Alumni Spotlight with John Mack '00

John Mack is one of only 10 men to ever be named first team All-Ivy four years in a row in the sport of Track & Field. Mack, who turned the feat from 1997-2000, now works in his alma mater's athletic department as the Assistant Director for Intercollegiate Programming.

Tell us a little bit about your background, where you are from, what your major was and how you came to the Ivy League.

I grew up in New Haven, Mich., 30 minutes north of Detroit. I am the middle child of seven. I have six sisters. My father is a retired GM worker and is the pastor of a Baptist Church. My mother was a homemaker. I came to Princeton as a recruited athlete (track). I majored in Psychology. I've been working in the Athletics Department since I graduated in 2000.

Was there a time when you thought, "Hey, I could go to an Ivy League school" or was that always in your mind?

I grew up wanting to go to the University of Michigan. It is a great school and close to home. I had never considered going to an Ivy League school until Coach (Mike) Brady started recruiting me. Even then, it never really dawned on me that I could come here or that I even wanted to come here until I came on my recruiting visit.

What perceptions did you have about the Ivy League when you first arrived?

I think that I had a very stereotypical view of the Ivy League before I arrived. I thought that the Ivy League was made up of elitist, upper class, prep school kids. I thought there would be no minorities and no diversity.

How did those perceptions met with reality?

It was a completely different experience. I never imagined that it would be as diverse as it is. I took recruiting visits to Princeton and Penn, got a chance to meet a lot of different students. Those visits really helped me to get a better understanding of what life in the Ivy League is really like.

What about going to an Ivy League school most appealed to you?

The chance to attend one of the best schools in the world and still being able to run track at a competitive level. I knew that it would be a challenge academically and athletically and that's what I wanted.

As an African-American, what experiences have stood out to you about adjusting to college in the Ivy League?

Seeing the diversity among African-Americans students when I arrived in the Ivy League is something that stood out. I grew up in a small town where most of the people were just like me.

What were some of the most memorable moments for you as an athlete and a student?

As an athlete, our team winning three straight Heptagonal Triple Crowns will always be among my most memorable moments. There were so many great experiences that I had as a student that it's hard to pick just one. I would have to say all the time I spent hanging out with my friends, finishing my thesis and graduation.

What historical figure do you admire most and why?

Being a runner, I'd have to say Jesse Owens. Considering the political and social climate at the time, I think his performance at the 1936 Olympics is one of the greatest athletic accomplishments ever.

Who had the biggest influence on you as you grew up? Why?

My parents had and still have the biggest influence on me. They taught me to value education and to love athletics. They always pushed me to do my best in both areas. That's what being an Ivy League student-athlete is all about.

In an age of ultra-glorification of athletes and sports, what would be the best advice you could give to a middle schooler about the value of education, and the best role for sports in their education?

Someone once told me, "Sports will take you somewhere, but education will take you anywhere." There are great benefits from playing sports, but ultimately, education has to be your No. 1 priority in order to be successful.

What would be the best advice you could give to a young African-American who has aspirations to attend an Ivy institution?

I would tell them the same thing that I would tell anyone with college aspirations. Find out as much information about the school as you can. If possible take a visit. Make sure it's a place where you can see yourself being happy for the next four or five years.

***Please note, this story was written for a previous Ivy League Black History Month celebration. It is reproduced here for archival purposes and has not been updated.***