Pandemic Papers: An interview with Mike Nehr (Class of 2002)

This interview has been on my mind for many weeks now, ever since the great Mike Nehr (from the beloved Class of 2002) sent me his answers via email. Loyal followers of the blog have most certainly noted the sporadic nature of posts. The Pandemic Papers series perhaps has faded into memory. But the pandemic has not. In fact, it’s humming along quite briskly. We might all be tired of this pandemic (“pandemic fatigue,” it’s called) but it’s not tired of us. Being weary of it and wanting it to go away does not make it go away. Hope is not a strategy. Include any other 2020 cliché here right now, but this latest ‘surge’ or whatever you want to call it is frightening the bejesus out of me. Call me a nervous nelly. I hope I’m overreacting, as usual.

So yeah. Now it’s high time to get this interview up on the blog. So much can be said of Mikey Nehr and he did a great job of summarizing it here in this long and wonderful interview. I won’t rehash it here too much but I will tell you this: I am thankful every day for the loyalty of our Forever Foxes. Each of you is a part of the fabric of this program over the past three decades. Mike Nehr has taken loyalty a step beyond that. Nearly 20 years after his graduation, Mikey stays connected to our program in a special way. He still comes to meets (you know … when we actually HAVE them). He has connected with newer generations of Foxes. They know him, he knows them. Over the years when he has come to the meets, he has gotten to know our current team members and parents, especially the ones that live near him on his native Long Island. As our oldest son Joey wraps up his time as an undergraduate student at Stony Brook, it was comforting to know that Mikey was a short drive away in Hauppauge, if he ever needed him. Joey is a fiercely independent kid and would never ask for help, but I always knew that I could text Mikey (or the Townsends or the Valentinos or many others) and they would be there for him.

Like I said. I could go on and on and on. Know this. In the first several years after graduation, on Father’s Day, I would get calls, emails and texts from Mike Nehr and I’ve always remembered every one of them. Now that he is a father himself, with two beautiful young children and an awesome young family, I’m proud of the man he’s become and it was an honor to be his coach (and to still be his coach). Mikey, sorry it took so long for me to post this interview. I guess my “pandemic fatigue” has manifested itself in the blog. Better late than never. Thanks for taking the time to answer these questions so thoroughly.

How, when and why did you start running?  Did you play other sports growing up? 

I didn’t officially start running until I joined the cross country team in middle school. I knew nothing about the sport.  My 6^th grade physical education teacher asked me to be part of the team in 7^th grade and that’s how it all began. Growing up, I was always active.  I would spend hours every day playing sports with friends, riding bikes for hours, but I was never part of any organized programs.  Joining middle school cross country and track was an amazing experience.  I won my first medal during my 8^th grade track season when I ran the 3000-meter race at an invitation.  I didn’t know what I was doing, but I knew I could just keep running.  I also didn’t really know what I was doing during the awards ceremony, but it was as if I won a medal in the Olympics.

What was your high school running career like; highlights, best memories, etc.

Coach Pete once referred to me as some schmoe 10:15 two-miler in high school.  I was also kicked off the cross country team when I was in 9^th grade.  OK, I wasn’t your typical Marist recruit from high school.  I was mediocre or perhaps to some, you might just say I was slow.  You might be wondering why I was kicked off my team.  During my freshman year, I was the top runner with a great group of teammates, but we were not very competitive. Towards the end of my freshman season, I came down with a virus or something and I didn’t adequately train for about two weeks. I didn’t feel like I was ready for the county meet and I really didn’t want to let the team down with a poor performance. We were supposed to leave school early for the big race, however, I refused to go. My coach tried to get me to go, but I gave every reason in the book to not go and he kicked me off the team in front of my class.  Coach didn’t know what was going on through my head and how I couldn’t handle the pressure. As a result, I never ran for the rest of that school year.  We made amends by sophomore year and I resumed with my running journey. 

My somewhat official best times were:

5k sunken meadow—17:47ish

3200 meters---10:11

1600 meters---4:48

800 meters—maybe 2:16—don’t remember

I was, at best, a mediocre runner.

Refresh my memory with regard to the recruitment process—what other schools were you interested in and how did you ultimately choose Marist? 

I really had no idea where I would end up.  I think only one school really reached out to me and that was Molloy College.  Everything would have been paid for and financially, that seemed like the most logical decision.  However, I was encouraged to look at other schools. I reached out to Iona and they asked me about my state meet times. Unfortunately, I never qualified for a state meet. Villanova told me to call them back when I ran a minute faster. I almost went to Canisius College. I reached out to them, they expressed interest and I was almost sold on going there until I visited Marist College. Best decision of my life. I knew right away that Marist is where I wanted to be, if I could afford it of course. Coach Pete picked me up from the train station in what appeared to be somewhat of an old beat up jalopy of a car (maybe a Subaru station wagon/hatchback) with a plethora of bumper stickers (Editor’s note: This sounds about right … not much has changed in 20-plus years …). Coach Pete welcomed me and we were on our way to campus.  It felt like home as soon as we arrived and the picturesque campus was a dream come true.  Coach Pete left me in good hands with Joe Majkowski to tour the campus.  After talking to Pete and seeing the campus, I couldn’t wait to be a student athlete at Marist.

