Colorado State University Athletics
CSU's high-caliber throwing program prides itself on tradition
7/3/2008 12:00:00 AM | Outdoor Track & Field
July 3, 2008
By Danielle Marshall
Athletic Media Relations
Track & field Head Coach Brian Bedard, 2008 MWC coach of the year and CSU Hall of Honor inductee, has coached 50 conference champions, 32 All-American performances, and two national champions in 19 seasons as both an assistant coach and a head coach here at Colorado State. All of CSU’s school records in throws have come during his tenure as the Ram’s throwing events coach. It takes not only good recruiting, but also hard work from each of the athletes to have a throwing program with such an elite reputation.
Recruiting
When recruiting, Bedard looks for physical characteristics which include height, a big frame and long arms. Casey Malone, former Colorado State thrower, Olympian and current assistant coach at the University of Colorado, was awarded a small scholarship when he came to Colorado State as a freshman. “He was 6’8”, he didn’t lift, he played basketball, but he had a big frame and long arms,” Bedard said.
Malone improved his events while at Colorado State and later participated in the 2004 Olympic Games. He placed sixth in the discus competition.
Jason Schutz was also an athlete that came to CSU with a few pieces missing from the puzzle. “Schutz was a walk-on,” Bedard said. “He was weaker than most, but tall at 6’5”, and he could sprint fast. He was a good all-around athlete and had a good work ethic.”
Schutz just completed his senior year sixth in the nation in the discus at the NCAA championships at Drake Stadium, with a throw of 186-3. He also became an All-American for the second consecutive year, something that only four other athletes in Colorado State history have ever done. The Rams have had an All-American in the throwing event on 15 occasions.
Loree Smith, a 2005 graduate, had never seen a hammer before coming to CSU. At the end of her college career she holds two school records in the hammer and the shot put, three All-American awards, nine Mountain West Conference titles and a gold medal from the North American-Central American Championships in the hammer. At one point she held the NCAA record for hammer throw with a toss of 229-9. She became the first ever female athlete at Colorado State to win the NCAA title in 2005 with a hammer throw of 224-8.
Tradition
When asked what the most important thing the athletes are trained for, Bedard replied with rhythm and release. He said, “The faster you release it, the farther it will go.” However, in order to guide the athletes to be as good as their potential, training starts off the field. The throwing program has a sense of tradition. Freshmen enter the program knowing who holds the records on the Top 20 list. They are encouraged to leave their mark in the program by placing their name on it, thus moving coach Bedard down the list - an extra motivator.
Mentors
Juniors and seniors become mentors to the younger athletes as they get older and gain more experience. “Adam Trainor [2005 graduate] was bad coming in,” Bedard said. “He told Jason Schutz where he started out and what he did with his time here. It helps move freshman through the tough spots.”
Athletes are a critical part to the success of the throwing program. They carry on the tradition through mentoring and leaving a legacy at Colorado State. “There is a competitive atmosphere among the athletes, but it’s healthy,” Bedard said. “There’s a sense of camaraderie; they wish their teammates well.”
The athletes know what they need to do to get better. Bedard listens to their goals and gives a number of small steps to help them achieve a better throwing game. “If an athlete has completed six out of the 10 steps, that’s no good,” Bedard said.
Academics
Bedard and the other coaches help the throwers in every aspect of their lives at school. They discuss sleeping, eating healthy, their social life and academics. The average GPA for the female track athletes is 3.2, and the men are just behind them with 3.1. The women are also first out of all Division I sports at CSU with the most Mountain West Conference Scholar-Athlete Awards this year at 11. The men are in second with eight awards.
Bedard says, “Academic success depends on the coach. If the athletes struggle, they will not be able to travel, or their scholarship will not be renewed; whatever it takes.” Many freshman who received high test scores in high school, will get pulled aside for a reality check once the college life has taken a hold of them and grades start slipping. “We need them committed; it’s the accountability factor.”
The Colorado State Track team sent five individuals to Olympic trials this year. Also competing are CSU alumni Casey Malone, Brian Trainor, and Loree Smith.
