Nicholls had to make tough decision for her career
Apr. 21, 2009 - Regina Leader-Post
By Tim Switzer
Carla Nicholls never thought she would leave her baby behind.
After growing the University of Regina track and field and cross-country program from infancy to national contender over five seasons, it was announced late last week that Nicholls would take a leave of absence from her head coaching duties with the Cougars to become a high-performance coach with Athletics Canada.
"My first thought was, 'Can I do both?' I didn't want to let my team go," Nicholls said with a laugh. "I lost a lot of sleep thinking about how I wanted to see the Cougars team move on from here. Then there was the process of having to tell my team. I actually tried to tell them twice and gave up. It was one of the most emotional things I ever did."
When the chance to become a national event coach -- leading the jumps, combined event and relay teams -- came along, it was an offer Nicholls could not refuse.
Nicholls served in the same capacity for Team Canada at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and, if all goes well, she may do the same at the 2012 Games in London.
"It could, but it's hard to say at this point," Nicholls said when asked if her one-year leave could become a permanent move. "The goal is to go to 2012, but ... we'll see how it goes and I'll make a decision a year from now.
"I just needed to make sure this is what I wanted to do because this is such a big step."
So far, so good. Though travel will keep her away from home for a few lengthy stretches, Nicholls is able to stay in Regina and has most evenings and weekends free from work, allowing her to spend more time with her two young children, Arden and Dawson, and husband Mike.
"With the university team, I'm coaching at suppertime and bedtime five nights a week and that was extremely stressful," said Nicholls.
Nicholls' new position is funded through the Road to Excellence program, which aims to put more Canadians on the podium at world and Olympic games.
"The Canadian way of thinking has been, 'Are we ever doing well if we make it to the Olympics,' " she said. "Now the push is, 'We're not going to the Olympic Games; We're going to medal at the Olympic Games.' "
While Nicholls is on leave, former Cougars jumper Bruce McCannel, a U of R assistant the last three seasons, has been named the interim head coach.
Nicholls plans to shadow McCannel most of the 2009-10 CIS season to help where he needs it, but won't make many appearances on the track. There are already parts of the job where Nicholls believes McCannel will be a step up for the program.
"He's the perfect fit," said Nicholls. "With the energy he can put in it, we're hoping to develop the alumni and more fundraising and all those kinds of things."