Craig McPhail is the head cross-country and track and field coach at Lees-McRae College, located in Banner Elk, NC. While attending Chesterfield McPhail captured state titles his junior and senior year in the mile and two-mile.
scrunners: Upon becoming cross-country and track and field coach at Lees-McRae in August 2001 what where you thinking as you acquired this position?
mcphail: I got the cross country job in 1998 and it was a combined position with Sports Information, so I was excited about finding a job with two of my passions, running and writing. In 2001, we added track and it gave me a much greater role in the development of student-athletes. Track is such an interesting sport, you have so many different types of people participating in the events and it brings out such a closeness of the team I believe.
scrunners: How did you find out about the opening as head coach?
mcphail: The whole process was interesting, I actually found out about the job through a classified ad in The Charlotte Observer. On the back page, almost hidden there was exactly what I wanted to do. I interviewed and fell in love with the school and area.
scrunners: Prior to becoming the coach at Lees-McRae what were your career interests?
mcphail: I was doing a bunch of different things, but all revolving around sports. I was working at a golf course and writing for The Charlotte Observer at the time and all of this was after I had finished a master's degree and spent a year with the Orlando Magic basketball team in their public relations office.
scrunners: What or whom made you decide to want to coach?
mcphail: My high school coach Jack Van Deman (Chesterfield, SC) was someone I admired and enjoyed when I was in high school and the opportunity to have that similar role and see what I could do was something I could not miss out on. The challenges of trying to get student-athletes peaking at the right time and performing at their very best is a fun part of the job.
scrunners: When challenges arise as a coach and how do you handle these situations?
mcphail: The best thing is to evaluate the situation, so many times, we can react irrationally and not hear both sides of the story or we tend to not get all of the information. It is invaluable to listen first and then make good decisions.
scrunners: Where and what level did you start to coach first?
mcphail: I have been fortunate, this is my first job and it was a head coaching job at the NCAA Division II level.
scrunners: As the Bobcats have won six of the seven Carolinas-Virginia Conference women\'s championships and four men\'s titles since your start as head coach, was this for both cross-country and track and field?
mcphail: The Carolinas-Virigina Athletic Conference sponsors cross country, but we don't have enough schools yet to sponsor a conference championship in track, so those titles have been from cross country.
scrunners: How close were the scores in winning the titles?
mcphail: This past year we faced our closest margin, 11 points on the women's side and 5 points on the men's side. The women have had a lot of success over the years in the conference, while the men have faced a lot of tough, talented teams.
scrunners: Does being defending champions add any expectations to the upcoming seasons?
mcphail: It is a pride factor and somewhat of a tradition we would like to add upon, so yes, there are always the goals of winning conference each year. It takes a lot of things going the right way for it to happen though.
scrunners: What kind of team goals does Lees-McRae have in mind for the upcoming year?
mcphail: We are looking to get better regionally, we are a young team and another year of growth and development, will put us where we want to be. I am also looking to add some quality freshmen and excited about the impact they will have on our team.
scrunners: With your certification as an USATF Level II certified coach in endurance and Level I in all events areas how does that help you in all areas of the sports?
mcphail: It helps me identify with each athlete and be a support person for them. I also can give some quality input on their training without trying to dictate it.
scrunners: Along with your responsibilities as a coach your biography mentions that you are the assistant athletics director and oversee the sports information department, marketing and along with mentoring new coaches at Lees-McRae. How do you balance these responsibilities?
mcphail: It is difficult and I have learned a great deal on how to manage my time. I try to break the day into several different categories, Asst. AD duties, recruiting, paperwork, practice and recruiting, by doing this I am able to handle all the different duties I have and it makes the job enjoyable, yet challenging.
scrunners: As a member of the 2004 NCAA Division II Cross-Country/Track and Field Championships Committee, what did this position involve?
mcphail: I am part of the committee who helps define the sport at the DII level. I am at the three championships, cross country, indoor and outdoor track and I represent those schools from the Southeast Region in a national capacity. We go over rules, standards, event management, etc. concerning the development of those meets.
scrunners: With several of your athletes competing at the national level, what kind of exposure has that brought to Lees-McRae and your programs?
mcphail: More and more people are becoming familiar with our small school in the mountains because of the guys who have made it to the national championships. With this, student athletes are interested in what we have and our facilities have been a large part of our success. The lighted track and field complex, along with the trails of the Blue Ridge Mountains has been huge assets to our success.
scrunners: With recruiting a large part of your position what do you normally discuss and ask athletes when you are on recruiting trips or talk via other means?
mcphail: The opportunities to continue their running/track career in college at a place where you don't have many distractions and are able to focus on academics and athletics.
scrunners: What athletes are you looking into recruiting from South Carolina?
mcphail: A few distance runners, several track athletes in a lot of different events.
scrunners: When did you run at Chesterfield High School?