I’ll never forget your first few days at practice, coming in wearing an “Air Nehr” hat and with the swagger of a top recruit.  What are some of your first memories of your first days, weeks, and months at Marist?

I still have that hat.  It was a nickname that I got from running in high school and playing handball.  It just kind of stuck with me for a little while.  As much as I wanted to go away to college, it was hard for me at first.   I was a slow, shy freshman who tried to fit in.   Everyone was trying to find their role, I think mine just took a little longer.  I suppose at first, I hoped to have that confidence wearing that “Air Nehr” hat, but I guess I had to redefine myself.  I managed to run in the mid 28 min range at Van Cortlandt Park for 5 miles.  That time seemed ok.  The rest of that first semester didn’t go so well for me.  I went home many weekends and developed a really bad case of acne which was probably induced by stress.  The doctor put on me on some medication to treat it for the next four months.  One of the side effects was joint pain which made it difficult to train through even though I tried.  I ended up redshirting winter track. It was a challenging few months, but luckily I had some great teammates to pick me up.

You improved rapidly during your time at Marist eventually becoming a record-setting runner on the team.  To what do you attribute your great success?  Also what are some of your favorite memories and highlights of your four year career as a student athlete at Marist?

I attribute my success to Coach Pete and the team.  It wouldn’t be possible without them.  They truly were my family away from home.  Coach Pete writes blogs on many alumni and current athletes.  In his eyes, we all matter to him as we have played an integral part in Marist XC/Track history. I think someone needs to write an article, “Why does Coach Pete matter”? You took a chance on a kid who ran 10:11 for 3200 meters just as you take a chance on any athlete who walks through the doors of Marist. My first semester ended with me in the hospital for food poisoning and Coach Pete was there in the hospital to make sure I was ok. Pete actually visited me in the hospital a second time for food poisoning. I will never forget that and the countless things you have done for me. Coach worked full time at the Poughkeepsie Journal and coached part time at Marist, but we all know in reality, it was a full-time job.  On top of that you started a family while I was a freshman and you managed to find time for guys like me when I needed you the most. My father was never part of my life and Coach Pete was too young to be my dad, but he always looked after me like he would for any of his athletes. Again, my success starts with Pete and the team and I’m extremely thankful to you. 

After my redshirt winter track freshman season, I finally had the opportunity to run spring track and ran a respectable 16:00 minute 5k.  Putting in all those miles and with patience, my times continued to drop.  Sophomore year, I ran around 27 minutes for 5 miles at VCP and around 15:10 for 5k.  My best times would end up being 25:52 for 5 miles at VCP, 8:24 3k, 3:57 1500m, and 14:45 for 5k.

One of my favorite memories was our record setting day when we won the IC4A for XC in 2000.  Alumni Pat Driscoll spoke of this day in an earlier interview.  It was truly an amazing day.   Only 7 of us took part in the record scoring race, but every member of the team contributed to make that happen.   I have a little story that sets this up.  Be patient with it.  

Story:

Growing up, my mom worked at a local church and there was this priest who would visit every summer from the Philippines.  He was an extremely wise and soft-spoken man.  When I was about 10, my lymph nodes throughout my body were all very swollen and there was a great deal of concern. I visited two different doctors and both felt that I needed to see a specialist to do a biopsy with fear that there could be something there. Father Adolfo gave me a blessing at this time. He put his hand on my head and told me everything would be ok.  He proceeded to tell me a few other things.  He said that in the year 2000, a big event would happen in running and in 2001, that I would become famous. Shortly after that, I went to a third well known doctor at a top hospital and he looked at me and basically said that there was nothing wrong with me. All the swelling in my lymph nodes dissipated. I was good as new.  Fast forward to 2000. A few weeks before IC4As, we raced at Disney. It was the first time going there and I probably spent too much time enjoying myself at the park (Editor’s note: Not probably. Definitely. From that point forward, every year I have given the “Mike Nehr” speech … don’t tire yourself out before the race! … before and during the Disney trip).  I think I wore myself out and I raced poorly. I felt like I let the team down. We returned to Marist and my goal was redemption. Our first big workout after Disney at Spackenkill High School track, Coach had us run repeat 800s.  I told him I needed to prove to myself that I could still run.  During the first interval, I ended up running 1600 meters instead of 800 meters in around 4:23 or so and then finished the rest of the workout.  I now felt ready.  Father Adolfo said that a big event was going to happen and IC4As was the last race of the season. As a team, we dominated that race by winning and obliterated all types of records at that time. Father Adolfo said I would become famous.  I ended up doing well as I set some records of 8:24 in the 3k, 4:16 mile, 1000 meters in 2:29 and I think I was part of a DMR record of 10:16.  I wouldn’t say I became famous, but it did help me believe that great things could happen as long as I continued to stay driven throughout the process.  Through Coach Pete’s work, awesome teammates and desire to do well, you can make anything possible.

