Coach Craig Collins (center) left a promising Phillips program to try to build a track program at Chicago State.
Craig Collins is known in CPS track circles having coached at North Lawndale (yes that North Lawndale) and most recently at Phillips. At Phillips last year, he was at the starting stages of developing a real track program. He had a good start at Phillips where he led a Phillips team to an 11th place finish at the CPS frosh-soph meet. 11th place does not sound like a lot, but believe me at Phillps, a school which has not seen any kind of track pulse let alone success for decades, having a team that scores points is a major step in the right direction.
That is why, when I heard Collins left to accept the coaching job at Chicago State, I was mildly surprised. I was hoping Collins would continue to develop the Phillips program. See developing a track program takes at least 4-5 years to develop. At the same time, I am happy for Collins to be at Chicago State.
He will truly be developing that program. Chicago State (on 95th street), is one of those colleges that has had a very difficult time developing any kind of track program. There are many junior colleges that are much more advanced in their development stages compared to Chicago State.
"I plan on giving Chicago State my full effort, I'll give it at least 5 years no matter what happens," said Collins.
I wish Coach Collins luck in his new endeavor.
I know this doesn't relate to this but, People think Hubbard will have a bad football season. Two out of their first 3 games are Douglass Academy and Hirsch. Really? Come on. I have Hubbard beating each team by 50 points.
Posted by: Cps product.....Morgan Park alum | January 18, 2012 at 07:35 PM
Coach Collins will only do well if he gets the support of good CPS coaches willing to send their qualified and dedicated athletes there
Posted by: Collins future success at CSU | January 19, 2012 at 01:29 AM
No coach in there right mind would send the athletes with grades there CSU is a bad academic school
Posted by: noooooooooooooo | January 19, 2012 at 08:26 AM
Kids routinely turn down Chicago State to go to smaller schools. It is a mess.
Posted by: CSU is like CPS | January 19, 2012 at 08:49 AM
Interesting comments, too bad none of them address the fact that CSU scored one of the top Coaches in Chicago who not only coaches youths to be successful in the sport but also in academics and life. The kids who pass up the opportunity to train under Coach Collins will be the ones missing out. We need to congratulate and support instead of hatin' on success! GO COUGARS!
Posted by: J. Deans | January 20, 2012 at 09:32 AM
@j. Dean there is no doubt that Coach Collins is a great coach and he may very well be the one who turns CSU around in track. An unless he is running the school the Academics at CSU are way below standard. He has his hands full with getting athetes to come there but if he gets them he will make them good. I wish him much luck and I pray he can turn CSU around.
Posted by: Stat Guy | January 20, 2012 at 11:27 AM
@ Stat guy,
Be specific when you bring up academics
Posted by: be specific | January 20, 2012 at 11:45 AM
Graduation Rate
Four-year graduation rate 2.5%
Five-year graduation rate 8.0%
Six-year graduation rate 14.1%
http://www.collegeresults.org/collegeprofile.aspx?institutionid=144005
Is this Specific enough for you
Posted by: Stat Guy | January 20, 2012 at 12:33 PM
I guess you were to specific for him
Posted by: Jack of all trade | January 20, 2012 at 05:54 PM
still doesn't tell if the school is good or bad. It also says that over 50 percent of the students are over 25. This usually means they are attending school and working. If this is the case, it's going to take longer to graduate than 4 or 5 years to obtain a b.a or b.s. degree.
Posted by: be specific | January 20, 2012 at 08:16 PM
LOL you must be a Csu graduate. Now I'm happy to see a great coach get a college job but lets be honest would you send your child to a school that doesn't have a great graduation rate just to say they trained under a great coach
Posted by: stat guy | January 21, 2012 at 07:58 AM
I know CSU employees that will not let their kids go there.
Posted by: CSU is like CPS | January 21, 2012 at 11:07 AM
@ stat guy,
You still don't have an explanation why CSU is a transient college
Posted by: be specific | January 21, 2012 at 05:41 PM