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Sullivan honored for his 50 years aiding Sikeston track program
SIKESTON — When it comes to track and field in Sikeston, not many individuals know more than Murray Sullivan.
He has been through the ups and the downs, along with when the program first began to what it has become today.
Before Tuesday’s Sikeston Invitational, Sikeston athletic director Andy McGill presented Sullivan with a plaque to honor his 50 years of service with track and field in the area.
The love for the sport began early for Sullivan and has grown over the years.
All in all, track and field is in his blood.
“I ran in high school myself, so I was already attracted to it,” Sullivan said. “Then, when I got to Sikeston, I kind of worked with the kids a little bit over (at the old school); I started out in the junior high and I just kind of helped out a little bit. We moved over to the high school in ’68, and it was that following spring that I was asked if I would help time.
“So, I’ve been there ever since. It means a great deal. I’ve seen the program grow. I’ve seen a lot of great athletes from Sikeston, as well as from other schools. I’ve seen a lot of changes take place over the years.”
Over time, Sullivan’s duties have become more straightforward as well.
Using a standardized timer on the infield of the track is what Sullivan does, but with the help of electronic services, the old-fashioned timer is a thing of the past.
Training has also changed. Athletes are much more athletic than when Sullivan first started, and to him, it’s something to behold.
“It’s just a fantastic thing,” Sullivan said. “I’ve seen track evolve into something a lot more simple into something quite sophisticated. Of course, the athletes have gotten better, bigger, and stronger. There were 16 teams in this track meet, and there were a lot of really strong and fast kids running among the guys. I just couldn’t imagine, back when I was in high school; there was nobody I could even think about that looked like some of these kids do today.
“I mean muscled up, strong, fast; it’s just amazing. Most of the records, I guess, that’s over there in the Field House; most of them I think — since I’ve started — have been broken. Some just only recently.”
The races have also changed.
When Sullivan first started timing, the primary method was the old English system, but now the metric system has taken over.
“It used to be, for example, a mile run, two-mile run, and then it became the 1600-meters and 3200-meters. Instead of 440, it became 400-meters,” Sullivan said. “Instead of 100-yard, it was 100-meters. So, those kinds of changes came through during my tenure.
“Originally when I started, we didn’t even run a two-mile. Techniques used to, for example, among the help that we had to have at a track meet, we had to have a couple of people hold the string at the finish line. We always had to have a string, so the lead runner would break the string as they crossed. Of course today, we don’t use that stuff anymore.”
Over time, Sullivan has seen many coaches come and go as well, and the one thing he has noticed over the years is how tougher track and field is to teach.
“Coaching has gotten more sophisticated, better; they get more out of their kids,” Sullivan said. “So, there’s been a lot of changes and I know it will continue to do that — it won’t stop now. It’s been a satisfaction; it’s really been a fulfillment over these years to see how it’s grown, how it’s matured. The girls’ have such a good track system going now, and it’s great, it really is.”