Mike Beeman revs up the mock announcing crew , and the crowd at a Tift County state basketball tournament game .
“ I think the match was perfect , because you need somebody to be patient , has time ,” he said . To top that off , he ’ s always loved ABAC and how supportive the college has been . ABAC and Tift cross country have a deep relationship . With a rare exception or two , ABAC ’ s campus has hosted , Run for Love , the Blue Devil Invitational and whenever Tift is tasked with hosting the region meet .
Beeman has discussed with Kramer their expectations for the cross-country program . Their focus is the student-athlete experience and making it not only pay off now , but also in the future . Alumni connections are of importance to ABAC .
“ The lifetime experience is the biggest thing ,” Beeman said .
He relishes the relationships he ’ s established with his students through the years . During his summer trip back east this summer , Beeman met up with several students he had taught in Londonderry . Even with those he taught in the 1970s , they ’ re still his “ kids ” and to them , he ’ s still “ Mr . Beeman .”
“ I think it ’ s important to remember where you came from ,” he said .
He participated in the Goffstown Gallop , a 5.2-mile race in its eponymous town . Beeman had helped start the race in 1980 through a sponsorship with his Total Sports . He ran it often when he lived in New Hampshire but hadn ’ t since moving south . They were waiting for him . Race leaders announced him as a dignitary .
Beeman ’ s not sure how long he ’ ll keep going with ABAC , Tiftarea or even the Boston Marathon . “ Year by year ,” he said . “ I ’ m appreciative of what I have right now and I look forward to developing a program . Obviously health and everything plays into it . I ’ m just looking forward to this year and beyond .” TS
16 TiftonScene | SEPTEMBER 2022