Jon Lambert

Coach Profile: Michael Walker

1/6/2021 10:45:00 AM

By: Norman Yacko

Each Wednesday, TCNJ Athletics will profile a coach from one of its programs. Today, its assistant track & field and cross country coach Michael Walker '00. Walker is primarily responsible for the Lions' distance runners.

You are now entering your sixth season at TCNJ as an assistant coach following your career as a student-athlete at the college. What initially drew you to the college and what has made you continue to come back?

I actually started out at Penn State University and competed there for a few years. I liked Trenton State, but the school didn't have my initial major of architecture. After switching my major to education, I knew Trenton State was the best fit financially and for my education degree. Competing was important to me, but my choice of schools was solely based on cost and the educational value.
I was lucky to have friends already at TCNJ, and the coaching staff was exceptional. They made the transition easy and the experience that much better. I really liked the education program and staff. The professors knew who you were and what your interests were outside of the classroom. I enjoyed my time at PSU, but TCNJ and the surrounding area felt like home.
I thoroughly enjoyed my years teaching and coaching after I graduated from TCNJ, but when the assistant coaching position opened up, I felt like I couldn't pass on the opportunity. I thought it would be exciting to add to the tradition and work with a passionate coach like Justin, and it has turned out to be even better than I imagined.

What is it about TCNJ that sets itself apart from other colleges and athletic programs?

For me, TCNJ has everything you should want in a college. It is affordable, great education that sets up students for the next phase, close to a variety of experiences (big cities, beach, parks and nature, etc.). I met my wife when we were both athletes at TCNJ, and we bought our house soon after we graduated in Ewing. I love this area and being around TCNJ.
As for the athletic programs, TCNJ has such a rich history and tradition of success and championships that speak for themselves. What sets it apart for me is the staff and the student-athletes. The amount of experience and enthusiasm that each coach brings to their programs inspires me to push myself to keep improving. The student-athletes that we get to work with are so intelligent and hard-working. It is enjoyable to be around these kinds of people who like to work hard and get the best out of themselves.

Primarily a distance coach, in the five years you have been an assistant, TCNJ has won six team and five individual NJAC Cross Country Championships. How do you maintain that consistent success year after year?

When a group of individuals trust each other and put in the consistent effort each day without taking any shortcuts, that group is bound to succeed. The championships are part of that success, but the skills the athletes are learning along the way are more important and will help them throughout their lives.

What are some of the top memories and moments from your coaching career?

The championships and NCAA runs are terrific and fun experiences, but I honestly get more enjoyment from the moments when the team or an individual reaches their potential and obtains their goals.
- The men's cross country team qualifying for nationals in 2016 was exciting because no one outside of us expected that to happen.
- The 2018 women's cross country team racing nationals at Wisconsin-Oshkosh was a blast (that was the same course of my last college cross country race - nationals '99).
- Erin Holzbaur making the finals at nationals her senior year in the steeplechase - I have never experienced nerves for any race as an athlete or coach quite like that one.
- Emma Bean ran a gutsy and fantastically executed double (10k and 5k) to help the team with big points at outdoor NJACs 2018. She almost set a 5k PR during the second half of her 10k win and still came back the next day to help us score 1, 2, 3 in the 5k. Thirty-seven and a half laps of pure toughness.
- The 2019 men's cross country team and their regional performance was inspiring. The team was made up of a mix of top recruits and walk-ons, and the guys finally believed in themselves and put together a really strong team race on a day when most wilted in the adverse conditions (icy, snowy, and below 10 degrees at race time).

What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your coaching career?

Dealing with the pandemic and trying to help our student-athletes is the most challenging time of my life. I miss being around the athletes and our staff.

Who are some of the people that have helped you the most in your career?

I think I have been lucky as an athlete and as a coach. I still get guidance from my high school coaches, Ed Moore and Vince Phillips. I learned a lot in my time at PSU under Coach Groves and at TCNJ under Steve Dolan and Tim Collins.
I also owe a lot to Justin Lindsey. He has made the transition to college coaching seamless for me. It is great to work with someone who has high expectations and wants to help the athletes reach their full potential. I have learned a lot about coaching at the collegiate level from him, and it has been a blast.
Lastly, I owe a lot to my wife Karen and our assistant coach Martine McGrath. They have helped me become a better coach of our women runners, and I have become a better person for it.

Prior to coaching at the college, you had a successful career as a head coach at the high school level. What is the biggest difference between coaching at the two levels?

I view my role as a coach the same as an educator. I am teaching the athletes skills that will help them become a better runner, but also better in school, in their career, and in their personal lives. I have tried to teach those skills to any level runner from a novice 14-year old high school freshman to a veteran 22-year old college senior. The biggest difference between the two levels is the life experiences of each athlete, but the end goal is always the same.

Outside of coaching, what would people find interesting about your day-to-day life?

Being a father of three is exciting and terrifying, fun and exhausting, heavenly and hellish, and that's all before breakfast on a typical day. I'm not sure if others would find that interesting, but I am never bored and always amazed at what new thoughts and questions my kids (9, 11, and 13) bring to me.

Is there anything you would like to say to all of the student-athletes that you have coached?

Thank you for allowing me to be part of your life. I know the world is in good hands with each of you heading out to your respective professions, and I feel like things will get steadily better because of people like you.

Extra Point – Question from our last coach profile (Edwyn Edwards): What has been your favorite show(s) that you got to watch while we were in quarantine?

The Mandalorian has been my favorite to watch with my kids. At the start of quarantine, we started a "family movie night" each Sunday. My kids are really into the Harry Potter books, so we watched all the movies. I did not read the books or see any of the movies before, so it was fun to see how invested my kids were with the characters and the story.

Pose a question you would like to hear answered by our next coach.

If you weren't a coach, what other profession could or would you want to be?

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