Thursday, July 13, 2017

Part of a regular series.

Throughout the year, GNACsports.com uses this space to profile conference student-athletes, coaches, and administrators. Collectively, it is these individuals who make the GNAC one of the top NCAA Division II athletic conferences in the nation.

Name: Kevin Adkisson
Sport: Cross Country and Track & Field
School: Central Washington University
Hometown: Bellevue, Wash.

Colleges Attended & Degrees: Willamette University (Undergraduate, English & Exercise Science) and Central Washington University (Graduate, Exercise Science)

Why Did You Become A Coach: I volunteered as a coach while pursuing my master's degree and discovered that helping others to reach their running goals was just as fulfilling as reaching my own.

Who Has Influenced You The Most As A Coach - Either As An Inspiration, A Mentor Or Philosophically: My high school coach. He was a great example of someone who was very sound technically for training purposes, and also knew how to keep it fun.

Biggest Obstacle Overcome As A Coach: Becoming more extroverted.

What Does Division II Mean To You: It is mostly the balance between academics and athletics that allows one to give the right amount of attention to each.

Extracurricular Activities: Running, reading & spending time with family.

Best Advice You Would Give To Student-Athletes: Be willing to put in the quality time needed to set yourself up for success, whether it is in the classroom or in your sport. Excellence is no accident.

If You Could Spend The Day With One Person (Past Or Present), Who Would It Be & Why: My grandfather, as I never knew him.

Favorite Sports Team: Seattle Seahawks

Favorite Athlete: Jim Ryun

Most Memorable Sports-Related Moment: Winning the Northwest Conference championship in the steeplechase as a college senior.