GORHAM – On March 23, the University of Southern Maine in Gorham hosted a special event for track athletes from around the state. While coaching clinics have become a familiar way for athletes to enhance their skills and learn from instructors, it is not often that legendary coaches make their presence felt.

That was the case Friday evening as over 50 high school track athletes flooded the USM field house. The larger than expected crowd stemmed from the presence of top national track coach Irving “Boo” Schexnayder.

Schexnayder, who has been involved in coaching for 31 years, started his career in Louisiana. After moving on from Louisiana-Lafayette and Blinn Junior College, Schexnayder was a member of Louisiana State University’s track and field coaching staff for 12 years. During that time he collected 19 NCAA championships.

Schexnayder’s success earned him international recognition and the honor of being the jump coach for Team USA at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China. In short, Schexnayder knows his stuff.

The long jump clinic that he conducted for local high school athletes on Friday was more of an event than a mere clinic. The immense crowd of athletes was also joined by dozens of coaches and parents eager to watch one of the sport’s best instructors hold a 90-minute session, undoubtedly looking to pick up some tips for their own teams and kids.

While it may be easy to pick up coaching tips from a legend, one thing that cannot be taught is presence and command of a crowd. Schexnayder did that with ease.

There he stood, calm and collected, as a mob of athletes surrounded him as he talked them through a series of ballistic stretches. One would have thought he waiting in line for a cup of coffee. There was nothing forced by his approach; his leadership came naturally and the kids responded.

And why shouldn’t it? This is a coach who has been on the biggest stage and enjoyed a lifetime’s worth of success. While Friday’s clinic at USM was certainly not the Olympics, Schexnayder finds it pointless to compare the two atmospheres.

“I don’t like to compare those types of situations,” said Schexnayder. “Every track and field situation has value in itself. I get just as excited watching young kids come out here eager to learn and progress.”

Friday was truly all about learning. After Schexnayder led the group through a 30-minute stretching segment, the remainder of the time focused on the basics of preparation and proper technique.

While many of the athletes subconsciously tried to wow the coaching legend, Schexnayder repeatedly urged them to focus on the basics rather than thrusting them into a competitive atmosphere.

It was a tough task considering 50 of the state’s best athletes were assembled together, all with the hopes of impressing a well-known mentor of some of the nation’s best track and field competitors.

Perhaps the most rewarding aspect for Schexnayder when he coaches high school athletes is the opportunity to teach not only the fundamentals of the sport, but the invaluable lessons that come through athletics.

“I think the values in sport are the same in all sports,” he said. “Hard work does pay off. Setting goals and working steadfastly to achieve the goals is what makes you successful, not just in sports, but in life. I just think sports are wasting a lot of money if they don’t teach life lessons.”

While Schexnayder’s coaching philosophy extends beyond the realm of sports, it was obvious that the athletes in attendance enhanced their performance skills in just the short session. Just ask Thornton Academy’s Dylan Smith.

“(Schexnayder) definitely helped with my landing,” Smith said. “It’s something I know I’m going to use. It’s really a great opportunity to learn things they used at the Olympics and in the professional ranks.”

“Boo” Schexnayder, who coached the Team USA’s jump team in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, watches as athletes proceed with a drill at a clinic at USM on Friday. (Staff photo by Nate Boroyan)