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Cross Country Coach
Bob Smalley
Head Coach
20th Year
[Email
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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