1985-88.
As a four-time state champion at Chesterfield, what events did you receive the titles in?
mcphail: Mile and 2-mile my junior and senior year. I went from 71st – 10th – 3rd to 2nd in my four years of cross country.
scrunners: Did you have any high school rivals while at Chesterfield? When did these rivals become the most intense?
mcphail: Lugoff Elgin had a really good program when I was in high school and my sophomore year I had a great summer of training and I surprised them and won a race, from then on it was very intense between the two schools.
scrunners: Have you seen any changes in the sport of high school cross-country and track and field since you graduated from Chesterfield?
mcphail: There is much more information being distributed, thanks to the web and other publications. There are also a lot of big races every weekend for runners to compete in big fields.
scrunners: From moving on from Chesterfield to Winthrop where, according to your biography, you finished in the top 20 in the Big South Conference all four years at Winthrop how did you training change from high school to college?
mcphail: The biggest thing was the increase in mileage. You go from racing a 5k to an 8k and then 10k at regionals, so it meant a lot more 10-mile runs. The intensity is also increased, because you go from being a good runner in your state to a conference with runners from 5-8 states and international athletes, so it is a learning experience at first.
scrunners: What did you major in at Winthrop?
mcphail: Mass Communication- Journalism.
scrunners: As a former athlete, what do you recommend to athletes in order to stay motivated in the sports and make it a life-long activity?
mcphail: Enjoy the sport and the freedom it gives you. I still train today and I use it to organize my life, remove clutter and spend the time taking care of my body. The motivation is going to come from within, you must want to do it!
scrunners: Prior to joining the staff at Lees-McRae what kind of sports writing did you encounter for the Charlotte Observer?
mcphail: I covered a lot of high school sports, from wrestling to basketball and everything in between.
scrunners: With the sports of cross-country and track and field becoming more popular how would you like to be involved with making the sport the best it can be?
mcphail: By promoting it, hosting races and letting people have the chance to compete.
scrunners: Do you still run today? If so, are there any upcoming races you will be attending?
mcphail: I am still running today and I have not planned any upcoming races, a lot is because of our track schedule keeping me on the road.
scrunners: What kind of training do you give the Lees-McRae athletes to do over the summer and also throughout the year?
mcphail: The training is very individualized and suited for the athletes talents. Our summer is a lot of base building with long runs and tempo runs, we use the school year to add the speed component. We are a low mileage, high quality training program, with a lot of cross training.
scrunners: What kind of focus to you put on strength training, cross-training and stretching towards your athletes?
mcphail: I put a lot on, especially the core. The arms and lower back are other areas we use.
scrunners: Where do most of the athletes in Banner-Elk, NC prefer to run?
mcphail: Out on the trails, we have a vast array of Christmas tree trails, dirt roads and blue ridge parkway runs we do to mix things up.
scrunners: Will Lees-McRae attending any track and field meets in South Carolina during the 2005 track and field season?
mcphail: We will be at Clemson for an indoor and outdoor meet.
scrunners: Does Lees-McRae have any conference or in-state rivals? How did these rivals develop?
mcphail: There are always teams we are trying to beat or get to their level, so there are several in conference and in-state rivals, but those are friendly, competition based rivalry's.
scrunners: Have you met any professional runners? If so, what did you discuss with these athletes?
mcphail: I have had the chance to meet several. With the group of elite athletes at ZapFitness in Blowing Rock, NC, we have shared our track with them and it is fun to pick their brain about training workouts, lifestyles and interests. It is also nice to watch a group run a 2:59 1200 meter time-trial!
scrunners: With yourself and several other colleges coaches at the Footlocker South meet in Charlotte in 2004, was it difficult to find the athletes you wanted to speak with?
mcphail: No, I had been talking with a lot of student-athletes in the recruiting process, so I knew where they were going to be and was looking forward to meeting them. It is a great opportunity to meet a lot of runners and coaches.
