Below we’ve shared some of the stories of former CMU athletes and the positive impact the Men’s T&F team had on their life, family and community. If you have a story to share, please feel free email it to us at ReinstateCMUTrack@gmail.com.
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Below are additional stories and feedback submitted by Alumni
Emerson Jones, Class of 2000
I am the only member of my nuclear and extended family to have attended university, something only made possible by the offer of a scholarship. I arrived on campus in 1996 as a naive but excited freshman from Canada. My only means of transportation for the duration of my time at CMU was a bicycle. I didn’t have much money, living far from home and yet within days of arriving on campus I was immediately embraced as a teammate and friend by dozens of strangers. These people who played such a crucial role during a pivotal part of my life came from all walks of life, inner cities, backwoods and everything in between. I’ll never forget being stuck on campus one year during U.S. thanksgiving with no money and no food. My teammate Willie Randolph‘s mom, a wonderful black lady who couldn’t have cared less that I was a skinny white kid from Canada, made up a turkey dinner plate for Willie to bring to me. When you sweat, laugh, cry and support each other to achieve a common goal, you realize something on a fundamental level, we are all brothers and sisters on this journey through life. The world would be a better place if we all saw each other as teammates.Beyond learning the resilience and perseverance required to be a student athlete while holding down a part-time job, I also learned to appreciate my own circumstances and identity. I only ever recall a sense of appreciation for the opportunity I had, I knew even then, that CMU was a great place to be. I may not have had a car or flashy things, but I was a varsity athlete and that brought me a lot of pride.I certainly made the most of my college experience and even made some mistakes and poor decisions along the way, but even those lead to self-reflection and growth. The life lessons I learned as a direct result of being a member of CMU’s track program emboldened me to pursue a distinguished career as a pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force. It set the stage for me to earn a second degree and be honored as Valedictorian of the Faculty of Education. It taught me how to strive for excellence, to cope with defeat and persevere.Lastly, it was at CMU that I met my wife of 17 years, who I am still happily married to and share two children turning 13 and 15.
The opportunities and lessons that arose from my participation on the CMU track team changed the trajectory of my entire adulthood. Im incredibly saddened to know that some young male athlete will not have that same experience and impact in their life. In today’s day and age where we are trying to extoll the virtues of inclusivity, diversity and equality of opportunity, the athletic department has chosen to go another route, and I find it incredibly disappointing and heartbreaking.
Quinn Auten, Class of 1991
CMU Track and Field was an incredibly positive influence on me as I exited the inner city of Detroit and I learned from the positive role models I worked with every day, be it other student athletes, or coaches, or trainers. Everyone learned that applying yourself, committing to hard work, teamwork and spirit resulted in success on and off the track. My experiences with the CMU Track and Field Team allowed me to develop as a person, to gain confidence and aspire to greater things in life. This led me to public service as an Officer in the US Marine Corps and a successful career in federal Law Enforcement. Without the opportunity that CMU gave me, the standards and expectations promoted by the team, I doubt I would have made through college let alone all the resulting adventures life has thrown at me. My friends from the team are among the best I’ve ever had. My respect for our coaches is enduring and influenced me to be a better leader for those I would later mentor and lead. It breaks my heart that CMU has turned away from the time tested, most historical of college sports and the fine and storied reputation and tradition that is CMU Track and Field. I implore anyone in position to remedy this mistake or advocate for the Track and Field Team to be reestablished to do so with all haste and effort.
Joel Krafsur, Class of 1990
I grew up in Southfield, Michigan. In high school, I was an average student and a less than average runner. Upon graduating from high school, I attended Albion College. I chose Albion because that is where my oldest brother went to college and it was the only college that offered me the opportunity to run.
In June 1986, Jeff Drenth died. I knew Jeff because he was my camp counselor at the Wolverine Running Camp. At that time, I had a choice to make. I could attend Jeff’s funeral or see my brother David run at the NCAA Track and Field Championships. David was a senior at The University of Tennessee and this was the only time that he qualified for Nationals. I chose to attend the funeral and it changed my life.
It was at the funeral that I first met Walt Drenth. Walt had just started his now legendary coaching career, and was at CMU. Once I met Walt, I knew that I had to transfer to CMU.
At CMU, I learned about setting goals, working harder than I thought possible, perseverance, and overcoming adversity. I did not learn these attributes in the classroom at CMU, but rather on the roads of Mt. Pleasant and on the track with my new family. I graduated from CMU as a member of the first cross country team in school history to win the MAC championship and qualify for Nationals. I also won two indoor conference championships in the 3000m.
