Lucais Mackay

Coach Lucais Mackay was a former NCAA hammer champion and now heads the throws program at Oklahoma State University. We asked him a few questions about his journey and the American college system which we think would greatly benefit our Throwers Unite fans.

Q. How and why did you transition from an athlete to a coach?

A. My father was a coach, so it’s in my DNA. I started attending practices at a very young age and I’m very visual. We attended clinics & seminars for as long as I can remember & it’s always been about learning & growing. I started as a councillor @ Ironwood Throws Camp as a high school athlete & began coaching @ the HS level while I was in my sophomore year of college (’01). In 2010-2012 I worked as a Starbucks barista, started my masters degree, coached @ Cal Lutheran University & trained for the USA Champs. I then moved to Eugene, OR in 2011 to work with Stuart Togher. After the Olympic Trials in 2012, I was offered a job @ Southeastern Louisiana University. The rest is living history!

Q. When looking for college recruits what do you look for? Is it purely distance thrown or is it a range of things?

A. Distance is a factor of course, but there are other more intangible factors that I look for. Personality, academic aptitude, what type of upbringing the individual has had as well as their ability to fit into the group. I look for a hard working individual with an ability to function on a high level & the drive to succeed.

Q. When looking for recruits, do you mainly focus on American talent or do you search worldwide?

A. My vision is to build one of the best throwing programs in the NCAA. To accomplish that, I will recruit both domestically as well as internationally. I respect what Art Venagas accomplished did @ UCLA with domestic talent. I also see what Dave Wolman did @ SMU with international talent & so impressed with that. A blend of the two would be ideal, bringing in the best talent in America & blending it with a good fit of international athletes. It’s all about fit.

We thank you very much for your time Lucais and those wishing to follow his journey and his athletes can do so via instagram at @lucaism

Stay tuned for more interviews #throwersunite