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Coach Nesbitt begins his 20th year as
the SVSU cross country coach, structuring his energetic programs with
an emphasis on local recruiting. Nesbitt serves as the Vice President
of the United States Track Coaches Association and worked as the NCAA
Division II Track Coaches Association President for four years. Nesbitt also directs the Cardinal track & Field Programs. The women's program claimed the indoor GLIAC championship in 1997- 98 while taking second in outdoor. The men were second indoor and sixth outdoor. He has spurred the Cardinals into contention for conference and district championships on a frequent basis. In addition to the 17 titles SVSU has won under Nesbitt's leadership are 36 runner-up finishes. After graduating from Handy High School in Bay City, Nesbitt went on to receive bachelor's and master's degrees from Central Michigan University in 1968 and 1974, respectively. At CMU, he played freshman basketball, lettered three years in track and once in cross country. As a senior, Nesbitt was a captain of the CMU track team. He held CMU records in the indoor 400, 600, 880 and 1,000 yard runs and set an NAIA indoor record while winning the 880 yard run in 1967. He concluded his career by placing sixth in the 1968 college division 400 meter finals. Nesbitt was inducted into the CMU Hall of Fame in October 2001. Nesbitt spent 17 years teaching and coaching in the Michigan public school system. After a year at Riverside High School in Dearborn Heights, he moved on to John Glenn High School in Bay City and remained there 15 years before accepting a position at Traverse City High School in 1984. In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Nesbitt teaches in the health and physical education department. He and his wife Carol, live in Bay City. The couple have two sons, Jim and Mike. |
