Coaches Spotlight- James Tigue
Milesplit Interview with James Tigue
How did you first get into running?
My first experience with track was actually as a 400m runner and a high jumper and it wasn’t until the summer before my junior year that I decided to become a distance runner. Several of my friends talked me into running with them and I was hooked.
You ran under legendary Parkview Coach Karl Bostick. Can you explain the impact he had on you as a runner and later as a coach?
It’s hard to put into words. Obviously, Coach Bostick had a profound impact on my life he is the main reason that I became a teacher and a coach. One thing that people may not know about Coach Bostick is that he was an incredible teacher—he brought life to his lessons and was as passionate about teaching as he was coaching. I never had the opportunity to have him as a teacher but well before I knew who he was, when I was just a freshman, I remember sitting in class listening to him teach in an adjacent classroom and thinking to myself that that is the way teaching is supposed to be. When I decided to run cross country a couple of years later I could see why he was so successful. He brought that same enthusiasm and passion with him every day. He didn’t half-[butt] anything. He was an exceptional motivator and didn’t put up with a lot of nonsense and the result was that he had such a positive impact on the lives of the kids he coached. I wanted to have that same positive influence on people and hopefully, will pay it forward to the kids I have coached and taught.
How was it coaching at the same high school that you attended?
Parkview has a tremendous winning tradition. I am just proud that I had a small part in helping build that tradition not only as a coach but as a former athlete. My students would sometimes ask if it was weird teaching where I went to school and but it never was. I guess the only weird part is figuring out whether or not you should call your former teachers by their first name or not.
Parkview won the State title in 2004, the year before you took over as head coach. Can you explain how it was to step in and try to keep a good thing going?
It was actually a tough situation to come into. I had absolutely no coaching experience and everyone kept telling me how loaded the team was so I felt a lot of pressure not to screw a good thing up. The biggest obstacle as I saw it was getting the kids to “buy in” to my way of doing things but the kids were great and were on board from day one. We had our ups and downs that season but sure enough they proved to be the most talented team again that year. I owe a lot to those kids because they gave me credibility as a coach.
What are some of your favorite memories while at Parkview?
I know this seems like a cop out but honestly, just being with the team. I looked forward to practice every day because I loved working with athletes that worked so hard yet had a lot fun.
What runners that you’ve coached come to mind as good examples for the rest of the team?
I know I am going to leave some deserving kids out but some of the ones that come to mind and what they brought to the team… Michael Winston and Josh Pinson were very similar in that they could not stand losing and demanded a lot of their teammates. Celis Lynch for being a winner. Brett Richardson for showing that dedication and consistency can really pay off. Brian Detweiler for his competitiveness. Steven Spevacek for showing that you can still have fun and be successful. Alec Klassen for his work ethic. Alec Harp, Laura Boswell, and Jake McLaren for showing how to deal with adversity when things don’t go as planned with grace and dignity.
As you transition to Lambert High School, what are your thoughts about your time at Parkview?
I am truly going to miss my time at Parkview and I’m going to miss the coaches, teachers, parents, athletes and students I have had the opportunity to work with.
What are your goals for Lambert?
I am really looking forward to my opportunity at Lambert and I would like to help build a program that is consistently in the mix at state each year.
State XC Titles: 2005, 2006
2nd at State: 2009, 2010
3rd at State: 2007
Region XC Titles: 2005, 2006, 2010, 2013 202-2625
County XC Titles: 2005, 2006, 2007
State Track Title: 2009
County Track Title: 2009
Region Track Title: 2009
Individual State Champion: Marcelis Lynch-800m-2006, 2007, 2008