Beyond the Finish Line: Coach Mike Collins on Building Champions at LC State
🏃♂️ Step onto the cross-country course with Coach Mike Collins, a pioneer in NAIA athletics and the heart behind Lewis-Clark State College’s running program. With over 26 years of coaching experience, Coach Collins has built a powerhouse program, producing 11 NAIA National Champions, 142 All-Americans, and countless unforgettable stories.🌟
In this episode:
Episode Highlights
In this episode:
- How LC State creates a culture of excellence and teamwork
- The unique challenges and rewards of NAIA athletics
- Insights into training strategies like double-threshold workouts
- Why community service is a cornerstone of his program
- Coach Collins' journey from athlete to leader, and even his time as mayor
Episode Highlights
- [0:00] Intro: Coach Mike Collins' legendary career
- [2:00] The mild winters and running-friendly environment in Idaho
- [7:18] Why community service is integral to LC State’s team culture
- [15:00] Coaching during COVID: Lessons in patience and resilience
- [25:36] The science of double-threshold training and "stacking"
- [33:20] How LC State develops world-class athletes at a small college
- [40:03] Academics at LC State: Nursing, business, and technical programs
- [50:55] The 2024 cross-country season preview: Key athletes and rivalries
- [1:06:18] Final reflections and advice for future student-athletes
- "There’s more to life than running, but the team and community make it worth it."
- "The watch doesn’t lie—great athletes can come from anywhere."
- Instagram: @lcwarriors
- Learn more: LC State Athletics
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