One thing that first-year coaches Randy Heisler and Sunder Nix bring to the Ball State University track team is experience. The team is using this experience as it enters its outdoor season, and with both coaches being accomplished athletes, it's Nix who is leading by example, the team said.
The team said its acceptance of Nix has come fast. Many of the runners are impressed with his ability to coach as well as with the experience he brings.
Junior Amber Williams, a sprinter, said she has enjoyed Nix's time with the team.
"You definitely cannot deny him because he has been to the highest level there is," Williams said. "He knows what it takes to be successful and you're always trying to take in all of what he says."
While attending Indiana University from 1982-1986, Nix was a seven-time Big Ten Conference champion. In 1983, Nix won the United States championship in the 400-meters in 45.15 seconds, still one of the fastest 400-meter times in U.S. track and field history.
His largest accomplishment came in 1984 at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, where he was a part of the U.S. 4x400 team that won the gold medal in 2:57.91.
Nix came to Ball State to join Coach Heisler, also a former Olympian whose best discus throw of 221"-10' and shot put of 65"-7' held United States records, to fill the void of assistant coach after former coach Todd Lane resigned.
"When I took the job at Ball State I had one person in mind that I wanted to come along and that was [Nix]," Heisler said. "His record speaks for itself, having been a world-class athlete. It is a total honor for a man of his stature to coach here at Ball State."
Sophomore Lanae Stovall said in addition to Nix's intense experience and knowledge, he brings a lighter side to practice by making every day an adventure.
"In the time [Nix] has been here, we have picked up so much wisdom from him but he always seems to have something to say, too," Stovall said. "[Nix] makes every day interesting with his jokes on all of us, and the way he is always rockin' the sweatbands."
Nix came to Ball State after a career in criminal justice, transitioning to become a full-time coach.
When asked why he came to Ball State, Nix said he wanted to focus on education.
"The main reason I came to Ball State was because it is a very well-respected academic institution," Nix said. "The school itself has a lot of good academic programs, and I knew it would be a good thing to be a part of."
Prior to coaching at Ball State, Nix coached at Brebeuf-Jesuit, Park Tudor and Pike High Schools in Indianapolis.
While at Pike, Nix said his fondest memory of coaching was when one of his runners won an individual state title.
"I kept putting it into his head [everyday at practice] that he could win, and when he did, he came up to me and gave me a big hug," Nix said. "It brought tears to my eyes; it was a very happy moment."
Nix said that coaching at the high school level left him feeling conflicted in trying to juggle work and coaching. This dilemma caused problems as Nix felt he was not giving enough attention to his runners, he said.
"It was hard - with work being so sporadic, I was not giving those kids the attention they deserved," Nix said. "It took advantage of them, and it was not fair."
Now holding a full-time coaching position at Ball State, Nix said he can focus on just coaching while not letting his athletes down.
At 46 years old, Nix still runs and competes on the Masters circuit.
"I couldn't wait to turn 40 so I could begin competing on the Masters level," Nix said. "As soon as I [turned 40] I began competing and still do."
Nix competes in numerous competitions across the country during the year including the National Masters Track and Field Championships where he has won three national championships in 2001, 2003 and 2004.
Leaving his career in criminal justice and taking a job as a full-time coach has also allowed Nix time to train.
Nix said coaching is now at the forefront of his efforts. He said he is relishing his time at Ball State by helping the team improve with his first-hand expertise.
"Coach (Heisler) and I have had experience from that level and we bring a lot of life experience," Nix said. "The ultimate though, is to make them productive citizens on and off the track."
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