Spring Break
Cross-country coach runs with experience
Zaki Syed
Issue date: 10/22/08 Section: Sports
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State Hornet: What made you want to come to Sac State?
Scott Abbott: I was down in southern California and my wife got pregnant. We both wanted to be in northern California to start a family. It's a nice place and I grew up in Sacramento. It was fortunate enough that a job opened up in Sacramento. It was the best scenario possible. I could continue doing what I love and we could live in a place in which we wanted to have a family.
SH: So where did you grow up in Sacramento?
SA: I grew up in the Arden Park area and went to Jesuit High School. My wife grew up in Napa, and went to Sacramento State. She ran track here, so she is an alumna.
SH: Would you say you have an emotional connection to the city of Sacramento and Sac State?
SA: Definitely. I have strong ties to the city and I've always felt this connection to the university. I feel really comfortable here; it is not a place that I am just passing through.
SH: Why is that?
SA: I mean, it's a beautiful city and just a great environment for a distance runner.
SH: What got you in involved in cross-country?
SA: Sports have always been a passion of mine. I also always knew I was a good runner. I first started running when I was in high school. I found out the cross-country team took a trip to Disneyland every year. I thought that was kind of cool, so I joined the cross-country team. It was there that I found out I was really good at running. It fit my personality, as I've always been an independent person. That is what cross-country is. It is a pure sport. Everybody has the same starting line and the fastest person wins. There are no referees, no instant replay and no judging. You are only as good as your ability and work ethic.
SH: What made you want to make the switch from athlete to coach?
SA: I have always been in some type of leadership role, so it wasn't very hard. I ran for four years in high school and was all-American. I got recruited and went to UCLA, and over there I served as team captain. So, like I said, I've always been in a leadership position.
SH: After graduating from UCLA, what did you do?
SA: I was a schoolteacher and coached in Oregon, and then I came down and coached cross-country in Sacramento for Jesuit. There, I met my old high school coach, Walt Lang. He was my mentor and really got me into coaching. After Jesuit, I went to UCLA and coached. While I was coaching, I also got my master's in sports management.
SH: Where did you get your master's degree?
SA: University of San Francisco.
SH: So how did you manage to go there and coach at UCLA at the same time?
SA: The University of San Francisco had a satellite campus at the time. It was pretty close to where I was coaching.
SH: OK, let us talk about your experiences as a teacher. What subjects did you talk about and why?
SA: I taught history and Latin. I have always been a big history guy; it has always interested me. I feel it's a form of time travel. Latin is mixed in with history and ancient (Greece) where they first had the Olympics.
SH: Would you say being a teacher has helped you as a coach?
SA: Most definitely helped me in learning how to relate to young people and a certain age group. I get to know where kids come from on an instructional level. It is important to know how minds work. I have a lot of experiences watching kids learn, which is good, because as a coach you are also an educator.
SH: Are you popular amongst your runners?
SA: I guess you'd have to ask them. I know there is a general respect, but who knows what is said behind closed doors.
SH: Do you think you have the ability to relate to young people?
SA: Yeah, I am naturally drawn towards working with young people. I was a camp counselor all through my life, and I tutored junior high kids. I run a cross-country camp in the summer for high school students.
SH: So how did you meet your wife?
SA: My wife's name is Katie, and we just randomly bumped into each other. We were both runners; she is a schoolteacher as well. Our favorite movie is Dumb and Dumber. Right now she teaches P.E. and leadership class at Sutter Middle School.
SH: Do you have any kids, if so how old are they?
SA: I have a son name Isaac. He will be a year old on Tuesday.
SH: Is your son going to be a runner?
SA: I want him to get involved in sports, but he can play anything he wants to, whether it is running or curling.
SH: How has having a kid affected you as a coach?
SA: It just gives me a better perspective. I remember recruiting a girl very heavily last year, and she called to tell me she was going to USC instead. Normally I would have been very upset, but I was holding my baby at the time. Looking at him I just realized that there are bigger and more important things in life.
SH: What are some of your hobbies? What do you like to do for fun?
SA: (I'm a) big sports fan, (I follow) follow sports very close. Right now I am following the Dodgers. I like to play cards, bowling, basketball, anything - I just like to compete.
SH: Do you still run?
SA: I run a little bit with the team, but my competitive running days are over. Still, it's a good way to stay in shape.
SH: How would you describe your personality as a coach?
SA: Definitely on the laid back side, but I am also somebody who knows when it is the right time to get serious.
SH: What are some of the difficulties you face as a coach?
SA: The lifestyle of coaching is not a profession where you are going to get rich. You do it because you love it. Also, the travels on the weekend and time commitment can be difficult when you have a family.
SH: What inspires or motivates you to continue coaching?
SA: I think any time I see an athlete achieve a personal best. It's just anytime I see someone improve and get better. Also, when I see someone in a suit and tie.
SH: Why is that?
SA: Because I can dress how I want. Right now, I am in my sweats talking to you.
Zaki Syed can be reached at zsyed@statehornet.com
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