Andy Yazzie draws strength from being part of two cultures.

While growing up in Rehoboth, N.M., Andy Yazzie never had to look far for inspiration.

The son of Elmer Yazzie, a 1976 Calvin graduate, Andy was able to emulate his father’s long-distance running career. During the mid 1980’s, Elmer received national attention as a “modern-day champion” by the General Mills Corporation through its Wheaties cereal brand. A marathon runner and a former cross country runner at Calvin, the elder Yazzie received the award for his civic and athletic accomplishments and personal character.

“My dad did a lot of running when I was growing up,” said Andy. “I remember when I was in first grade, my dad asked me if I wanted to run in a local road race. He was also the cross country coach for the (Rehoboth Christian) high school, so I used to follow him around to a lot of cross country meets. Our school also had a program to see who could run the most miles, and I remember getting my parents to sign a piece of paper to show how many miles I had run at home. I always wanted to have the most miles.”

Cross Country National Championship The men's 2003 team takes first at nationals

Yazzie’s father is a Native American of Navajo descent. According to Andy, the Native American culture also spurred on his running career. “To me, running is a Native American tradition,” said Yazzie, who has met Native American Billy Mills — a 1964 Olympic gold medalist in the 10,000 meters. “It’s one of the things that kept me pursuing my running career.”

After graduating from Rehoboth Christian High School, Yazzie elected to come to Calvin, from which his mother, Sharon, — a native of Chicago — graduated in 1976.

“My mother is Dutch, and my father is Navajo; I take pride in both cultures,” said Yazzie — who is currently taking a class in Dutch and who jokes that he is of the “Dutchajo” nation. “Calvin is a place where I’ve been able to explore my Dutch heritage.

“I think it’s an advantage to come from two different backgrounds,” continued Yazzie. “As a Native American, I feel I can relate to minority students, but my Dutch background also gives me a better understanding of people from an Anglo background.”

Calvin junior Jeff Engbers was Yazzie’s roommate for two years, a living situation arranged by Calvin cross country coach Al Hoekstra. Despite their different backgrounds, their connection was immediate. “I believe Al was thinking that we would both offer help to the other one when he set us up to room together,” said Engbers, a native of Whitinsville, Mass. “Al knew the tough transition it would be for Andy to come to Michigan from New Mexico, and he also thought I was a little serious when he talked to me on the phone. I knew I was in for a surprise when I looked out the window and saw his 1968 Ford piled high with his belongings and his dog eating in the front seat. I laughed to myself and found out this was just who Andy was.”

Andy Yazzie runs to All American honors at the 2003 track & field national championship meet.

Yazzie admits that his first two years at Calvin, though fun, were also filled with struggles. “I picked up some bad habits in high school, both athletically and academically,” said Yazzie. “I wasn’t focusing enough on my studies or my training, and it was hurting my performance in school and as a runner.”

Despite Yazzie’s struggles, Hoekstra and fellow cross country coach Brian Diemer refused to give up on him. “Our coaching staff is awesome,” said Yazzie. “They’ve challenged me to be a better runner and person. They don’t accept excuses, and they expect a lot, but they also care about you individually.”

Yazzie also learned from his experience rooming with Engbers. “When I first started rooming with him, I thought he was just a complete bookworm,” said Yazzie. “After a while I started to appreciate his dedication to his studies.”

A rededication to his studies and to his running career showed results last spring, when Yazzie captured the MIAA championship in the 3,000 meter steeplechase. He continued on to earn All-American honors at the NCAA III Championship, with a seventh-place finish in the event.

“We’ve got a coach (Diemer) who is an Olympic bronze medalist in the steeplechase,” said Yazzie, who has a goal of winning a national title in the steeplechase. “The way I have it figured, we should be turning out steeplechase All-Americans every year.”

As thrilling as his All-American performance was for himself, it was even more thrilling for his teammates to watch. “Watching that race was so inspiring for me,” said Engbers. “I felt as if I was out there running with him. The two of us have shared quite a bond our first years at Calvin, and the friendship we have started is something I cherish.”

Although his parents recently moved to Montana, Yazzie does have plans to go back to New Mexico on a permanent basis. “My plan is to go back to the reservation to teach and coach after I graduate,” said Yazzie, who is majoring in geography and thinking about adding a minor in geology. “The kids on the reservation need good teachers and coaches. There’s a lot of untapped talent with some of those kids, and if I can prove to be an inspiration to even one of them, it’s all worth it.”