What was your major at Marist and how did it prepare you for your teaching career?

My last answer was long. Sorry. After going undecided my first year, I dual majored in Psychology/Special Education.  I completed my student teaching at Marlboro Elementary and Poughkeepsie High School which ultimately prepared me for what I do today.  My goal in life was to help others through education and still be involved in running.  I have been fortunate to be a teacher for the last 18 years and I spent some years coaching cross country and track while continuing my own running. 

You had a really strong post-collegiate running career—winning races and running fast times.  What are some of the biggest highlights from those years?

After Marist, I went to C.W. Post for Grad School.  I had one season of Winter Track eligibility to use.  I was teaching full time, going to grad school, training and competing during my first year out of Marist.  I ended up running the 5k in 14:31 which earned me a national provisional qualifying time for the NCAA Division II championship meet.    

I won the Long Island half in 2003 in 1:09.  In 2004, I entered to run the half marathon again, but you could decide midway if you wanted to do the full instead.  As I was standing on the starting line, a good friend suggested that I should just run the full.  Without much hesitation, I ran the full and won in 2:34. Another big race was The Great Cow Harbor 10k in which I placed 4^th.  This was really cool since they pay and fly the top 10 runners or so from around the country to be part of it.   I would go on to be part of the local running community participating in many running events.

What are some of your overall fondest memories at Marist -- on and off the track/XC courses? 

My four years at Marist provided an incredible learning experience.  There are so many great memories through the friendships gained, my teammates, coaches and time spent in the classroom.  Marist track was my family away from home.  Something that I never did until Marist was travel.  Most of our meets were in the Northeast but we had a few invitations that brought us to Notre Dame (amazing), various colleges in North Carolina, Disney World (first time ever there) and many other schools from upstate to all over the Northeast.     

I know you’ve had some knee issues since then that have curtailed your running.  Are you still running and if so, how much?  If not, what other exercise/sports are you doing?  

I limited my running to only a few times per week at about 2-4 miles per run.  Most summers I would also play beach volleyball which was not only bad for my knees but did a number on my back. Getting old takes a toll on the body.

Tell us about your teaching career -- where and what do you teach, how long have you been there, and tell us about your coaching career as well!

My first two years teaching was at a BOCES on Long Island.  For the past 16 years, it has been a pleasure teaching at Syosset Central School District.  I currently teach 6^th grade math and science at the middle school.  Early in my teaching, I coached the girls varsity XC/Track and a couple of years helping a good friend with the North Babylon Track Team. Throughout that time, there were multiple athletes named All County and one who became state champion in the 3200.

You’ve got a wonderful young family.  Tell us about your wife, kids, where you live, etc.  How has the pandemic affected your family and work life? 

We currently live in Hauppauge, NY which is basically in the middle of Long Island.  Julie and I recently celebrated 13 years of marriage.  We are blessed with two wonderful children.  Our 8-year-old daughter Sophia is usually busy with dance and gymnastics while our 5-year-old son Matthew is involved in deck/ice hockey and baseball. Both are very athletic as we spend hours outside riding bikes and doing other outdoor activities. The pandemic has been a game changer for everyone.  Coach Pete knows how much we like to do road trips during the summer.  Unfortunately, all of that has been cancelled except for some day trips. Most days, we just try to keep our kids busy.

As I ask everyone, what are some of your favorite memories of the final few months of your college years and what message can you impart on our recently graduated seniors?

I cherished every moment of Marist, especially those last few months whether it be on the track, the classroom or just hanging out with friends. I feel really bad for those Marist seniors who lost out on some of those culminating activities and a typical graduation ceremony. At the same, I congratulate you all for all that you have achieved and overcome. You are officially a “Forever Fox.” Your journey is going to be a challenge as we continue to navigate through these unprecedent times, but like most Marist Alumni, your time spent at Marist will greatly help you achieve the success you are looking for.  I wish you the best of luck. 

What does the short-term future hold in terms of the pandemic, going back to school, sports, all of it—in your opinion?

It was unfortunate to hear about the cancelling of many college sports, but ultimately, safety and well-being is top priority.   Sports help drive us, but this virus has clearly put those plans on the back burner.  I have my own concerns with my children going back to school. My children are expected to wear a mask most of the day, maintain little movement and stay socially distant from their friends. School is supposed to be a fun learning experience, but it looks like that will be on hold too.  I can only pray for our world to return to normal so we can enjoy and do the things we once did without worries.  Perhaps science will come to the rescue with a vaccine that will be safe for all.  Based on what I have read and seen, we might not return to a near normal status until next summer.  I will remain optimistic and hope for the best as I know we will get through this.

Anything else you’d like to add…

Thank you Coach Pete for including me in the Pandemic Papers.  It is an honor to be a Marist alum and to watch and hear about all the success of the program that you and Coach Chuck built. Marist XC/Track will eventually be back in action. I wish everyone the best and be well!