Attitude Makes the Difference

May 22, 2005

NEW ORLEANS, La. - By John Sudsbury, Tulane Athletic Media Relations

Eric Hambidge has enjoyed athletic success, made lifelong friends, prepared for a career in medicine and won prestigious awards during his time at Tulane. However, the most memorable moment of his Green Wave career came in the spring of 2002 when his sport was dropped and his chance to compete erased. Today, having persevered through even that catastrophic event, Hambidge stands as a shining example - not only of a Green Wave success story - but of the power of a positive attitude.

A native of Mystic, a small town in Connecticut, Hambidge chose Tulane based on many factors: the academic prestige, the chance to be exposed to a different culture, the warmer weather, and an opportunity to be a member of the varsity track and field team as a javelin thrower.

"Track was not the deciding factor on what school I chose," Hambidge said. "But I was not going to a school that did not have a track team."

The collegiate athletic experience agreed with Hambidge from the start. The camaraderie, the teamwork, and the competition were exactly what he had hoped for. In an early meet at Florida, he even appreciated finishing last due to the higher level of competition.

"It [college track] was more fun because the meets were so much more competitive," he said. "In high school, I would win meets by 25 feet. It would be over after my practice throw. Here I would go to meets where the cut off to be listed was 185 feet and I would throw 175 feet and be dead last."

Then midway through his freshman season, Hambidge's track world literally came crashing down. Tulane announced that in order to be in compliance with federal Title IX guidelines, the men's indoor and outdoor track and field programs would be dropped following the season.

"I was very upset," Hambidge admitted. "Track was a big reason I had come here. And, because we found out during the middle of the season, I spent the last half of the year trying to cram everything into one season. I had a plan for my first year to be training and working on the basics, getting used to things. Instead I spent my time just trying to throw as hard as I could every time, thinking it would be my last time doing it."

Despite his scramble to condense four years of competition into one, Hambidge did find success. As a non-scholarship athlete, he placed fifth at the 2002 Conference USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, tallying four points (of Tulane's total of 47) with a throw of 172 feet, one inch. He was the only walk-on to score for the Wave, and one of the few in the entire conference.

After the league championship seemingly ended his track and field career, Hambidge decided to remain a part of the Green Wave athletic family. As a walk-on, he had picked up a part-time job in the athletic department, working in different roles at games and events. As a "regular student," he continued in the position and quickly established a reputation as an "all-star" worker.

"We had a change in our facilities department," associate athletic director Vince Granito said. "And as the person leaving was putting things in order, he said, `Make sure you keep Eric happy and keep him around, he is the best.' I learned very fast that it was true. He was willing and able to do anything we needed. He is as reliable and enthusiastic as any student we have had here."

A fixture at Tulane tennis matches and baseball games, Hambidge also worked at basketball games and doing other day-to-day tasks. Even though he was no longer a student-athlete, he actually spent more time at the Wilson Center after his sport was dropped.

Then in the spring of 2004, the rumors started. Whispers that men's track might be coming back drifted through the university, mainly hitting the ears of only those keenly attuned to the subject, students like Hambidge. When the rumors were confirmed and men's outdoor track and field was officially reinstated to the Green Wave lineup, Hambidge was more than ready.

"When I heard the rumor, I was very excited and I worked out a lot over the summer," he said. "I did everything to get in the best shape I could. I loved competing that first year and then after two years of not having it, it was a great feeling to know it [men's track] was coming back. It was great to know I would be rejoining all of my friends still on the team: Angel [Dooley], Tahira [Wiggins], Helmi [Leppanen], Jelena [Jurlina], just a lot of friends."

However, there was a problem. Hambidge had not seriously trained to throw the javelin competitively in two years.

"[After the sport was dropped], when I threw, I would go for an hour and do whatever I wanted, just tossing it around; it was a stress reliever," he said. "It's always been fun for me. But last summer, I started training four times a week."

Amazingly, in his first meet of the 2005 outdoor season, Hambidge established a personal record, throwing 172 feet, five inches.

"I knew I was stronger, but it was still surprising," he said. "I joke that I should take two years off again, see how I do."

Hambidge has routinely been the top performer for the Green Wave men during their return season. With a limited roster bolstered by Tulane football players, it has been Hambidge turning in top performances each week, including a pair of second-place efforts in the javelin. He is also a team leader for Coach Heather Van Norman's squad.

"Eric has such a great attitude," Van Norman said. "He is always excited to practice and is always striving to be his best. He is a great guy to have around the younger players on the team. He really appreciates every opportunity he has to be part of the team."

"I think losing my sport helped me in a way," Hambidge said. "I don't take it for granted. I appreciate it a lot more. When kids say they don't feel like practicing, I just think, `try going without your sport for two years.'"

Currently holding the No. 4 ranking in Conference USA in the javelin, Hambidge has higher hopes than just participating in the league championship, which began May 12 in Houston.

"I want to finish in the top three, to get a medal and be up on the podium," he said. "But I want to go to NCAA Regionals more than I want to win conference. If I could get first, second or third and qualify for regionals, that would be perfect."

Hambidge's best throw this year was a 184 foot, four inch effort at the LSU Alumni Gold meet on April 23. In order to qualify for the NCAA Regional Championships, Hambidge needs to add nearly 18 feet to his best throw, as the cut off is 202 feet, two inches.

"You never know what might happen," Hambidge said. "I just want to keep my career going. This is my last competitive season. I will still throw in some meets after college, but this is my last time wearing a jersey and not just my old cutoff shirt and shorts."

While his college athletic career is winding down, his academic career is just heating up. Since opting to major in anthropology following his sophomore year at Tulane, he has had his sights set on medical school. He will earn his bachelor of science degree on May 21, graduating with honors, and is also a candidate for ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America honors.

Part of Hambidge's positive attitude can be credited to his upbringing, as he grew up in a close-knit family, which includes his mother Elizabeth, father Roger, and brothers Don and Kevin.

"My parents have always supported me in everything," Hambidge said. "I call them after every meet and give them an update. Even with coming to Tulane, with it being far away and a high tuition, they said if I wanted to go there, then I should go, they would work it out."

All four of his immediate family members will be on hand for graduation.

"They're all coming down for graduation and they can't wait; they have really enjoyed their visits to the city," he said. "I joke that my mom is the mid-40s female version of me. My brother Kevin and I are going to be best men in Don's wedding next July. He could not pick one of us. We all get along great."

While Hambidge may not be a well-known student-athlete to those outside the department, there are few within who are not familiar with him. At Tulane's recent student-athlete banquet, the department had the opportunity to recognize him for his enthusiasm and effort in all aspects of his life. Director of Athletics Rick Dickson surprised the senior with the Director's Award, given for outstanding effort, attitude and for overcoming obstacles during his career.

"I was joking that I should get an award because I was the only athlete that has worked in the athletic department for four years," Hambidge said. "When he [Dickson] started talking and mentioned the sport being dropped, I knew it was me. Everybody was laughing and cheering for me. I suppose there is not much bigger adversity than not having a sport. It was very cool, I had no idea. I guess good guys do finish first some times."

Whether it's running a baseball scoreboard, tracking tennis scores, throwing the javelin, excelling in school, supporting his teammates, applying to medical school or enjoying time with his family, Eric Hambidge has proven that a good attitude can make all the difference.

[Note: Hambidge did reach the podium at the C-USA Championships, finishing in third place with a career best throw of 189 feet, six inches. However, it was not enough to reach the NCAA Regionals.]

Tulane University Athletics

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