“ SUCCESSFULLY COACHING CROSS COUNTRY IN AN INNER CITY ENVIRONMENT ” Kelly Silha, Head Coach MacArthur High School/Aldine ISD

MacArthur High School “The Generals” 4400 Aldine Mail Route Houston, Texas Aldine ISD Opened in 1965 Named for General Douglas MacArthur 3,165 enrollment

Demographics of Aldine Per capita income: $12,055 Median Household Income: $37,925 37% Rented Occupied Home Units MHS: 90% Hispanic, 7% Black, 2% White, 1% Other 90% Economically Disadvantaged 80% Students qualify for Free breakfast and lunch subsidy 10% Students quality for Reduced price lunch

On the way to state…..

Challenge and Solutions… the urban landscape Limited long distance running options: urban area with no sidewalks or greenbelts, high traffic area, concrete surface, no training hills available, stray dogs, crime Solutions: Established 3 running routes to maximize safety Stay in running groups so drivers can see them Wear reflective gear to optimize visibility Emphasize stretching to minimize shin splints from concrete

Challenge and Solutions… cultural and socioeconomic barriers Lower income families with fewer resources to spend on running shoes, limited parent volunteers as many parents work multiple jobs, language barriers Solutions: Obtain grants to cover running equipment, breakfast/lunch/snacks Daily Summer Running Program: creates a grass roots connection to the community, intergenerational, encourages running for all skill levels, Shoe scholarships available, Friday “Running Field Trips”

Local fun runs…

Challenge and Solutions: Team Logistics Challenges: lack of transportation to events, kids have after school jobs, low Booster Club involvement, shoes and uniforms, lower SAT scores, nutrition Solutions: - Practice scheduled in the morning to avoid job conflicts - Friday “pre-race ritual”: Buy frozen food to serve team meal cooked at school, invite Mac Arthur HS XC alumni to speak/motivate - Shoes and uniforms through grant funding - Tutorials - Wisconsin Trip: annual trip to Midwest Invitational, exposure to new opportunities, cultures, people

Wisconsin Trip

Volunteering in the community…

9 Current MacArthur HS Cross Country Scholarship Runners All are first generation college students…. Houston Baptist University University of Wisconsin - Platteville Ranger Junior College, Ranger, TX Southwest Assembly of God University (SAGU) Southern University of LA, Baton Rouge Prairie View University Colby College

Local Community Support…

In Summary…. Create a culture of accountability for athletes Network with community organizations, local businesses Partner with local state representative Armando Walle, former MHS student athlete Work with school administration for creative options to overcome funding and logistic issues

Create a culture of equality on the team Running is an equal playing field Create a culture of accountability for actions, hard work

Thank you for your time! Questions?