Upon graduation, I attended The University of Toledo College of Law. Although I only received one grade lower than a “B” in any class at CMU, law school was overwhelming. It became clear after my first set of final examinations that the education I received in the classroom at CMU did not prepare me for law school. I came as close as one can to being expelled at the end of my first year, due to poor academic performance.
So, how did I make it through law school? I realized that working harder than I thought possible, persevering in the face of overwhelming odds, and overcoming adversity applied to life and not just athletics. I ended up graduating in the middle of my law school class.
Using these same skills, I have also been successful In both the business and legal worlds. Today, I have the honor of working as a judge. This would not have happened without CMU athletics.
Chris Heggelund, Class of 1997
I can confidently state that my time at Central Michigan University and my time with the Track and Field team has shaped my life, career, family and general trajectory in a positive way. Much like many of my former teammates and now friends I came to CMU as a skinny, shy and somewhat timid teenager. And while I probably didn’t appreciate it as much as I should have at the time, the tutelage and leadership of Craig Fuller and Jim Knapp helped me develop into a good citizen and subsequently in my career – a leader.
When I first arrived at campus I was brand new to the American college experience. While I had spent a year as an exchange student in Michigan, an American university is very different from going to school and growing up in Norway. However, as others have stated, my teammates quickly taught me the ropes and made me feel welcome and part of a rich community in terms of values, acceptance and diversity.
I loved learning about my teammates’ background and culture, and they loved learning about mine. While it is not my proudest achievement, the fact that several of my American teammates left CMU with the ability to curse in Norwegian was likely my doing …
If I am to take away one life lesson from my time at CMU, it is the intense value of a team where everyone is pulling in the same direction with a common goal. As I have had the privilege to grow in my career and take on leadership roles – it is the one lesson I look to the most. A leader is someone who is able to clearly articulate a goal and then align an entire organization to achieve that goal. It requires hard work, it requires a great understanding of people, culture and diversity, it requires focus, and it may even require sacrifices.
While I could list a thousand other positives and life lessons learned at CMU, the fact that I made my home here in Michigan with my wife and 2 children is all the proof needed. I love the community and am very thankful for my experiences to date. I also want to do what I can to ensure that other skinny (or not skinny), shy and timid teenagers get the same opportunities to grow and contribute to society as I did.
Eric Bierstetel, Class of 1998
Instead of sharing my specific story on how the CMU Track and Field team impacted my life, I’d like to share the story of my brother, Steve Bierstetel. Sadly, Steve passed away in 2002 and is not able to share it on his behalf. Steve was a talented distance runner at Fowler High School. Fowler is a small farm town with a population of roughly 1,000 people located in central Michigan. Steve was not sure where he wanted to attend college, nor was he entirely sure he wanted to continue his running career. Then he met Walt Drenth, the CMU Men’s Cross Country Coach and Assistant Track and Field Coach. After a short stint at Lansing Community College, Steve joined Coach Drenth and the men’s teams in Mt. Pleasant. Steve arrived as a walk-on athlete and eventually earned a partial scholarship and continued to have a very successful collegiate running career. Steve was a member of two national qualifying cross country teams, two Mid-American Conference championship cross country teams, and had a very successful track and field career. After completing his undergraduate studies, Steve worked briefly in Management Information Systems before returning to CMU to earn his Master’s Degree in Sports Administration. Steve went on to become an Athletic Director for Portland High School in Portland, Michigan, where he was able to combine two passions in his life, athletics and working with kids. Ultimately Steve moved on to the Athletic Director position at Fowlerville High School in Fowlerville, Michigan, before his death. One thing is for sure, from the minute Steve stepped on to CMU’s campus to the day he died, Steve was a great ambassador for Central Michigan University. Every student Steve worked with who was considering college; Steve encouraged them to look at CMU. Many of these kids attended CMU!
Following in Steve’s footsteps, I ended up at CMU with a partial scholarship for track and field. I count the time spent with Coaches Jim Knapp and Craig Fuller as one of the great experiences of my life. The mentorship from the coaches, the guidance from my older teammates, and the friendships built at that time are a true blessing. Had Steve not attended CMU to join the men’s track and field team, it is very likely I would have gone to college elsewhere.
Following in the footsteps of Steve and myself, my sister, Lisa, also graduated from CMU. I met my wife on campus, and Lisa met her husband there as well. We are hopeful our children will attend CMU soon! With safer, more financially stable times on the horizon, I am hoping all involved will reconsider the decision to end the Men’s Track and Field program. The story of my family is hardly unique. Many, if not all, CMU Track and Field athletes have influenced family, friends, students, and others to attend our great University. The positive financial impact is immeasurable, and the ambassadors created for CMU are incredible. Thank you for your time and consideration.