By Adam Rivers, The Republican
SPRINGFIELD - Just four years ago, American International College didn't have track and field or cross country teams, or a track to run on.
Flash forward to 2010 - and the AIC men's indoor track team leaped into a second-place finish at the Northeast-10 Conference's indoor championships.
With a team featuring student athletes from all over the world, the diverse group has worked hard to make a name for the relatively new program, which looks forward to being a force in the outdoor track season this spring.
However - similar to other success stories of this nature - there's a story behind the hard-working group and how they've risen to prominence. That story lies with AIC track and field and cross country head coach Leo Mayo, of Springfield, who was selected as Coach of The Year for the Northeast 10 Conference at the Feb. 17 championships, an award voted on by fellow coaches in the conference.
Mayo also received additional accolades in March, when he was named NCAA Division II East Region Coach of the Year.
"I am extremely excited about these awards," said Mayo. "I am glad that my peers can see how hard I have worked to get the team this far."
Mayo, the only coach in the history of either program at the school, has been a big part of what has propelled the team to its recent success, says Richard Bedard, director of athletics at American International College.
"The growth of our cross country and track and field program is entirely due to Coach Mayo's efforts," Bedard said.
A 2002 graduate of Central Connecticut State University, Mayo holds CCSU's school record in the 3,000 meter run with a time of 8:33.
A history of success has followed Mayo wherever he's coached. Before arriving at AIC, Mayo was the head indoor track and cross country coach at Bloomfield High School in Bloomfield, Conn., from 2004 to 2006. He took over a cross country program that had no returning runners, and proceeded to field full squads for the first time in five years at the school.
American International College's track and field program started with humble beginnings in the summer of 2006. Along with Bedard, Vincent M. Maniaci, president of the college, determined that the program could be a great asset to the college. With no coach, track or place to run, the team was certain to face obstacles in its development.
That's when Mayo walked through Bedard's door on a "cold" visit a few days later.
"It was clear right away that Leo was the right person to undertake this tremendous project. We have grown by leaps and bounds since then," said Bedard, who also credited the student athletes for their patience and resourcefulness in developing the program despite a lack of resources.
Along with the creation of the track and field and cross country programs, the college decided to revitalize other sports at the college that had fallen stagnant, including wrestling and lacrosse. Bedard says the environment that has been created due to the college's commitment to its student athletes has been "very invigorating," and the program's goal is to give its student athletes "the best experiences it can, that they can carry with pride into their adult lives."
Mayo says that much of the team's successes are a direct result of their hard work and diligent, quality training.
"I have instilled into my athletes that they will not succeed unless they put in their best effort every day," Mayo said. "I also instill in my athletes to set their goals high, to always try to be the best they can be - the same approach that I took and am taking while building this program."
"Coach Mayo is an extremely hard worker and a very good coach, and he has put together a good team of assistants, as well," Bedard said. "He has found student athletes from around the world (from countries such as Kenya, France, and Germany) - and right down the street." Bedard also noted he has received many compliments from conference officials on how the school's student athletes comported themselves, which made him "very proud."
Mayo says that his long-term goals for the program include winning an NCAA Division II Championship.
"I will continue to recruit quality student athletes who are willing to work towards the same goals that I have, as well as develop the athletes that I currently have to be the best that they can be," Mayo said.