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Full Name: Craig McPhail Personal Bests: 15:42 5k 1988 Fort Jackson SC State Meet; High School: Chesterfield College: Winthrop University – B.S. Mass Communication/ Georgia Southern University – M.S. Sports Management Career: Head Cross Country/Track Coach and Assistant Athletic Director Lees-McRae College Hobbies: cycling and golf |
scrunners: Upon becoming cross-country and track and field coach at Lees-McRae in August 2001 what where you thinking as you acquired this position?
mcphail: I got the cross country job in 1998 and it was a combined position with Sports Information, so I was excited about finding a job with two of my passions, running and writing. In 2001, we added track and it gave me a much greater role in the development of student-athletes. Track is such an interesting sport, you have so many different types of people participating in the events and it brings out such a closeness of the team I believe.
scrunners: How did you find out about the opening as head coach?
mcphail: The whole process was interesting, I actually found out about the job through a classified ad in The Charlotte Observer. On the back page, almost hidden there was exactly what I wanted to do. I interviewed and fell in love with the school and area.
scrunners: Prior to becoming the coach at Lees-McRae what were your career interests?
mcphail: I was doing a bunch of different things, but all revolving around sports. I was working at a golf course and writing for The Charlotte Observer at the time and all of this was after I had finished a master's degree and spent a year with the Orlando Magic basketball team in their public relations office.
scrunners: What or whom made you decide to want to coach?
mcphail: My high school coach Jack Van Deman (Chesterfield, SC) was someone I admired and enjoyed when I was in high school and the opportunity to have that similar role and see what I could do was something I could not miss out on. The challenges of trying to get student-athletes peaking at the right time and performing at their very best is a fun part of the job.
scrunners: When challenges arise as a coach and how do you handle these situations?
mcphail: The best thing is to evaluate the situation, so many times, we can react irrationally and not hear both sides of the story or we tend to not get all of the information. It is invaluable to listen first and then make good decisions.
scrunners: Where and what level did you start to coach first?
mcphail: I have been fortunate, this is my first job and it was a head coaching job at the NCAA Division II level.
scrunners: As the Bobcats have won six of the seven Carolinas-Virginia Conference women\'s championships and four men\'s titles since your start as head coach, was this for both cross-country and track and field?
mcphail: The Carolinas-Virigina Athletic Conference sponsors cross country, but we don't have enough schools yet to sponsor a conference championship in track, so those titles have been from cross country.
scrunners: How close were the scores in winning the titles?
mcphail: This past year we faced our closest margin, 11 points on the women's side and 5 points on the men's side. The women have had a lot of success over the years in the conference, while the men have faced a lot of tough, talented teams.
scrunners: Does being defending champions add any expectations to the upcoming seasons?
mcphail: It is a pride factor and somewhat of a tradition we would like to add upon, so yes, there are always the goals of winning conference each year. It takes a lot of things going the right way for it to happen though.
scrunners: What kind of team goals does Lees-McRae have in mind for the upcoming year?
mcphail: We are looking to get better regionally, we are a young team and another year of growth and development, will put us where we want to be. I am also looking to add some quality freshmen and excited about the impact they will have on our team.
scrunners: With your certification as an USATF Level II certified coach in endurance and Level I in all events areas how does that help you in all areas of the sports?
mcphail: It helps me identify with each athlete and be a support person for them. I also can give some quality input on their training without trying to dictate it.
scrunners: Along with your responsibilities as a coach your biography mentions that you are the assistant athletics director and oversee the sports information department, marketing and along with mentoring new coaches at Lees-McRae. How do you balance these responsibilities?
mcphail: It is difficult and I have learned a great deal on how to manage my time. I try to break the day into several different categories, Asst. AD duties, recruiting, paperwork, practice and recruiting, by doing this I am able to handle all the different duties I have and it makes the job enjoyable, yet challenging.
scrunners: As a member of the 2004 NCAA Division II Cross-Country/Track and Field Championships Committee, what did this position involve?
mcphail: I am part of the committee who helps define the sport at the DII level. I am at the three championships, cross country, indoor and outdoor track and I represent those schools from the Southeast Region in a national capacity. We go over rules, standards, event management, etc. concerning the development of those meets.
scrunners: With several of your athletes competing at the national level, what kind of exposure has that brought to Lees-McRae and your programs?
mcphail: More and more people are becoming familiar with our small school in the mountains because of the guys who have made it to the national championships. With this, student athletes are interested in what we have and our facilities have been a large part of our success. The lighted track and field complex, along with the trails of the Blue Ridge Mountains has been huge assets to our success.
scrunners: With recruiting a large part of your position what do you normally discuss and ask athletes when you are on recruiting trips or talk via other means?
mcphail: The opportunities to continue their running/track career in college at a place where you don't have many distractions and are able to focus on academics and athletics.
scrunners: What athletes are you looking into recruiting from South Carolina?
mcphail: A few distance runners, several track athletes in a lot of different events.
scrunners: When did you run at Chesterfield High School?
