Nobody has had a busier year than Lehman College cross country and track and field Head Coach Lesleigh Hogg. His hard work paid off not only when he guided three of his six teams to CUNYAC championships, but also when he named men's outdoor track and field Coach of the Year following the conclusion of the outdoor season.
The fact that Hogg coaches six sports at Lehman means that there is never an offseason for the successful skipper. Since his arrival at the institution in 1996, his teams have won a combined 14 championships. Simple math brings fans to the conclusion that Hogg has averaged winning at least one championship per academic year since his arrival, an accomplishment that is truly remarkable.
"Coach Hogg has done a terrific job of bringing in student-athletes who have succeeded both in the classroom and out," Lehman College Athletic Director Dr. Martin L. Zwiren said. "He is a hard-working coach who demands a lot from his athletes, and his success speaks for itself. He's done a great job of motivating the kids and getting them to give everything they have. I'm very proud of the job he's done this past year."
This past winter, for the second straight year, Hogg guided both indoor track and field units to championships. A little over two months later, he led the men's outdoor track and field team to its first CUNYAC championship behind the phenomenal efforts of All-American Pete Charles, veterans Jase Franklyn and Joseph Bodden, and standout newcomer Andre Gouldbourne.
Lehman's women's team, despite falling short in its quest for another outdoor crown, showed tremendous poise and gave Lightning fans a glimpse of the future with their efforts. A staple of the unit – and one of coach Hogg's most celebrated recruits – Dorothy Jean-Pierre – will return for a final season in 2010, and her leadership of a team that will also include Lauren Lourick and Chianne Ashman will be pivotal.
In all, the 2009 men's outdoor track and field Coach of the Year, Lesleigh Hogg, has had a tremendous year guiding his teams to championships and successful seasons. The allotted time for reveling in that success is short, however, because the 2009 cross country season starts in about 11 weeks, meaning the skipper will be working hard to get his cross country teams constructed.
"There is always work to do," Hogg said. "As a coach, there are so many important aspects to the job that one has to tend to, but my job has always been very enjoyable. The student-athletes make work fun. They support each other and they understand what it takes to be successful both in the classroom and on the track, and my goal is to continue to build my teams around individuals who are focused, motivated, and most importantly, enjoy competition."
The 2009 Lehman College cross country schedule will be announced sometime in July.
