UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- This summer two of our very own Penn State cross country and track and field coaches became parents. Assistant coach Angela Reckart welcomed a beautiful baby girl and assistant coach Lucais MacKay had an adorable son.
Both of these coaches have been with Penn State for multiple years nurturing and mentoring student-athletes. Their experiences with the ups and downs of training and academics have helped them grow both professionally and personally, and that is growth they can now bring into parenthood.
"I am passionate about all the athletes I work with. I think a coach can have a really strong impact on the athletes they choose to work with. A lot of the time we as coaches are teaching the athletes but in return I am always learning," Reckart said.
MacKay also emphasized that he is always improving his coaching skills and now that he is a new parent, he is ready to learn what it takes to be a terrific father.
"I think we all learn as coaches to be an educator and within this role we try to be mentors, role models and father figures," he said.
While the coaches have adjusted, their student-athletes have loved seeing the new side of MaCay and Reckart.
Reckart spoke about how her athletes have been waiting for her to have a baby and began to call her "Mama Rec" to show their excitement. Both coaches emphasized the close relationship they have with their athletes and the care and respect that they give to each other.
The male throwers last season were so caring and understanding when MacKay had to miss the NCAA championships to be with his new son, calling their coach on the ride home so that they could meet the new addition.
These coaches have given so much to this program and now they are starting to adjust their lives to accommodate both coaching and parenting.
"We preach to them all the time about having balance in their lives but for them to see us as coaches and as parents having to maintain that balance of wanting our athletes to well at each meet but also keeping our families together, that is really the challenge," Reckart said.
With such strict schedules, Mackay feels that his athletes have been more on top of their workouts and getting in on time. He spoke about how they are always ready when he gets to the track because they know he is on a tight schedule.
"I feel like my athletes are becoming more organized and are working with the timeslots that they have which helps make our practices more efficient," he said.
Reckart and MacKay are changing their lifestyles and their availability to the athletes, and those busy schedules make them appreciate the time at home even more.
"When we have off weekends, or non-team function weekends, it is so important for me to utilize time with my family," MacKay said.
While the two coaches have added to their families at home, they still treat the Blue and White Penn State squad as their family as well.
"Whether my daughter is at school or at day care, I want her to be in good hands and with people that genuinely care about her well-being, "Reckart said. "So, I take my job very seriously because many of these athletes are coming away from home for four to five years and I'm here to be their support system."
MacKay added that he considers the athletes a part of his family and is always willing to have a fatherly conversation or a good laugh to relax and unwind.
"My wife is involved in the program and we try to incorporate that family lifestyle with these athletes. We have events at our home such as our Thanksgiving meal. We try to bring our dog around to hang out with the athletes," he said.
These two new additions have changed the coaches' lives both at home and at work, and while it's new, the team is loving its newest big fans.
"With coach Reckart's daughter and my son, we feel like we have the cutest team mascots," MacKay said.
