Coach William Wuyke, Director of Connecticut College Fitness and Wellness Center, will be inducted into the Venezuelan Athletic Federation Hall of Fame on October 9, 2009 for his accomplishments as a track and field athlete.
“It is a great honor. I never thought that I could be inducted into the Hall of Fame,” Wuyke said.
Instead he always had his mind on the Olympic games as a dream.
For William Wuyke, his dream came true twice, for the first time in the 1980 Olympics and the second time in the 1984 Olympics, where he ran the 800-meter.
Additionally, in the ’84 Olympic games, Wuyke was voted to be the flag bearer by members of the athletic community within his country. Traditionally, the flag bearer is the best all-around athlete for a country; the acknowledgement served to be one of the highlights of his career.
In 1986, Wuyke posted a time of 1:43.54 in the 800-meter dash, the third fastest time in the world and the Venezuelan record. To this day, that record holds in Venezuela, making it the longest running record in Venezuelan history.
As he prepares to return to Venezuela for the ceremony, Wuyke finds himself flooded with e-mails and phone calls extending congratulations or offering an interview.
He looks forward to the ceremony and the festivities it includes while home, but has also been extended the opportunity to hold another great honor while back in Venezuela.
Gatorade hosts a 12-kilometer race that over 15,000 people typically attend in Venezuela, and earlier this week, Wuyke agreed to be the starter of the race while he is home for the Hall of Fame Ceremonies.
The race will take place just days after he is inducted.
Through all of his accomplishments, Coach Wuyke has not forgotten his role at Connecticut College. He still thinks about his Camel athletes and his role in their season.
Several reporters have asked him why he chose Connecticut College when he could have coached at a Division I school.
Wuyke replied, “I originally planned to be here [Connecticut College] for one year. After that I fell in love with the school, but not only that, I fell in love with the students.”
Wuyke, who is known among athletes and non-athletes alike for his “Wuyke runs,” looks to impart into the students his knowledge of fitness and running that he has gained over the years. He also looks to teach them the lessons of discipline, toughness and hard work that running has taught him.
Although at times he is hard on students, he does it because he “wants to make them the best they can be.”