1985-88.
As a four-time state champion at Chesterfield, what events did you receive the titles in?
mcphail: Mile and 2-mile my junior and senior year. I went from 71st – 10th – 3rd to 2nd in my four years of cross country.
scrunners: Did you have any high school rivals while at Chesterfield? When did these rivals become the most intense?
mcphail: Lugoff Elgin had a really good program when I was in high school and my sophomore year I had a great summer of training and I surprised them and won a race, from then on it was very intense between the two schools.
scrunners: Have you seen any changes in the sport of high school cross-country and track and field since you graduated from Chesterfield?
mcphail: There is much more information being distributed, thanks to the web and other publications. There are also a lot of big races every weekend for runners to compete in big fields.
scrunners: From moving on from Chesterfield to Winthrop where, according to your biography, you finished in the top 20 in the Big South Conference all four years at Winthrop how did you training change from high school to college?
mcphail: The biggest thing was the increase in mileage. You go from racing a 5k to an 8k and then 10k at regionals, so it meant a lot more 10-mile runs. The intensity is also increased, because you go from being a good runner in your state to a conference with runners from 5-8 states and international athletes, so it is a learning experience at first.
scrunners: What did you major in at Winthrop?
mcphail: Mass Communication- Journalism.
scrunners: As a former athlete, what do you recommend to athletes in order to stay motivated in the sports and make it a life-long activity?
mcphail: Enjoy the sport and the freedom it gives you. I still train today and I use it to organize my life, remove clutter and spend the time taking care of my body. The motivation is going to come from within, you must want to do it!
scrunners: Prior to joining the staff at Lees-McRae what kind of sports writing did you encounter for the Charlotte Observer?
mcphail: I covered a lot of high school sports, from wrestling to basketball and everything in between.
scrunners: With the sports of cross-country and track and field becoming more popular how would you like to be involved with making the sport the best it can be?
mcphail: By promoting it, hosting races and letting people have the chance to compete.
scrunners: Do you still run today? If so, are there any upcoming races you will be attending?
mcphail: I am still running today and I have not planned any upcoming races, a lot is because of our track schedule keeping me on the road.
scrunners: What kind of training do you give the Lees-McRae athletes to do over the summer and also throughout the year?
mcphail: The training is very individualized and suited for the athletes talents. Our summer is a lot of base building with long runs and tempo runs, we use the school year to add the speed component. We are a low mileage, high quality training program, with a lot of cross training.
scrunners: What kind of focus to you put on strength training, cross-training and stretching towards your athletes?
mcphail: I put a lot on, especially the core. The arms and lower back are other areas we use.
scrunners: Where do most of the athletes in Banner-Elk, NC prefer to run?
mcphail: Out on the trails, we have a vast array of Christmas tree trails, dirt roads and blue ridge parkway runs we do to mix things up.
scrunners: Will Lees-McRae attending any track and field meets in South Carolina during the 2005 track and field season?
mcphail: We will be at Clemson for an indoor and outdoor meet.
scrunners: Does Lees-McRae have any conference or in-state rivals? How did these rivals develop?
mcphail: There are always teams we are trying to beat or get to their level, so there are several in conference and in-state rivals, but those are friendly, competition based rivalry's.
scrunners: Have you met any professional runners? If so, what did you discuss with these athletes?
mcphail: I have had the chance to meet several. With the group of elite athletes at ZapFitness in Blowing Rock, NC, we have shared our track with them and it is fun to pick their brain about training workouts, lifestyles and interests. It is also nice to watch a group run a 2:59 1200 meter time-trial!
scrunners: With yourself and several other colleges coaches at the Footlocker South meet in Charlotte in 2004, was it difficult to find the athletes you wanted to speak with?
mcphail: No, I had been talking with a lot of student-athletes in the recruiting process, so I knew where they were going to be and was looking forward to meeting them. It is a great opportunity to meet a lot of runners and coaches.