Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Amerlan
Hi Michael, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
I ran track through all my years in school and up through college. I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and was fortunate enough to attend a high school that won 4 state championships in a row in track and field. We had the success we had because my coaches cared about athlete development, and so they made a summer track club. They also cared about using good, science-backed training and programming. They learned how to do this by attending coaching clinics and ultimately moving into administrative roles within those organizations. Because of all this, I was exposed to many people and ideas that led to me becoming a coach once my track career was over. Upon moving to East Tennessee, I noticed there weren’t some things I was familiar with and felt were precious (a track club near me and a coaches association that hosts clinics). Given my experience in these areas and my network, I would be a good person to start these things instead of waiting for someone else to do them. So I did.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Establishing the Tennessee Track And Cross Country Coaches Association and the Blount County Track Club was challenging. While I was fortunate to have incredible mentors, the journey was still filled with challenges. One of the major hurdles was spreading awareness about the coaches association and convincing people of its value. However, I remained steadfast in my belief that coaches’ education is crucial, and this conviction kept me going.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about the Tennessee Track And Cross Country Coaches Association?
The Tennessee Track and Cross Country Coaches Association is dedicated to promoting and advancing the track and cross country sport in Tennessee. We strive to provide high-quality professional development opportunities for coaches, support and advocacy for our member programs, and a platform for networking and collaboration among coaches across the state. Our mission is to cultivate a positive and inclusive culture in the track and cross-country community and to support the growth and development of our coaches and athletes. Through our efforts, we can foster a robust and vibrant track and cross-country community in Tennessee that inspires and empowers athletes and coaches to reach their full potential.
What matters most to you? Why?
The sport of track and field and the development and growth of athletes into quality adults through that sport is what matters most to me, as well as doing things with quality and attention to detail.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tntccca.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tntccca?igsh=ejRlOGUwdGc1OW9o
