mid-American Conference titles and was named MAC |
| Michigan State University's cross-county and track & | | | | Coach of the Year twice. |
| field programs have taken a really positive step | | | | In short, Drenth has won team titles and produced |
| forward with the appointment of Walt Drenth as the | | | | individual champions at every coaching stop in his |
| director. | | | | 20-plus-year career. He will not be stepping up at |
| Just as Tom Izzo has led the Spartan basketball | | | | Michigan State as much as stepping up Michigan |
| program back to national prominence, and new | | | | State's running programs because winners win and |
| first-year coach Mark Dantonio has already | | | | losers don't. |
| dramatically improved Michigan State's football | | | | In examining Michigan State's 2007 roster of men and |
| fortunes with a bowl appearance, Walt Drenth will | | | | women runners, I find that 35 of the 45 runners |
| create a winning tradition among Spartan runners. | | | | (77%) are from Michigan. Rule 1 is to dominate |
| Drenth arrived on campus as a proven winner about | | | | recruiting in your state. Do not let good runners get |
| to become a more successful winner at Michigan | | | | away to other schools and beat you. This is doubly |
| State. He had spent 7 years as Arizona State's head | | | | important for Drenth because among the 50 states, |
| cross-country coach, turning a failing team into one | | | | Michigan has the 8th largest population. |
| of the premier performers in the West. | | | | An insider has told me that Drenth does not play |
| When he arrived at Arizona State, neither of the | | | | psychologist with his athletes. In other words, his |
| men or women cross-country runners had ever made | | | | program is performance-based. I really like Drenth's |
| a team appearance at the nationals nor earned a | | | | approach. Apparently he does not hand out |
| national ranking. The women had never even | | | | scholarships like candy. Talking a good game will get |
| produced one All-American runner. | | | | you nowhere; you must perform to reap any |
| Under Drenth's leadership, encouragement and | | | | rewards for your effort. |
| motivation, the Arizona State women have been to | | | | It does not automatically follow that a state |
| the NCAA Championships 5 years in a row, including a | | | | champion distance runner in high school will enjoy the |
| school-record 6th place finish. They have also been | | | | same success level at college. College races are |
| two-time regional runners-up, 3-time Pac 10 | | | | longer, the competition is much better, and the |
| runners-up, posted a program-best No. 3 national | | | | academic and social adjustments at college level are |
| ranking, and produced a woman All American 4 years | | | | more difficult. |
| in a row. | | | | You must have some talent to succeed at a higher |
| The Arizona State men made their first appearance | | | | level. You must be willing to work hard by training |
| at the nationals, were nationally ranked, and logged a | | | | consistently and effectively. You must have personal |
| school-record 3rd place finish at the regionals. Drenth | | | | growth emotionally to withstand the ups and downs |
| also made a difference by coaching the distance | | | | of performance and improvement. You must also |
| runners in track as they produced 12 school records | | | | develop a mental toughness to separate yourself |
| in distance events and 14 became All-Americans. | | | | from the pack. A runner or athlete who wants to be |
| Not too shabby considering that there are 299 NCAA | | | | a champion must announce himself or herself by |
| Division 1 Men's Cross-Country programs at last | | | | separating from the lead pack. There is a reason why |
| count. | | | | Steve Prefontaine was a front runner. Trust me |
| None of this was new to Walt Drenth, who led the | | | | when I say it was not because he planned on losing |
| College of William & Mary to 5 Colonial Athletic | | | | the race. |
| Association (CAA) cross-country titles and 2 track | | | | Getting to the top is not so much about having the |
| and field titles in 6 years, and was named CAA | | | | will to win-everyone wants to win-but having the will |
| Cross-Country Coach of the Year 5 times. William & | | | | to prepare to win. Preparation is everything that will |
| Mary was also a District II champion in cross-country | | | | is not. Having the will to win is a want, but preparing |
| and Drenth was District II Coach of the Year twice. | | | | to win is a need. What is opportunity without |
| His William & Mary track teams won 2 CAA titles and | | | | preparedness? Nothing but an opportunity wasted. It |
| he tutored 5 All-American runners. | | | | is only when preparedness meets opportunity head |
| Prior to coaching at William & Mary, Drenth was the | | | | on that an explosion happens and something exciting |
| head cross-country and assistant track and field | | | | takes place. Look for an explosion of running success |
| coach at his alma mater, Central Michigan University. | | | | at Michigan State University as Walt Drenth is |
| He won a District IV title there and was named | | | | prepared to make it happen. |
| District IV Coach of the Year. Drenth also won 2 | | | | |