John Holland – Class of 1995

First, Coach should be commended for his candid commentary.  If you are, in fact, going to prepare a multi-media presentation, you need to get a copy of the St. Olaf Track t-shirt (if I recall, from roughly 1994).  It lists on the back of the t-shirt all of Coach’s colorful phrases.  It seems to me you should get that and have it framed.  It caused a major stir that year in the Athletics department because Coach’s phraseology predates the era of political correctness.  If you need my t-shirt (and I can find it), I’ll donate it.

Second, Coach should be commended for his open-mindedness.  I, in particular, appreciated his recognition of the fact that Kentucky Fried Chicken, Davannis Pizza, and even truck stop malts & cheese curds could adequately serve the dietary requirements of the young athlete.

Third, Coach should be recognized as always having established clear priorities.  He is likely the only Kansas alumnus who could: (a) claim to have set a world record (in the 4×800), but (b) not be able to direct his St. Olaf student athletes to the location of Kansas University School Library.  (True story of a trip to the Kansas Relays: “Coach, where can I find the library on this campus?”  Response: “I can’t help you with that.”) 

Fourth, I appreciated Coach’s creative teaching style.  I recall that we were attending a meet one year at the University of Minnesota ’s indoor facility.  At the end of the meet, I told Coach that my parents were going to take me home for the weekend so I could spend time with family.  Coach didn’t buy that explanation, noting that, “I didn’t see your parents here today, John.”  That fact notwithstanding, he did not require me to board the team bus for the trip back to St. Olaf.  I expect that Coach knew that I would be walking across University Avenue to frat row to spend the night imbibing.  I did just that.  What I didn’t expect was to wake up disoriented the following morning on the U campus next to a big pile of spent cigarette butts.  It was only sometime thereafter that I realized that Coach had taught me a great lesson: if you abscond from friends & family to spend a night drinking, don’t lay down to sleep next to a big pile of spent cigarette butts.

As for compiling further contact information, you should check to see if the Alumni Department can supply you with email addresses for Track Team members as I note that the online website doesn’t list any email addresses.  If and when there is to be a retirement gathering, we’re counting on you to arrange it and invite us.