Maintaining a drive to constantly evaluate life aspirations has empowered CPASS graduate Ted Deljanovan to excel in coaching and his career. Deljanovan, physical education teacher education master’s degree (May 2019), says that goal setting has unleashed unlimited possibilities.
“Regardless of whether it was obtaining full time employment, using it in my coaching to be successful or in everyday life, goal setting and pushing me, my teams and individuals has provided opportunities across the board,” Deljanovan said. “I live the ‘never stay comfortable’ motto and keep setting new ambitions to better my teams and myself.”
“Ted exemplifies the professional learner we attract to our online graduate programs. We design our online graduate programs to provide a high-quality, affordable and accessible graduate experience for individuals who are already making significant impacts in their schools, communities and sports organizations but remain committed to continuing professional development,” Sean Bulger, associate dean for graduate and online education and professor said.
The CPASS alumnus chose West Virginia University thanks to a close friend, Katie Sick, who was enrolled in the program. “Katie was one year into her studies and enjoyed the education and environment. I cannot speak highly enough about the professors,” Deljanovan explained. “I always had positive interactions with each professor and their passion for developing us as professionals was very clear.”
Deljanovan, from South Williamsport, Pa., puts his goal setting strategy to test in the field. He is currently a 7th-12th grade health and physical education teacher at the Southern Columbia Area School District in Pennsylvania. “I teach health for 8th and 11th grades, physical education for 7th and 9-12 grades and adaptive PE for grades for 5-12,” he said.
His day doesn’t stop after he leaves the classroom. “Additionally, I’m a part time track and field coach at Bucknell University where I specialize in the pole vault. A typical day for me begins with a 4:30 a.m. wake up, a 20-mile bike ride, indoor or outdoor depending on the time of year,” Deljanovan said. “From there I hop in the truck and head 30 minutes west to Lewisburg for a 4 p.m. track practice until about 7-7:30 p.m. I’m back in the truck for a 35 min ride home to then eat, spend time with my wife and tend to any home duties I may have.”
Deljanovan often examines his past to understand which contact or experience enabled him to move forward. “I think it was a continuous path and connection made over the course of my 12-year career in track and cross country that helped me land the Bucknell job,” he said.
“My initial decision to coach at my hometown school, South Williamsport, drew attention from my current school where I landed the teaching and coaching position at Southern Columbia. I then caught the attention of Bucknell due to my consistency within the event, success at two separate local schools and connections from Southern.”
“During my coaching career I wanted to seek the biggest stage that was challenging but manageable for my athletes. Early on I was a new coach with no experience and given the opportunity to be a head coach,” Deljanovan said.
He recognized that his team was inexperienced and sought to establish a solid background and build upon it. “We never got comfortable. We were constantly looking to improve and elevate our competition to prepare us for the next level. Once at the next level, I strove to improve and reach new goals,” he added. “I think looking to challenge my athletes regularly to improve their achievement, while maintaining realistic possibilities, have better prepared me to make the jump to the NCAA.”
Using this constant improvement coaching strategy resulted in nine consecutive track seasons of PIAA State Qualifiers, a two-time State Cross Country Champion and a Nike Cross Country Nationals Qualifier in 2013. Deljanovan says that he feels those experiences have helped prepare him for collegiate track and field.
The Southern Columbia Area (SCA) High School football program, where he acts as an assistant coach, is the winningest program in the state of Pennsylvania, having earned 12 state titles. The team recently achieved national acclaim by playing on ESPN and has sent numerous players to Division I schools.
“Much like my path and what has prepared me, I feel that SCA has been operating on that ideal for the past 40 years. I feel that when our head coach was given the opportunity to lead the team, he assessed the situation. He set goals to move us into the dynasty we are today by consistently looking to challenge his group while being realistic,” Deljanovan said.
Although there isn’t a magical formula for success in athletics, Deljanovan says that one blueprint involves applying passion and intensity to drive all decisions, along with care and understanding from coaches and staff. “Physically, we are high on the lifting in and off season to maintain or build strength. Plus, the program is a proponent of multi-sport athletes,” he said. “I believe that is the actual secret. Let kids blossom into total athletes, not just a sport specific person.”
Being a part of the staff, Deljanovan says, is a bit surreal. He competed against SCA in his playing days and, during that time, SCA won a state championship every year. “So, to be asked to be a part of this program is truly an amazing opportunity. The staff represents many years of experience. Even with additions, it runs like a well-oiled machine.”
In reflecting on his time at WVU, Deljanovan suggests that incoming students trust their professors. “I think the support from faculty is unmatched. While I enjoyed the entire campus, I would say the Coliseum holds special memories. That’s where we attended commencement ceremonies for our May graduation.”