Years at Hawaii 0.5 years as of January 1, 2002

‘80 M.A. Coaching Science U. of Western Ontario (London, Canada)

’73 Hon.B.A. Phys. Ed U. of Western Ontario (London, Canada)

As Hawaii launches the first full year of it’s new program, Carmyn James recruited Andy McInnis,

long time friend and peer, to help develop the edge to the program she was looking for. The timing was right, the Hawaiian weather perfect (as always) and McInnis welcomed the opportunity to work with Coach James again. Together, they both share a vision for the boundless potential that a program can have on the shores of Waikiki. The two coaches had collaborated many times together in Canada on coaching education and national team projects.

With almost 25 years of experience at the highest international levels of track & field, Andy brings a broad vision of sport to Hawaii. With 4 Olympics and 9 World Championships, he has coached athletes from 15 to 40 years of age, from beginners to world medallists, from high school frosh to doctors, scientists and business leaders. McInnis sees sport on a life long continuum and understands the word "development". He has worked with all levels of academic programs and has developed some the best club and sport support systems in Canada. He has mentored and coached coaches while putting together support teams of volunteers to teach at sport schools and specialized professional groups to get athletes to the upper crust of an Olympic or World final.

The Coach caught his first wave on the shores of Oahu by picking up the coaching and programming for the Wahine Cross-Country Team this Fall, 2001. McInnis helped the women help themselves to their best individual and team season in the school’s NCAA history. Every athlete improved individually. The team recorded a top 10 finish at the NCAA West Regional. Two women were "All West NCAA Award Winners" and Hawaii’s recorded it’s first ever Cross-Country All-American. All this solidified the presence of a new attitude in Honolulu.

So Coach … what’s next? "The North Shore and some bigger waves … the Bonzai Pipeline of course!" The key is to have an irrepressible passion for what you do in life. Come catch the wave….

Technical Knowledge

Master of Arts Degree in Coaching Science (University of Western Ontario)

International — 14 Major Games Medallists and 55 International Games Representatives

Consultant (99-01) - advised sport Olympic and Paralympic federations and organizations on international and national sport strategies, delivery and implementation.

Olympic Games (5) / 80 Moscow, 84 Los Angeles, 88 Seoul, 96 Atlanta, 00 Sydney

(Canada 1977 to 2001) 183 Competitions, 4 International Games Selection Trials, 1 Canadian Championships (Masters), 1 Canadian Junior Championship, 2 IAAF Mobile Indoor Grand Prix Meets, 2 National Combined Event Championships and 8 International Altitude High Meets, 6 Ontario Championships, 1 Ontario Cross Country Championship (USA 1985 — 1987) 18 Track Meets including 1987 NCAA Championships, 2 SEC Championships, TAC Masters National Championships and 4 State School Championships.

A You have to be kidding! … After all, this Hawaii… the sun, sand and surf. Honestly, the answer

is a bit lengthy but there will be some surprises so read on.

I had grown quite frustrated with the limitations choking our national sport system in Canada, though I

really love the sport and have enjoyed knowing and working with so many good people sharing the same struggle to improve things. However, it was still just that … an ever tightening struggle. I really hope this can change in future … for the coaches and athletes. For me, it was either time to change a long career or move. Carmyn presented me with the opportunity to move ... to Hawaii! What an incredible potential! Now, I feel I can probably have more impact on the sport internationally from the shores of Hawaii than I could have by staying in Canada.

In the 80’s I had the rewarding pleasure of coaching in the NCAA (LSU / Baton Rouge) and helped to build an incredible program from the bottom of the Bayou with a great staff of coaches and a committed athletic department and director. We provided great developmental opportunity to many international and U.S. student athletes preparing them for international levels back home. We became a medium for making dreams come true. For many teams and federations looking for warm weather, we provided them with a supportive training base. We also took great pride in the work career success that some of the athletes from our program would pursue. Good athletes with a good degree make good people. This developmental attitude has not changed for me … not since my days at LSU, not back in Canada and not now in Hawaii.

I know what can be accomplished in a supportive university situation in the U.S. The Athletic Department and the staff at UH demonstrate this commitment and a strong loyalty to the academic support and success of the student athletes. I like this.

I also know the impact of warm weather on our sport’s long term success and the work and recovery capacity of the human body. There is a valid reason as to why 80% per cent of the world’s best athletes and programs spend so much time and money chasing the sun. The other 20% of the athletes simply live in the right geography and weather. To train at today’s international intensities is one required variable, but to constantly fight the environmental elements or be limited to the cement walls of indoor winter training ... that is NOT a required variable. To further complicate the equation for success, add the delimiting pressures of being a successful student in a challenging degree area that will dictate you employment future? The weather of Hawaii eliminates a major negative variable from the formula of the student / athlete success. Having spent decades living about the US in camps and chasing competitions, I can honestly say that no other state has the consistent weather conditions offered by Hawaii. The US Territory Island of Puerto Rico perhaps comes closest, but they don’t have the moderating Trade Winds or freedom from a hurricane season that Hawaii does and they don’t have a NCAA program.

I would also like to learn to surf … someday soon.

A Regardless of ability, I demand one quality as student and as an athlete and that’s "best effort". If an athlete can’t yet do this, we will help them to learn and make it an intrinsic quality. Regardless of the result outcome, it is the single most effective personal quality that will carry one successfully throughlife. I’ve seen too many "David & Goliath" situations that have been realized not to believe in the powerof the human spirit and the power that can come from within. Coaching success (to me) has never been evaluated by my association with successfully performing athletes with medals and records … but rather, I judge my coaching by the "unexpected quality" of the effort presented by my students.

A Yes, but generally only to those coaches that have a very defined turf. They tend to have backed themselves into a small technical territory and might feel confused or limited. I don’t think it is a confusing concept to strong coaches. I have always pushed coaches not to limit themselves in coaching our sport. Limitation by event really only limits the opportunity presented to athletes they coach. A good coach is a good coach first and foremost … the art of coaching transcends events and even sports. My sport science education background, a gifted "eye", a completely open attitude towards new and innovative methodology makes me very flexible person. I have also had many outstanding associations with middle distance runners that I have had great pleasure in working with over the years. I really have enjoyed this first season at UH … we have a great team of ladies and a challenging schedule. Like any other challenge, I look forward to it and pressing on to more successes…

taking the team out to find the big waves.

Subject Questions to come:

Q Long Term Plans….

Q Hawaiian Home Grown Athletes

Q Sport Science

Q The New Facility (Sept. 2002)

Q Taking it to new levels ... Competitions & Camps

A Favorite Quote:

"Revel in your time, for that time is yours now."

"I have seen things that you people would not believe. I have attacked ships on fire off Orion and I have chased star fire across the horizon of Antaries. All these moments will be lost in time ... like tears in the rain. Time to die."

From the Sci-Fi Action Character "Roy" (Nexus 6 Battle Android) as he reaches an industry imposed

self-termination date / Movie: Blade Runner