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Newburgh Free Academy assistant coach Malcolm Burks has helped produce some of the premier sprint relay teams perennially. From Elize Coleman to Akino Boone to now Randy Patterson Newburgh has consistently been home to some to the top long sprinters in the state. At the Marine Corps Classic in December Newburgh set the top times in the country this season in both the 4x200 and 4x400.
ArmoryTrack.com had a chance to catch up with Burks for this edition of the Coaches’ Corner.
AT: Briefly describe your coaching philosophy.
MB: Academics are a must. All athletes are required to carry over an 80% GPA. Over half of the team made the honor role last marking period. Representation, be a credit to your parents, your school, your community and the track team. As a coach, I treat all of my athletes fairly and equally according to their needs. Why give an athlete water when his needs are food? Why give an athlete food when he needs clothing? All needs are different and you must take the time and energy as a coach to find out what they are. I not only know (physically) where all my athletes live but, I also can tell you their shoe sizes. For my athletes college is a reality, 98% of my athletes that have run at least two years or more for me have moved on to the college ranks. We train to win in life.
AT: What’s one of your staple workouts and why do you do it?
MB: Event runs are a must for us. You must train the body in the same physical conditions that it will compete in. We train similar to the way that the Kenyans train. You are as strong as the weakest athlete. Race pace and intervals are a key for us.
AT: How do you handle training during the winter season, especially during inclement weather?
MB: It took me many years to adapt my workouts to the east coast weather. Many times I may begin the month with three or four different workout routines all depending upon the weather conditions. We do not have an indoor facility to work out in and due to stress on the feet, ankles, and joints, we do not run in the hallways therefore: we are on the track even in the snow. These are our most fun workouts; the inferences are not on time, but on having fun while building team unity, and completing the workout safely. I even once shoveled the entire track so that my athletes could practice on it. It took me five and a half hours. My athletes were surprised that I did the shoveling. We went on to win Indoor Nationals in both the 4x400m and 4x200m relay that year. Proper warming up, cool down, dressing in layers, wearing a hat, and gloves is a must!!!
AT: What would you say is your biggest challenge as a head coach?
MB: I have learned from some of the best coaches and programs around: Transit Tech, New Rochelle, Warwick Valley, Boys & Girls, Camden N.J., Poly and Skyline out of CA, South Carolina State, Baylor Univ., Florida State, as well as while competing as an athlete in Germany and Korea. As a coach, I believe that you are never too old to learn and to always keep an open mind. Our athletes are committed to the program and what it stands for. My biggest challenge of late is adapting to the single parent, younger parent, or no parent at home situation and due to the economy, the situation where both parents are working. Helping parents to become more computer friendly while assisting them in gathering and understand SAT and ACT testing, college prep classes, financial Aid and college scholarship information is a must for them. To assist the parents, I normally narrow my athletes’ college choices down to five colleges for them. I suggest that they take a notebook with them during their visits and write down both the good and bad things. Always visit when college classes are in and talk to all the students that they meet, not just the athletes and coaches, and ensure that you visit the dorms. My requirement from my athletes to me is: a copy of their college diploma when they graduate. I have had many first generation college athletes.
AT: It seems every year Newburgh Free Academy fields top-notch quality relays. Just two weeks ago at the Marine Corps Classic, your team ran US #1’s in the 4x200 and 4x400. Describe the relay running culture at NFA. How do you keep the depth and consistency year after year?
MB: The times that we ran last week at the Marine Corps Classic was a proving point for my athletes, they saw the results of the hard work and dedication that they had put into their workouts pay off. As far as our relay tradition goes, I have been blessed with athletes that believe in the team concept. The running culture at NFA is a matter of pride for my athletes,
I have athletes who seldom miss a workout. If they do, they will call me and complete it on their own. To show you the level of competitiveness among my athletes, sometimes our workouts may turn into a track meet and I have to slow them down a little and get them back on pace. I have athletes who as individuals could be a star on any team. However, they have chosen to give of their self unselfishly. Our depth and consistency comes through the responsibility that my new athletes take upon their selves in maintaining the tradition that those athletes before them have set. They understand that wearing an “N” on one’s chest carries a lot of weight.
AT: Tell us about your team. What are some of the expectations for this season?
MB: We are a young team and they are learning more with each race.
At this point in time, we are one month ahead of schedule in the goals of the times that I have planned for them run so far. My athletes are focusing on their second quarter grades and the seniors are busy applying to colleges. As a team in whole we are reloading and preparing for the second part of the indoor season, as well as the championship races.
My expectations for this season are to keep my athletes healthy and to continue representing Section 9 and New York where ever and whenever we compete.
AT: After the 4x200 at Marine Corps, there looks like a rivalry coach be brewing between your team and Sheepshead bay in the state. How much faster do you think your squad can run this season?
MB: Coach Padula is a good coach and person, he and I have raced against each other many times. He has done a great job with Sheepshead Bay. They are returning all four runners from their Outdoor National 4x100m relay, therefore, we expect them to be running some great times. As far as a rivalry brewing, my athletes understand that they are running against the clock and that anyone or team can beat on any day, the deciding fact will come down to who works the hardest and make the less mistakes. As far how fast we will run this season, it will be very interesting in the end. As a coach, I have learned no matter how fast your team runs, people will always want you to run faster therefore, I do put stress on my runners to run faster. However, I do put emphasis on going back to practice and fixing mistakes. A coaching friend of mine once told me “When the music plays, it’s time to dance the dance.”
- Christopher Hunt