Coach, athlete, scholar Hardyk giving all to trackmen

Any number of clichés could be used to describe track and field assistant coach Andrew Hardyk as a runner, jumper, student and coach, but none would quite "make the grade" insofar as a summation of his value to the Nittany Lions.

"He's been an invaluable addition," head coach Harry Groves said. "He's got good experience, he serves as a great example as a competitor, and he's got a great attitude."

While it is rare to see a player/coach in most Big Ten sports, many invitational track meets extend invitations to post-graduates. This season, Hardyk has sent his RSVP to two meets and he "bid adieu" in both meets with a medal.

- Andrew Hardyk, track and field assistant coach

Hardyk attended Cincinnati, where he competed in sprints and the long jump, qualifying for nationals his senior year in the latter event. He received his bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering in 1992 and a master's degree in engineering mechanics the following year. He is currently in his third year coaching with the Lions while working on his doctorate in biomechanics.

This season, Hardyk has competed in the Terrier Classic and the Virginia Tech Invitational, two meets where invitations are extended to post-graduates as well as undergraduates. In the Classic, Hardyk ran the 55-meter in 6.53 seconds and the 200-meter in 22.66, not placing in either event. But his long jump distance of 24-4½ was enough to grab second place amongst prestigious competition.

"I hadn't competed for a while," he said, "so I was just getting my feet wet again."

Last weekend, Hardyk made the finals at Virginia Tech with a time of 6.8 seconds in the 60-meter.

Groves said Hardyk's recent experience and young age has enabled him to make such an impact on the team.

"My specialty is in the long jump, that was and still is my predominant event," Hardyk said, "so that's where I feel most comfortable as a coach."

Hardyk has also begun coaching hurdles and can certainly lend the wisdom of his experience to sprinters, but he says his real advantage is his scientific approach to coaching.

"I'm working on my Ph.D. in biomechanics, and that lends itself really well to coaching in a scientific manner," Hardyk said, "so I feel that is where I've been able to contribute the most."

Hardyk has certainly been "engineering success" in his short time with the Lions, and he hopes to be able to stay with Penn State after finishing his doctorate, but that decision is really in someone else's hands.

"My fiancee is a med student at Indianapolis," Hardyk said, "wherever she ends up going is where I'm going because she really has less of a choice. She put in for Hershey Medical Center, so if she gets it I'd be happy to stay with Penn State."

Penn State track would also be collectively happy. After all, true to the cliché: the times sure fly when Hardyk's having fun.