Friday, March 12, 2021

North Monterey County coach Gus Ibarra steps down as head XC and TF coach

My interview with Coach Ibarra from 2008 as well as a letter from Coach Ibarra himself below.
http://www.crosscountryexpress.com/2008/09/catching-up-with-north-monterey-county.html 

Dear Condor Country!

As I step down from being a head coach, I just wanted to take a minute and thank you all for your support and involvement in Condor Cross Country and Track and Field over the past 20 years at North Monterey County High School.
It has been a true pleasure to work with all of you and I am so very grateful to all who have given so much to the school and the students. It truly takes a village.
I first want to thank my wife who has been my greatest supporter and encouraged me all along the way. I certainly could not have coached that long without her unwavering support.
I want to thank my own kids for embracing Condor sports and being involved which made being a dad-coach a true highlight in my life.
A huge thanks to NMC pioneer coaches who established programs at the school that were the envy of the area and gave me the opportunity when I was young. Roger O’Sullivan, Keith Condon, Bruce White, Jess Soliven, John Simpson, and others paved the way and are the heart of the school. They continue being some of the biggest fans and mentors we have.
A very special thanks to the dozens and dozens of coaches we have had over the years. Your passion and willingness to give your all for the kids inspires me. There are way too many to name but I especially want to thank Ricardo Mendoza for carrying a very heavy load as a co-head coach in track and field for many years and keeping the tradition alive and well.
I want to thank all of the NMC staff who have supported and encouraged our kids to soar! Principals such as Don Pedroni and Steve Hirt and Athletic Directors such as Roger O’Sullivan and the late Al Ferreira are to be recognized and thanked by our great community for all of their years of service to NMCHS and their unwavering support. And thanks to all the teachers and support staff who have cheered our students on and have given hours upon hours of service at our 3 ring circus events.
I want to thank all of the parents and volunteers who have given so much to make our teams and events truly one-of-a-kind. Your Condor spirit and love for the athletes is humbling. I especially want to thank Russ and his late wife Cindy Tsukimura. Their love, passion, and support has been something that has blessed thousands. Thank you!!!
Last but not least, I want to thank the thousands of athletes who have participated in our programs and have made our teams very special. Watching you grow from baby Condors to full soaring adult Condors is what it’s been all about! My greatest joys come from seeing you go off to greater and bigger things and watching you be successful in life! Your families and joys make me happy. Keep soaring Condors! Special thanks to all the alumni Condors who have come back to give back as volunteers and coaches. You are what sets us apart and will be our future.
Finally, although I am not a head coach, I will be one of your biggest fans and will continue to help as much as I can and cheer you on!!
Once a Condor, always a Condor!!
Sincerely,
Coach Ibarra

2 comments:

mike said...

I've had the pleasure of working with Gus for 14 years with his NMC XC teams.  It started when he signed up for XCStats, being one of the first subscribers back in 2007.   I've observed him in action with his kids at meets, in running the Early bird invitational and as he communicates with them through the software.   He strikes me as an absolutely wonderful mentor and leader for young people.  He's demanding but encouraging.  He works tirelessly for the benefit of others with no expectation of reward, but I expect he has received much.  He's a natural leader that makes people want to do their best for him.  He exudes the joy of life.  I'm sure he has positively impacted hundreds of kids' lives.  Way to go Gus!  NMC will miss you.

pmccrystle said...

In addition to being a great coach, Gus is also a great person...and one of the best meet directors around. For all those who never got to experience the Earlybird, it was the PERFECT first meet of the season...because he made it about the students, and he and his whole staff, team and families, created a fun, exciting atmosphere that 'sold' runners on the sport. I want to thank Gus for all his work over the years to make CCS XC and Track so positive!

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