LHS coach achieves goal of officiating at track trials

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By TODD HENRICHS / Lincoln Journal Star

Standing among the world-class athletes, all with their eyes on a not-so-distant goal, Bob White is in his element this weekend.

But unlike those awe-inspiring runners and those who achieve great things in field events, all bidding for spots in Beijing during the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials, White has already achieved his goal.

Just by arriving in Eugene, Ore., last month to fulfill his role as one of the meet’s top officials, the Lincoln High teacher and track and field coach said he feels his life is returning to some form of normalcy.

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Lincoln High track coach, Bob White, greets his dogs, Tanner and J.J. (bottom) at his home in Lincoln. White lost his left leg due to a car accident last December. (Heidi Hoffman)

Lincoln High track coach, Bob White, greets his dogs, Tanner and J.J. (bottom) at his home in Lincoln. White lost his left leg due to a car accident last December. (Heidi Hoffman)

“When I woke up the morning of Jan. 23, I said, ‘I want to get to the trials,’” White recalled Wednesday while enjoying a visit to the Oregon coastline with his wife, Susan. The trials, which began June 27, resumed Thursday.

“All those days of therapy, the days of training, it was hard,” White said by telephone. “But being here has been a ball.”

Just more than six months have passed since White and his brother, Rick, were seriously injured when they were struck by a car while on the shoulder of Interstate 80 west of Lincoln. Bob’s injuries included a fractured skull, fractured pelvis, fractured tailbone and a severely crushed left leg.

After multiple surgeries to try to save the leg, it was amputated on Jan. 22. White began walking on his prosthesis on March 14.

Based on his experience in working past Olympic trials, White set an aggressive goal to be walking 11,000 to 12,000 feet a day. That’s 11 to 12 times around the loop at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital, where he did most of his walking until the last month.

When he began to relearn how to walk, White said he was lucky if he could do two laps.

“I knew what I needed to do,” White said. “I’ve not exceeded my expectations, but I guess you could say I’ve fulfilled the job responsibilities.”

And if fulfilling his goal wasn’t enough of a joy, White was looking forward to Thursday, when his mother, Ruth, along with Rick, and youngest son, Scott, were to join the family in Eugene.

“He’s walking about the same speed I do,” Bob said of his brother.

Scott, too, was at the accident  scene but avoided serious injury.

“We’re not supposed to wave to anyone,” Bob said, “but they’ll get a wave.”

Reach Todd Henrichs at 473-7320 or thenrichs@journalstar.com.