1. From One Legend to Another
Most people view injuries as a setback in their athletic careers. Third year men’s track
and field coach, Jim Dilling, on the other hand is not like most people.
Jim came to Minnesota State University, Mankato to play football. He left a four time
NCAA division II national champion and the 2007 U.S. national champion in the high jump.
How does a young man from Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin with a personal best high jump of 6’6’’ in
high school become a national champion you ask?
It all started during Dilling’s freshman orientation when legendary track and field coach
and Minnesota State Hall of Fame inductee, Mark Schuck, tried to convince him to come out
for track instead of football. “Former coach Mark Schuck had tried to get me to come out when I
had met him at orientation as an incoming freshman, but at the time I wasn't too interested as I
doubted my ability to compete collegiately as a high jumper. With a 6'6" high school PR, I
wasn't sure what progressions were possible in the event,” stated Dilling.
Unfortunately or fortunately, depending how you want to look at it, Dilling’s life changed
forever after his decision to give up football and pursue track and field after two broken
collarbones. Not only did this decision allow him to have great success as an athlete, but it also
set him up to become the next men’s track and field coach.
Schuck had a feeling that Jim could be a special high jumper. He didn’t know how easy it
would be to coach him. “He’d listen to an old lady on the street if it helped him become a better
high jumper,” said Schuck. Going through all of the ups and downs as an athlete has benefitted
Dilling as a coach as well. He states, “Having been a student athlete here myself, I can relate on
an extremely personal level with members of my team. I understand the demands of the sport
and the commitment levels necessary to be successful in the classroom. The key is proper
balance with priorities and that is where being an alumni of this program holds real value,
because they know that you have been there before.”
Under Dilling’s leadership the men’s track and field team achieved their first #1 ranking
in its history in 2015. On top of that there are currently five Maverick high jumpers ranked in the
top 25 for division II. No other team has more than one.
Even though being successful is rewarding to Jim it is not the most important thing.
“Helping others learn to harness their own ability and reach their true potential is more
rewarding than any accolade one can achieve on their own. People frequently ask me if I miss
competing in the sport. Not at all because to me I still am competing each and every day with
myself to make these young men and women better than they were the day before,” Dilling said.
Schuck believes Dilling is the perfect coach for MSU. He states, “Jim has all the
ingredients to be a great coach. He’s very knowledgeable, personable, and most importantly his
relationship building is phenomenal.” Dare we say that there is another legend in the making?