DyeStatCal Girls
Coach of the Week
Corona del Mar HS
Bill Sumner

Week of 10/02-06, 2006
California


photo Courtesy Cal Coast Track Club
2005 Corona del Mar group at Fresno's Clovis Invitational

The coach and program do not need much of an introduction.  During the past few years a school name at the top of all the rankings lists in Cross-Country and Track & Field has been Corona del Mar, under Coach Bill Sumner.  A fixture at the school for a couple of decades, his involvement with the ladies is more recent, and with Anne St. Geme leading the last few years, the fall cross-country squad was ranked as high as #1 in the nation in our fall sport, with the 2006 group charging ahead in its own super style, most recently racing to a dominating Stanford Invitational win. 

I have a personal story that I do not think I ever related even to Bill himself.  While coaching in the early 1980's I had one student, not great academically or athletically who was from a split family, and had some difficulties along the way personally that I am sure tied into that situation.  During the summer he waved good-by to our program and went to live with one or the other parent in Newport Beach, and I hoped he would return in some decent athletic condition, especially the final senior year he was with us.  When he came back in August he had obviously done a great deal of summer preparation, and indicated that he and an army went over to Corona del Mar at like 6:30 am and worked out with this great guy, Coach Sumner.  He raved about Sumner's popularity with the young people, and took part in a great summer program.  He came back to us, put together a super season, and ended up the fifth man on a league championship squad.  Thanks Bill!!   

Congrats - good luck
Be sure to check out the great Runner's World article linked at the bottom of this quick interview
Doug Speck
DyeStatCal.com

What has been your personal athletic background while you were growing up and as an adult?

I have been a non-stop athlete since 1955. I tried all different kinds of sports throughout high school and beyond. I played a lot of baseball and even took a stab at wrestling.  I still run daily (have since 1955) and compete in road races when I can find the time. 

What attracted you to coaching along the way?

In high school, I was the one who would put together enough people to get the game going, so I just continued. In addition more than 25 years ago, a tri-athlete asked me to coach and help him. I began to concentrate on track and cross-country. I like the fact that I never have to cut anyone. Everyone plays!

How did you become involved at Corona del Mar as a non-teacher.

I met and talked with a couple of teachers from Corona del Mar in 1983. The rest is history.

How has it been to work at the school as a non-staff member with the athletic program?

Challenging. I am not good at paperwork. Also I had to make a big effort to meet more students, teachers and parents to bring out lots of participants.

Who influenced you the most along the way of your own sports career and what you have observed in other that helped mold your coaching philosophy?

My uncle helped me the most. He showed me that sports could keep you out of trouble and also could teach you a lot.

My coaching mentors are Seymour Black from Sierra Vista High, Dave Casper from Baldwin Park, and Don Rue from Mt Sac College. I met them all in the sixties and still talk to them often.

I know you did not always coach the girls at the high school level, how did that come about?

The guy that was coaching the girls at CDM got too busy, starting being late, or not showing up and I started helping and then inherited the team. I had to learn a new style with the girls.

What are the characteristics of the teams in the last couple of years in your eyes that has made them so successful?

We continue to raise the bar. Try to make progress every day is the motto.

What kind of summer training did your team do?

We are an average to low mileage team during the summer. We start easy. August and September are for preparation, October is to test, and November is to race.

How did you approach the course at Stanford as far as team tactics and how did that go?

The idea is to respect everyone, but fear no one. We had a very high respect for Torrey Pines and for Buchanan and also wanted to be prepared for surprises. Torrey Pines and Buchanan ran very well so our preparation was accurate.

What advice would you to a beginning coach in Cross-Country.

Don’t try to learn everything in one year. Be patient with the kids and with yourself. Start out with a 4 year plan, but use a pencil, so you can be flexible.

Cal Coast Track Club

Runner's World article on Sumner


Link to Coach and Athlete of Week Index Page