UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa— Successful teams do not come from just student-athletes' performances. Rather they form, at least partially, from relationships between athletes and coaches that grow over time. Track throwing coach Lucais MacKay has created a positive and personal bond with his athletes, extending on and off the track and field. One of the most successful of that group is senior thrower Michael Biddle.
For Biddle, the early time with his coaching staff was an adjustment.
"I was a little unsure when I first met him. He really took me under his wing and helped me bond with the team. He encouraged a lot of team events and team games to help get to know everybody," Biddle said.
A walk-on athlete his sophomore year at school, he came onto the track & field team with determined to aggressively improve his javelin skills. Being a new athlete on the team and growing up in a small town, he was a quiet kid at first.
"He is an in-state kid who is from a small town with a small high school. He was a walk-on athlete who picked up on coaching and his efforts are coming together for his third athletic year," MacKay said.
Biddle is a key member of the throwing squad showing the underclassmen what it takes to be successful.
"He is the most spirited, coaches award-type of athlete that you love coaching because he is hard working and leads by example. Now he is really starting to come into his own, competition wise," MacKay said.
Over the past two-plus years of MacKay and Biddle working together, their partnership has improved Biddle not only as an athlete but as a student as well. MacKay has taught him how to have the right mindset on and off the track.
"He always does the right thing," MacKay said. "He lives the right lifestyle. He is very frugal with his efforts and where he spends his time. He is a student of this sport. I tell all of the javelin throwers to continue to educate themselves about their own bodies and their event. He knows how to do this and to improve on his deficiencies."
Biddle spoke about how needs someone to guide him and push him so he can compete to the best of his ability. Having constant communication with MacKay, Biddle always know how to prepare for practice and meets.
"We talk about my schedule and what we want to accomplish this season," Biddle said. "He pushes me and believes in me. If I need to talk to him about something, whether it is about life or track-related, (MacKay) helps relieve a lot of my stress."
Starting his third season in a Nittany Lion uniform, Biddle is ready to show his teammates and coaches how his hard work has paid off. Last year, he was 15th in the javelin throw at the NCAA Championships with his distance of 218-3 (66.52m), a performance he is looking to top this spring.
Biddle and MacKay have strategically planned his training schedule this season with hopes of getting a personal record at the important meet.
"The season started a little bit slower this year but me and MacKay met up in the fall and decided we wanted to peak later in the season. We have been building up and I am starting now to get into prime shape," Biddle said.
Regardless of performance, MacKay emphasizes staying focused and committed throughout the season.
"For a guy his size, I would think he is one of the top three strongest and most athletic athletes in this school. That is most common in javelin throwers. So, I am hoping he can get some big results in those big meets," MacKay said.
As this coach-athlete relationship continues to grow in his final year, Biddle is grateful for the beneficial guidance provided by MacKay.
"An athlete and coach relationship has to do a lot with trust," Biddle said. "If you trust them in practice and in your own programming, when you show up to a meet, you're already confident that you will do well."
