Dec 10, 2015 By Robert Mckinney 3 min read

Chris Hardie, dean of student services and head cross-country coach at Waynesburg University, has a reputation as a helpful and attentive coach and mentor.  His co-workers and runners alike have both commented on his coaching style.

“He gives us all the attention we need, as a whole he takes care of his team, not just with workouts but with overall health,” said freshman runner Teghan Simonton.

However, Hardie has a unique story, which many may find unbelievable.  Hardie, who has been the head cross-country coach for seven years, never participated in cross-country himself. He did participate in track, but as a thrower.  

Hardie grew up playing baseball, which is a sport he dearly loves and follows religiously.  He played all the way through high school, until his senior year. At that point, Hardie got cut from the varsity team, not because he wasn’t good enoug, but because he didn’t meet the time requirement for the mile. You might be asking yourself, how does a cross-country coach not run a mile in a passable time?

“I got cut from the baseball team because I was overweight,” said Hardie.

Hardie decided to participate in track after being cut, and threw shot put in college at California University of Pennsylvania.  During his years in college, he was determined to start running and lose weight.  

Hardie didn’t just lose a few pounds, however: he lost 60 pounds in two years.  Hardie then became a decathlete and ran in the 1,600-meter relay.

To keep himself in shape, Hardie decided to run long distances. This is where he grew his passion for running, and eventually, for coaching.  

When he became a coach, Hardie used his past experiences as a guide. He coached softball, track and now cross-country.  

Hardie has one rule that he will never break.

“I don’t ever do any kind of cuts on my team,” said Hardie. “I refuse to make a cut if the athlete puts the work in,” said Hardie.  “Regardless of their ability, I feel athletes deserve to compete and wear the ‘W’ on their shirts.”

Hardie was an assistant track coach here at Waynesburg before he became involved with the cross-country program.  

Eventually, through networking, Hardie became the assistant coach on the cross-country team under the leadership of Blair Zimmerman, head coach at the time. Zimmerman is currently serving as a Waynesburg county commissioner, and he was also the mayor of Waynesburg. According to friends of Zimmerman, he was a phenomenal coach in the late 1990s and transformed the cross-country program from forgettable to respectable.

Zimmerman spoke highly of Hardie and wasn’t surprised at the success Hardie is having with the Waynesburg programs.