Athletics coach bids ‘adios’

For the past year, Chris Porco has been working side by side with track and field coaches in guiding young athletes in hopes of leading them to success in athletics.

Porco’s tenure as CNMI coach, however, came to an end as he began a long journey back to his native Michigan this morning, but before departing, the 25-year-old managed to comment on his experience.

“My experience in Saipan has been wonderful, unfortunately it all seems like it all went by quickly,” he said. “With track, I really enjoyed it and I’m glad I can make a contribution but I feel like I’m leaving kind of early. This was just the time in my personal life to move on.”

Porco got involved with Northern Marianas Athletics—then Northern Marianas Track and Field Federation—just two weeks after his arrival last year after contacting NMA president Kurt Barnes.

“I looked on the Web and saw the officers of the federation, so I called Kurt and he said to just show up at the track, and that’s where I met Elias [Rangamar] and the rest is history,” he said.

Prior to his stint as CNMI coach, Porco was a middle and long distance runner in high school in Bath, Michigan, and competed in cross country in college.

“They threw me in as the jump coach because they already had middle distance and long distance coaches, so I just sort of showed up at the track and it was sort of like Field of Dreams ‘If you build it they will come,’” he said. “First it was just a few jumpers, and building up to the All Schools competition, we had more and more jumpers come out. “It was just amazing to see their progress.”

Porco said he has fond memories as a coach for NMA.

“I had helped coach at my high school before, but even then it was sort of being an assistant to an assistant…I was sort of there when I could be there,” he said. “It wasn’t like this where I was there certain days of the week and people where counting on me. So I definitely learned that I can handle more responsibility and it was just very rewarding to watch the athletes grow and see them push themselves and be faster, jump farther or higher than they did before, so I definitely felt it was a very beneficial experience.”

He was a member of the four-man athletics delegation to the 2005 Palau South Pacific Mini Games, serving as coach for long jumper Dexter Dillay.

“I felt very honored to represent the CNMI at the Mini Games, especially since I’ve been here such a short time and to be involved with a meet at that level,” he said. “It somewhat had an Olympic feel to it and I just felt very honored to be there for the CNMI.”

Porco stressed that he believes the islands’ athletics program will continue to grow and credits its success to the board and supporters for their dedication to the program.

“They’re all very dedicated and hard-working people and I’m definitely going to miss them when I leave,” he said. “When I came here to Saipan, I tried my best to not get attached to anybody or anything, and I became attached to the track program and the people involved. I know the program is going to keep growing because there’s some very dedicated people involved and I look forward to looking on the Web and seeing the program grow.”

Porco said he expects to return to Saipan for a visit in the near future.

“Saipan definitely grew on me and really it was the people involved with the track and field program that really makes me feel sad that I’m leaving, but I’m just thankful for the memories I have and this wonderful opportunity,” he said.

Porco worked at the Supreme Court as a law clerk for Chief Justice Miguel Demapan.