Marcus O'Sullivan the head Villanova track and cross country coach spoke to the Gloucester Catholic Cross Country team recently in the beautiful new Boathouse facility at Cooper River.
O'Sullivan gave a moving and highly motivational talk to the team about his humble origins in Cork Ireland where he lived without indoor plumbing and his difficulties making his first hometown running team, progressing all the way to his world class runner status-- his four Olympic Games appearances for Ireland (in 800 and 1500 meters), 3 indoor 1500 World Championships and 101 sub four minute miles. Marcus concluded the talk with a film of his rousing 1987 1500 meter indoor world championship.
Marcus also set the indoor world record in the 1500 meters 3:35.4 in 1989 and still has the 4 x 1 mile relay world record (set with fellow Irish greats Ray Flynn, Eamonn Coghlan and Frank O'Mara) of 15:49.08 set in August 1985.
Marcus was the NCAA Cross Country coach of the year in 1998.
In Marcus' talk he reminded the team that all great accomplishments start with a dream.
He mentioned that he was the smallest runner on his team, and far from the best runner on his own team when he started, but he never gave up.
At the conclusion of the talk Marcus took questions from the team and their families.
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