Ralph's Brigade [WR 3, Group 3]

Of course, along with the tactful catch-phrases and TLC, comes his extraordinary workouts- and yes they ARE extraordinary. Often, just upon hearing them, you will feel a heart wrenching, oxygen deprived stir throughout your body. “Alright, kids, excited today?” followed by a light chuckle, and then “Good, we’re going to do 1-2-2-1-2-2-1-22-1. Walk a 100 in-between each. And then reverse and do it again. Oh, and beforehand, take the three-mile lake-run.” A command like this, given to kids as young as eight, would be expected to instantly fill the youthful athletes with fear and a lack of confidence. However, this was never the case. While Ralph’s constant bantering, teasing, and vulgar humor, coupled with his “motivational” outbursts, appear to be demeaning and counterproductive, they are in reality the foundation of a strong running program and team. What these demands and teasing really do is motivate the athlete, and make each athlete forget about their all too present childhood insecurities. Instead, they focus on what is being said to them. This provided motivation and encouragement (through strong words, yes, but encouragement nonetheless) is successfully delivered to a huge group of people. We were all made mentally tough due to Ralph’s unfaltering ability to recognize fake “pains” when they were acted out before him. His consistent and thoroughly enforced workouts physically built our stamina and competence in running. His unique coaching style creates a strong team; able to conquer any crazy workout together, led by an impossible, yet all-around revered coach. What may appear as “flaws” to an outsider, are the exact attributes that flawlessly build and maintain an incredible team.