Track & Field Coaches
Bob Smalley
Head Coach
21st Year
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Coach Smalley]
A graduate of Houghton College, Bob Smalley returned in 1988 to coach the men’s
and women’s cross country teams. Six years later he picked up Houghton’s
track and field team.
Coach Smalley believes in "developing the person holistically and
allowing them to get pleasure out of running, but realizing the benefits of hard
work." That hard work has translated into success. His teams have become
one of the top NAIA programs in the Northeast, garnering numerous conference and
region titles and earning several appearances at national championship meets.
His women's cross country team has finished in the top 25 five times, with the
men’s team earning the honor twice.
In the last six years, four of Smalley's runners have earned NAIA
All-America honors. These are the first All-American runners in Houghton’s
history.
Smalley, too, has been recognized for his hard work, earning a number of
conference and regional coach of the year awards for both his men's and women's
team.
Smalley expects his athletes to "study hard, work hard and keep a
balance between athletics and the rest of life." It is easy to see this
work ethic in his cross country teams. Several of his runners have been named
NAIA All-America Scholar Athletes and a number of his teams have earned Academic
Team awards by maintaining GPAs of at least 3.0.
His keys to success are to "make sure this is the Lord’s program…
not Houghton’s or mine. The Lord has provided the people here and will work
though them." Another key to his teams' successes is the close bond among
the athletes. Smalley feels that "friendship and fellowship are key to
developing a strong team."
His team verse in 2000 summed up the goal set forth for Smalley’s teams.
" Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,
let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles,
and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes
on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him
endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the
throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that
you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:1-3
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