Cross Country

State athletes remain runners for life

Cross country alumni have continued involvement in dynasty 

Daniel Ellis

Deputy News Editor

If one were to take a look at the current men and women’s cross country staff, one would notice a consistent trend – they all were graduates of one of the most well-established programs in N.C. State history. 

“It’s very common for cross country runners to continue helping out after they graduate,” redshirt junior John Martinez said. “It’s a great way to continue running while doing graduate school and to continue being involved with the program.”

In fact, many athletes continue to run with the program even if they aren’t helping out as part of the coaching staff by showing their support in large numbers at seasonal meets. The meets have become like a cross-country homecoming in recent years as former runners return to the program.

“Dr. Phil Moses with our academic support program said recently that there are a number of former athletes that show up at competitions like the Wolfpack Invitational,” coach Rollie Geiger said. “He said ‘once the kids are in your program, they’re in there for life.'”

In fact, the only current coach, graduate assistant, or assistant coach that didn’t formerly run for State is the team’s head coach, Rollie Geiger. Geiger successfully built a running dynasty that has won 32 ACC championships. 

“Coach Geiger has been like a father-figure to everyone on this team,” Martinez said. “He makes people feel very comfortable here to where they can go in and talk to [him] about anything. [He] has the time and is willing to help others.”

Geiger believes that there is a certain necessity in continuing to help runners with more than just athletics. One of his time-honored traditions is that his door remains open to anyone, not just cross country runners.

“Once they’re out of school it’s not so much coaching daily, but it’s more of a consoling situation where you are sitting down with the athlete and making plans about where they want to race,” Geiger said. 

“Obviously, we want to help them with their schedule with school and work and such, but I think them being in the area is beneficial for them and for N.C. State… plus I enjoy having them around the program.”

Many of the athletes vary in how they remain involved with the program. Some are looking to tie up some loose ends, while others are just doing they’re part to help out.

“One of the former athletes is very good about e-mailing when everyone’s birthdays are and everything,” Geiger said. “It’s good because I get confused with who was here in ‘80 and ‘81 versus ’90 and ‘91.”

Others, such as volunteer assistant Stephen Furst, periodically show up throughout the week to run with the team and guide some of the younger runners. Furst, a 2007-2008 All-ACC graduate of the program, also helps with recruiting.

“I have had nothing but positive experience from the program,” Furst said. “I’ll be going on a recruiting dinner to talk to some of the parents and recruits soon and they will want to know what kind of runner they need to be to succeed at N.C. State.”

Furst realizes that his experience, coupled with the strong unity among team members, is very beneficial when trying to entice recruits to come to State and Geiger’s focus on creating close ties between the runners and coaches is paramount to the program’s success.

“It’s a family, and those graduates were important to the program when they were here and are certainly important after they leave,” he said.