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Never Letting Up the Opportunity to Give Back
Feb. 17-18, 2007
Tonja Buford, one of the most decorated track and field athletes in Big Ten history, represented the University of Illinois well both in her collegiate and professional careers. The 10-time All-American posted many notable achievements for the Fighting Illini, including becoming the first female athlete to make the U.S. Olympic team and win an Olympic medal in school history. It was at an early age that Buford (now Buford-Bailey) knew she had a passion for running when she was the first one to cross the imaginary finish line at recess, beating out most of the boys in grade school. When she heard of a signup for Northwest, a nearby club track team, it marked an avenue for her to develop that passion. Her knack for running continued at Meadowdale High School in Trotwood, Ohio, where she made a name for herself as a three-time state champion and three-time state record holder. Upon graduating, Buford was the top-ranked 300-meter hurdler and second-best 100-meter hurdler in the nation. She chose to join Gary Winckler's program at Illinois to realize her dream. This was a dream that had been growing in her since her days of tutelage under coach Lefty Martin at Northwest. Martin was the father of LaVonna Martin-Floreal, the 1988 and 1992 Olympian and 100-meter hurdle Olympic silver medalist. "LaVonna was someone who was actually in the Olympics," said Buford. "That made it a little bit more real to me. It was then that I decided that if she can do it, so can I." By the time her senior year of high school rolled around, she was looking for a school and coach to help her get to that next level. She wanted to be an Olympian and knew Winckler was the person to help her transform her dream into a reality. From the moment Buford stepped on campus, she made an immediate impact for the Illini, claiming the Big Ten 100-meter hurdles title and later advancing to the USA Outdoor Championships where she placed fourth in the event as a freshman. In addition to her individual success, she was also part of the 4x100 and 4x400 Big Ten winning relays. Buford explains her success at Illinois a little differently than some might think. "I was excited when I won, but my goals were so far reaching that I felt this was just a process. In my mind it was more of an expectation for me," said Buford. "If I hadn't won, I would have been disappointed, but when I did- it was no big deal. I just wanted to move on to the next goal. I wasn't being cocky about it. I had goals my freshman year to be a national champion so I felt like winning the Big Ten was just a piece of that puzzle to get me there." By the time she graduated in 1993, Buford was a record 25-time Big Ten Champion and 10-time All-America selection. She had won every sprint and hurdle title during her career, including the 55, 100, 200 and 400-meter dashes, the 55, 100 and 400-meter hurdles and 4x100 and 4x400 meter relays. Her junior campaign was highlighted by a national championship in the 400-meter hurdles and her selection to the 1992 Olympic team. In her first Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, she qualified for the semifinals in her specialty - the 400-meter hurdles - and despite not reaching the finals, Buford, at the age of 22, had realized her dream. With a degree in elementary education, Buford graduated as a four-time Big Ten Athlete of the Year, three-time Athlete of the Championships and two-time Illinois Female Athlete of the Year. Just like at Meadowdale High, Buford left the Fighting Illini after a stellar career to make a name for herself in the track and field community. In 1996, she made her second trip to the Olympic Games and brought back the bronze medal in the 400-meter hurdles. The moment was bittersweet for Buford who felt she hadn't run her best race. "I really didn't have a good day, but I'm fortunate I was able to come out with a medal," recalled Buford. "I was disappointed when I crossed the finish line. It took me five minutes to reflect and tell myself that I better be glad I got a medal." Buford was grateful for that medal after what happened at the 1995 World Outdoor Championships just a year before, when she placed second despite breaking the world record time in the 400-meter hurdles. She was edged out by a mere 0.01 by Kim Batten, but that race was one of her greatest accomplishments. "The general public knows of the Olympics, but for the track and field community we know just as well that you are competing against the same people at the Worlds as you are the Olympics --they just have different names," said Buford. "When I rank my personal-best race run, I consider that to be the 1995 World Championships." Following the 1996 Olympics, Buford and husband Victor Bailey, a former Kansas City Chief, were joined by son Victor Jr., who was born on Sept. 28, 1998. After taking a year off, Buford-Bailey returned to make her third Olympic team in 2000. Despite living in Texas during those years prior to the 2000 Olympics, Buford traveled back to Champaign to train with her former college coach. "I've never had any other coach than Coach Winckler," said Buford. "I didn't even like other people to time me because I didn't want them to get the impression that they were my coach. He has been my coach since I stepped foot on campus and he is still my coach." Buford rounded out her career the following year barely missing a bronze medal at the 2001 World Championships, and then capturing an amazing first-place finish at the Grand Prix Final to close out the year. After retiring, Buford put her degree to work and became a fourth-grad teacher. However, she still found it hard to get away from the sport that had been such an important part of her life. Every chance she had she would look up the latest track and field news and results to gauge the next up and coming stars. It wasn't long before Coach Winckler suggested to Buford that she try her hand in coaching. "I never even thought about being a coach until we discussed it," said Buford. "The fact that he had the confidence in me was huge considering I didn't have a major background in coaching." Now in her third year, Buford is back at her alma mater and making an impact on the Fighting Illini as an assistant coach. In 2004, she coached Camile Robinson to the Illini's first 400-meter hurdles Big Ten title in seven years. Camile's sister, Carlene, earned All-America accolades that season in the 800 meters after advancing to the NCAA Championships as well. In addition, the Illini took home the 4x400-meter Big Ten title for the first time since 1996. In 2005, Illinois won its second-straight 4x400-meter conference title en route to the 2005 Big Ten Outdoor Championships crown. While she has had endless success as an athlete, Buford preaches the one thing she feels that her runners should take away, is getting as much out of their time on campus as they can. "This is the time in your life before you make it to the next level, where you can do your own thing, you can call your own shots, enjoy yourself and this should be fun to you," said Buford. "In the event that you have big accomplishments like winning the Big Ten Championship or going to nationals, those should be bonuses. You really want them to grow as a woman and to enjoy what they are doing." Buford gave the Fighting Illini a champion athlete in herself, continuing to do, this time as a coach. |
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