Theresa Fuqua left a coaching position at her alma mater three years ago for the challenge of resurrecting the University’s track and field and cross-country program.
Fuqua, the men’s and women’s track and field and cross country head coach, found her passion for track and field as an athlete in high school and college.
She set several school and national records during her track career and was a four-time All-American runner and an MVP in cross country and track.
“I truly loved competing in collegiate track and field,” she said. “I feel that my collegiate years were the height of my running career.”
Fuqua, who ran cross country, 800-meter, 1,000-meter, 1,500-meter and 1-mile races, set an Ohio state record in the 800-meter in high school and finished fifth in the NCAA Championship in 1988 while at the University of Houston. She also qualified for the Olympic trials in 1987 for the 1,500-meter.
Glen McMicken, assistant track and field coach, has known Fuqua for more than 15 years. Their schools competed against each other for years, allowing McMicken and Fuqua to get to know each other through coaching.
“She is the best boss I have ever had,” McMicken said. “She lets us do what we need to and is very supportive without micromanaging us.”
Senior Raquel Tidwell said Fuqua, known as Coach T to the runners, is a great coach who takes a personal interest in her athletes as people.
“She holds everyone to a higher standard,” Tidwell said. “She has good morals and strong beliefs. Her faith is evident in how she acts and respects everyone.”
She added that she can go to Fuqua with anything about her life. Fuqua asks about her family, school or just about her day, Tidwell said.
Senior Daniel Martinez said Fuqua is a friend and mentor, who is able to separate her professional and social life.
“I can really go to her with anything about my life,” Martinez said. “I can truly trust her.”
Fuqua said she tries to be easy to understand and open as a coach to all her athletes.
Senior Jonathan LeJeune said Fuqua always gives him positive feedback, even when he does not run well.
“She is always excited for us when we do well, and she never puts us down when we don’t,” LeJeune said. “She builds me up, and I wouldn’t run for anyone else.”
Fuqua said her experience as an athlete and a coach allowed her to build relationships with her athletes.
Building the track and field and cross-country program in 2007 was a challenge, Fuqua said.
“It has been an evolutionary process,” she said. “We have to set certain goals and requirements. The level of competition is elite, especially for a new program.”
Fuqua said she wants to push her athletes to achieve their personal best as well as to perform at the highest level of competition.
“I hope she continues to enhance the program, focusing on the team as a whole,” McMicken said.
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