Track & Field and Cross Country News spring / 2016 NOTE FROM THE ASSOCIATION Men, Women and Friends of Yale Track and Field and Cross Country: I recently celebrated my 70th birthday. That being the case, I have spent exactly one half of my life directly involved with the Yale Track and Field and Cross Country programs as an athlete or coach. In one of those roles or the other (and in a few cases both), I know or have met most of you except some of those who graduated prior to 1964. Those of you who know me are aware that I am a competitive sort. It was in that competitive frame of mind that I asked to write this edition of the annual appeal letter on behalf of the Yale Track Association. At the most recent meeting of the Association’s Board of Directors in April, we learned that the percentage of those of us who are considered to be members of the Association (because of past participation or contribution) who made financial contributions in the most recent fiscal year was quite low, especially as compared to other Yale athletic associations. This has been a recent trend. I know that we can do better. We are all aware that our alma mater constantly requests contributions for myriad good reasons; AYA, alumni fund, class gift fund, residential college fund, etc, etc. Often, if not always, those appeals suggest a threshold gift amount which may, in fact, dissuade one from giving to that particular cause as that amount may not be practicable for that person in that year. For THIS particular appeal, the goal is increased participation. Most, if not all, of us had very positive experiences with the Track and Field
and Cross Country programs; friendships formed, life lessons learned, successes, team bonding, and so forth. Each of us has as at least one great story (and often many) about the importance of that experience in their life at Yale and beyond. If that is the case for you, please consider making a contribution in some amount this spring. Many of you have been generous over the years. For that generosity, I, and Coach Shoehalter, are very appreciative. Much of what the program does to carry out its mission – pre-season practice for cross-country, the spring trip, the Oxford-Cambridge series, bringing recruits to campus for official visits, to name several – is primarily, if not entirely, funded by the Track Association. So, to those of you who have given and continue to give, thank you, thank you. For those who haven’t given recently, for whatever reason, please do so now. Instructions on how to make a gift are on the back page of this newsletter. One piece of good news for any of you who are celebrating class reunion years this spring, you can make your reunion gift and designate it to the Track Association and you get double credit. The association gets the money and your class gets the credit. What could be better? Many thanks!! Yours at Yale, Mark T. Young ‘68 Director of Track and Field and Cross Country (Retired)
PICTURED ABOVE LEFT: MEN’S 2015ͳ16 CROSS COUNTRY TEAM; RIGHT: WOMEN’S 2015ͳ16 CROSS COUNTRY TEAM. PICTURED AT TOP LEFT: MEN’S 2015ͳ16 TRACK AND FIELD TEAM; RIGHT: WOMEN’S 2015ͳ16 TRACK AND FIELD TEAM.
TRACK & FIELD / SPRING, 2016
COACH’S CORNER What a year! Our Team has completed final exams and we are on to the ‘post season’ with much to be excited about as we move forward. DAVID SHOEHALTER, MARK T. YOUNG '68 DIRECTOR OF TRACK & FIELD AND CROSS COUNTRY
The outdoor season flew by following our always-productive spring training trip to San Diego, but so many incredible things occurred along the way. Perhaps most importantly our teams continue to progress as evidenced by the Men In Blue’s victory over Harvard in our annual dual meet. It’s the first time we have managed a win over the Crimson in six years, and it was particularly gratifying to send out our senior class with a victory over our arch rivals to the north. We also had some exciting individual efforts, as James Randon ’17 and Frances Schmiede ’17 continued their record-breaking ways with school records in the 1500m. Both athletes are currently in the top 20 in the nation in their events. Just this past weekend at the Outdoor Heptagonal Championship we crowned
two individual champions (Randon in the 1500m and Marc-Andre Alexandre ‘17 in the 400m). To date, we have qualified 10 athletes for the NCAA first round, and with one more weekend of qualifying to come, we have at least four more athletes “on the bubble” of the NCAA lists. It’s an exciting time to be a Bulldog, and we can’t do it without your help and support. As we continue to improve, it is of the utmost importance that we provide our athletes with every opportunity to succeed and reach the very highest levels of their abilities. Your contribution to the Yale Track & Field and Cross Country association ensures that we are able to travel to the best meets, provide the best equipment and create the best environment for success for each and every one of the athletes on our roster. Many of our athletes will be competing at the NCAA Preliminary Championships May 26-28, 2016! I will keep you up to date as we move through the post season. Go Bulldogs! “Shoe” David Shoehalter The Mark T. Young ‘68 Director of Track & Field and Cross Country
NOTES FROM EACH CAPTAIN
Brendan Sullivan ‘16 How would you describe this year’s team in one word? Tenacious--It's just a tough tight-knit group of guys who are very determined to bring success back to our program. What does it mean to you to be a captain at Yale? Being captain has been both a humbling and broadening experience. I feel very grateful to have been given this opportunity, as competing and working with my teammates is undoubtedly what I have been most passionate about as a student at Yale. When reminiscing about my time here, I will always point to being a member of this team as the thing I am most proud of. What are your plans after graduating? I will serve as an incoming analyst at Goldman Sachs in New York, beginning in early July. This Spring the men's team beat Harvard for the first time in five years. Success is finally returning to this historic program. I was not only proud of my teammates, but also excited for Coach Shoe and the rest of the coaching staff who have made considerable sacrifices for myself and fellow teammates, so that we could experience instances like these. Best Coach Shoe moment? I think giving Shoe a congratulatory hug following the meet was a powerful moment for both of us.
TRACK & FIELD / SPRING, 2016
NOTES FROM EACH CAPTAIN Kevin Dooney ‘16 How would you describe this year’s team in one word? Improving What does it mean to you to be a captain at Yale? Being a captain at Yale has been a huge honor for me. Having to opportunity to lead such an extraordinary group of men everyday has inspired me throughout the year. What are your plans after graduating? My plans after graduation are to be in Ireland. I will either be working there or going to grad school. Best Coach Shoe moment? The many times while stretching that we watch the Manchester United games on the iPad together.
Sydney Cureton ‘16 How would you describe this year’s team in one word? Determined What does it mean to you to be a captain at Yale? Being elected captain has been such an honor and I have been really proud to serve my teammates, as track has been the most formative part of my Yale experience. What are your plans after graduating? After graduation I will be moving to New York City and working in investment banking for Morgan Stanley. Best Coach Shoe moment? His fall foliage prediction - he always tries to guess the exact day that the trees on the intramural fields will have the brightest colored leaves before the leaves start falling off. He gets really into his predictions but he's wrong every year.
Shannon McDonnell ‘16 How would you describe this year’s team in one word? Committed What does it mean to you to be a captain at Yale? It means supporting and encouraging every member of the team and helping to foster a feeling of family. What are your plans after graduating? I’ll be going to grad school at University College Dublin in Ireland to study actuarial science. Best Coach Shoe moment? Definitely celebrating with Shoe after the 800 at Indoor Heps. I was very emotional. Shoe hugged me and told me I better get myself together before getting on the podium.
Stepping up Support for Yale Track & Field and Cross Country Goal: Increase AssociaƟon ParƟcipaƟon How to Give: 1. Mail a check to: Yale Track and Field AssociaƟon, PO Box 1844 New Haven, CT 06508. 2. Call 203-432-1434 to pay over the phone with credit card 3. To make your giŌ online: • Visit giving.yale.edu • Select ‘Make a GiŌ Now’ • Select ‘Make a New GiŌ or Pledge by Credit Card’ • Select ‘AthleƟcs’ from the drop down menu • Select ’Yale Track and Field’ from the second drop down menu • Complete the rest of the form
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