By Julie Kayzerman '16

When Mike Walker's ninth-grade algebra teacher and track coach suggested that he start running indoor track, Walker figured it would be a good way to stay in shape for spring baseball.

But he never went back to the school's baseball team.

"After a year, I was hooked," Walker said. "I've been running ever since."

Walker took his talents to run for The College of New Jersey and became captain of the Lions' track and field team during his senior year in 2000.

Sixteen years later, the three-time national qualifier is back at his alma mater as the new full-time assistant cross country and track and field coach. Walker is working in what he describes as his "dream job". He's been focusing specifically on training the cross country and long-distance runners since beginning part-time in September and transferring to full-time in November. That strikes a perfect balance with Head Coach Justin Lindsey, who can focus more on the sprinters and jumpers.

"I've always felt connected to the program and the opportunity came up where the position was open and it was kind of like, alright it's now or never," Walker said, explaining that his dream has always been to coach at TCNJ. "It is something that's always been in the back of my mind, but only to coach here at TCNJ."

Walker excelled as a Lion, winning three individual New Jersey Athletic titles as a cross country champion and outdoor track in the 5,000-meter event. He went on to have an extremely successful career as a math teacher and track coach at Robbinsville high school. Walker led the Raven girl's and boy's cross country and track programs to state championship titles.

"I had great experiences with the coaches between high school and college, so I wanted to give back the same way," he said.

But it wasn't the appeal of familiar grounds that brought him back to TCNJ. It was the family atmosphere of the program he was part of that is still alive and thriving today.

"It's obviously different people, different names, but the team and the traditions and the different things that we used to do as a group… it's good to see that it's still the same," Walker said, noting the cheers and the names of different workout loops have remained intact. "It's the same family atmosphere that I had when I was here, so it's cool to see, even though they're an entirely different generation of runners. I can relate to them in that way and share the experience."

Senior runner Tyler Grimm has been happy so far with Walker's ability to push the team to its true potential.

"What stood out to me most about having him selected for the coaching position was that he was a TCNJ alumnus," Grimm said. "It made the current athletes feel assured he would be heavily invested in the program's success because he cares a great deal. He's a part of its history."

While Grimm noted that Walker's workouts have by no means been easy, they've been essential to the team's improvement throughout the season.

"So far, coach Walker has served as a great motivator and has been a positive influence for us," Grimm said. "I think the most important thing that I've personally gained from coach Walker is his belief in us to succeed. I think it's especially important to have a coach who believes you are capable of achieving your goals and more."

Still getting settled in his new surroundings, Walker continues to become familiar with each of the male and female student-athletes in the program to determine how to bring the best out of them. That is the short-term objective. The long-term goal, however, is continued success and to build relationships that last a lifetime.

"(I hope that) when they graduate they feel connected to the program the same way I did," he said. "I want them to be able to feel like they can come back, and I want them to feel like they're always part of the team even though they may have graduated years ago."