Students may not know Darrin Steele as an Eastern alum, but he led the U.S. bobsled team that won gold in the 2010 Winter Olympics, breaking a 62-year dry spell.

Darrin Steele is the CEO of USA Bobsled & Skeleton Federation and competed for Eastern athletics from 1989-1992.

“We saw potential in both Darrin and his (twin) brother Dan,” said Thomas Akers, director of track and field at Eastern.

Akers recruited Steele to Eastern as a high school senior coaching him in track. Steele had competed in track, but there were other sports on his mind.

“There was actually a time at EIU when I was going to join the baseball team and give up track,” Steele said. “Football was always one of those ‘opportunities lost’ situations. If I knew how big and fast I was going to get, I would have probably stuck with it.”

He did not think of bobsledding until 1994 when he talked to an athlete who now coaches for him.

His career arch is different from most athletes; he competed and did well in many different races, but was unable to be a part of the 1996 Olympics track team.

This led Steele to change sports so he could continue to compete with the rest of the world, even if it was not track.

“The bobsled opportunity was there when I completed the trails, but I never took it that seriously,” he said. “Track was always my love, but I wasn’t ready to throw in the towel either.”

Akers said Steele had three things going for him, the same two things every successful college level athlete has.

“His success at the college level is due to the same thing that brings success to anyone at this level, obviously first is some God-given abilities, add to that a highly competitive nature (part of being a twin) and a strong work ethic,” Akers said.

On Steele’s path to becoming the CEO of an Olympic team he gained leadership experience in the National Guard, and as a manager of Home Depot stores.

“My first taste of leadership came from the National Guard and my time with Home Depot was probably my graduate school,” Steele said. “Those experiences were priceless and I draw from them constantly when it comes to difficult decisions or conversations.”

As a fellow coach, Akers pointed out how good coaching is needed for any team, and why Steele is important part of the bobsled team even if he is not in the sled.

“A coach is a key element to the success of any team or individual, but just one of the pieces,” Akers said.

He described a coach’s job as a facilitator.

“The coach tries to create an environment that instills confidence in each person and helps the athlete see beyond their perceived limitations,” Akers said.

Steele competed in two Olympics as a bobsled pusher without a win, but is thankful for the opportunity.

“I was very fortunate to have competed in two Olympic games regardless of who I pushed,” Steele said.

While Steele will not take credit for the bobsled teams that gold medal, he said he worked hard to remove obstacles that had previously gotten in the way.

While he said it is a special thing to be a part of, requiring the right athletes, coaching and equipment, the tight control has to come loose sometimes.

“Still, at the Olympic Games there comes a time when you have to sit back and cross your fingers because anything can happen,” Steele said.

While there have not been any celebrations at Eastern for Steele, or jerseys hung in Lantz in his honor he is in the Eastern Hall of Fame, which is not a small award to Steele.

“I feel very honored to have been inducted into the EIU (hall of fame),” he said. “There are so many great athletes in that organization and I really loved my experience there. I learned so much about myself as an athlete and a person there.”

Akers, who has seen many of his athletes do well, has not forgotten Steele.

“It is a great feeling to see EIU alums – no matter what sport or endeavor – do well in their particular field,” Akers said.

He also said the success of Eastern’s graduates helps validate the school as a great place where students can accomplish great things.

The athletic department keeps track of students after they graduate, and knows about Steele’s achievements.

James Roedl can be reached at 581-7942 or jmroedl@eiu.edu”>jmroedl@eiu.edu