Coach Lyle Claussen

During last night’s visit about upcoming workouts, Coach shared how he as a substitute teacher in southeast Nebraska put the local all-star football players in their place during class (keep reading). This caused my reflecting on his many lessons over the years. Too many to cover here.

I first met Lyle when I moved to Kearney, NE after graduating from Kansas State in 1990. Before a local 5K in June he turned around and warmed-up with me, we have been friends since.

He transformed University of Nebraska—Kearney, then Kearney State College, from an average men’s NAIA cross country program to one of the nation’s best, regardless of division.

I once asked this member of the South Dakota Hall of Fame who has spoken at a multitude of Coaching Clinics across America, “Is there is a race distance or track event that you have not been asked to speak about at a clinic?”

“Yes, the javelin and the hammer throw. But those are easy, get out of the way…” Lol

As a coach, he modeled for his NCAA Div II teams with five top eight and three top four national championship finishes in six years little things such as to stand back from the luggage carousel at the airport until your bag has arrived. Many business people fail to understand this simple concept. It’s about awareness and respect of others.

He insisted that his top teams and All-American runners run absolutely no more than three abreast, preferably two abreast, keeping the pack in tight formation near the curb or side of the road while running down the streets and the roads facing traffic. It’s about awareness, safety, and respect for others.

Yesterday (Tuesday 08/29/2016), he stopped lecturing during class while serving as a long-term sub. He then stood in front of the class with his arms crossed. Most of the class focused their attention on him. The two star athletes continued visiting. He stood silent until they became silent.

“Have you two believed you’re deserving of special attention (or favor) all of your life or are you being obnoxious because I am a substitute teacher?”

They remained silent.

Coach continued, “Yes, I am a coach (he assists with cross country and track) and I like athletes. In fact, because I am a coach and like athletes, I have much higher expectations for those who are athletes in my classes. So far, you two have failed to reach the lowest standard for any student.” (May not be verbatim, yet close.)

The all-star athletes and the rest of the class were stunned.

“You should have seen some of their eyes and facial expressions.”

If you're a standout in any specialty, the more that is expected of you by your peers in all of life.

Choose high performance over highly arrogant and obnoxious behavior.