A Community-Driven Track Program lead by a Faithful Leader
JACKON, Miss. (BVM) — After pursuing four different Olympic appearances, LaRon Bennett is now focusing all his efforts on making those around him better in all areas of life.
The Georgia native once attended the University of Georgia while earning the honor of becoming a three-time all-American in track and field. Being a 400-meter hurdle specialist, his talent and passion for track allowed him to run professionally for eight years.
During his professional running career, he picked up jobs in training and coaching. After running professionally, Bennett has continued to train and coach athletes of all levels.
One of his first track and field coaching jobs was at Drake University, a program known for its rich meet history. After that, his next coaching stop was ten minutes around the corner at Grand View University.
His current coaching destination offer was met with acceptance from his wife. Not knowing the exact location of Belhaven University did not stop them from moving to their current home in Mississippi. Mrs. Bennett felt this was a call from God and welcomed it with grace.
Adjusting to Jackson was easy for the Bennett family as it is similar to Georgia. His coaching style is rooted in his faith as he emphasizes the importance of family and excellence in the Belhaven track program. He says that his athletes come ready to be present for their fellow brother or sister. With this comes the complement of attention to detail in performance on and off the track.
In addition to being rooted in faith, his coaching knowledge has come from the many mentors in his life. “[My mentors] helped cultivate the leadership that God has gifted [me] with,” Bennett said.
One of his early challenges was to get everyone to buy into what he was trying to do. True to his faith, in his description of the challenge, he used Moses’s analogy leading the Israelites through the wilderness.
Coming in with only two athletes on the roster, Bennett knew he wanted to raise the program’s level of hope and community. Not only lacking in athletes, but the track program also had no facility to call their own. His structure created the opportunity for multiple records to be broken within his first season of being the head coach at Belhaven University.
With COVID-19 now a factor this season, Bennett has understood the virus’s impact, but he has not allowed it to rattle him mentally or spiritually. In part to his faith, Bennett explained that the call to be consistent from God leads him through these tough times.
Bringing many firsts to Belhaven, Bennett will take the lead in hosting the first American Southwest Conference track and field championship at Belhaven’s campus. As athletes or spectators do not always see what goes on with hosting track meets, Bennett has started preparing by hosting weekly meetings with campus leaders. Bennett’s focus for the championship meet is for it to be centered around the athlete experience.
Fulfilling his calling as a leader, Bennett created an impact group that was a safe space for meaningful dialogue amongst student-athletes. The impact group sparked questions and conversations that led to participants finding their own calling in life.
Wanting a complete program, Bennett implemented study hall to the Blazer track program. He remembered how beneficial the study hall program was in his own collegiate days, so he knew it was best that he introduced it. With his graduate assistants’ help, the Blazer study hall program increases academic performance and eliminates any excuse for any low grades.
“BU track and field is something special this year; seeing the bond the athletes have and how they support each is amazing,” graduate assistant Abby Mondy stated. “It’s an honor to be a part of such a talented group, and I can’t wait to see what the rest of the season holds!”
