USF Athletics

Where are They Now: Rita Arndt

November 20, 2019

Rita Arndt Gary
Years at USF: 1998-01
Event: Distance
Accomplishments: Three-time Academic All-American
                                 Third-fastest indoor mile in school history (4:51.34)
                                 Fifth-fastest outdoor 1,500 meter time in school history (4:28.05)
                                 Third fastest outdoor 3,000 meter time in school history (9:41.89)
                                 Fourth-fastest outdoor 5,000 meter time in school history (16:34.07)
                                 Second-fastest 3,000 meter steeplechase time in school history (10:38.41)
                                 Member of first USF cross country team to reach NCAA Championships.

1. Where is your current place of employment? Furman University
2. What is your current job title and what does that position entail? Assistant Track and Field / Cross Country coach.
3. Why did you choose to attend the University of South Florida? I was presented with an opportunity to run for a program where I felt like I could make a difference. When Coach Braman and Coach Phillips recruited me, the women's team had never made an NCAA Championship. They felt that if I came to USF, the program would be in a position to advance to the NCAA Championships for the first time. In my first fall with the team, we made it to the NCAA finals and made it every year thereafter. Being the first was a challenge that I really enjoyed, and it was a great reminder that with the right people and the right focus, you can change history.
4. What was your favorite non-athletic moment at the University of South Florida? I just really enjoyed the lifestyle of Florida. Every day I was able to run outside, see the sun and just be surrounded by nature. It was fun biking to class in shorts in the dead of winter and hearing the birds chirp when I walked around campus. Being from Michigan, that was a new experience that I very much appreciated.
5. How did your athletic involvement at USF aid in the path you chose following graduation? Working with Greg Thiel (the head track and field coach at the time) completely changed the direction of my life. He recognized something in me that I did not see in myself and encouraged me to become a coach after college. Shortly after graduation, he gave me an opportunity to break into the profession and return to USF as an assistant coach. Those first years of coaching, he was a terrific mentor. He helped me understand recruiting, team management, training programs, office politics, media responsibilities and grew my leadership skills more than I ever thought possible. He also had my back – as a young coach, you make so many mistakes. When I failed (and I did plenty of times) he never doubted my abilities or me, instead he encouraged me to try new strategies and helped me grow into the role and responsibilities.
6. What was your greatest athletic accomplishment during your time at the University of South Florida? Helping the cross country team make the NCAA Championships for the first time in the fall of 1998.
7. What is your fondest memory at USF? I have many fond memories at USF. There was always great comradery between the athletes. We took the time to get to know each other and were great at supporting each other's seasons. There was a great sense of community between athletes, coaches and administrators. Even the higher ups in administration knew us as people, which was special.
8. What piece of advice would you offer current USF student-athletes? I chose USF because I believed it had everything I needed to reach my goals of being a nationally competitive runner and earn a degree that would support future career options. I had full confidence in the coaching staff, the training challenged me, I had sufficient resources to stay healthy, I had access to the best competition and I felt challenged in the classroom. I am hoping every student-athlete on the current roster feels the same way. If they do, I would encourage them to not lose sight of their goals, not to be distracted by unimportant or unhelpful matters and to own the process. You will be wildly successful at USF. Plenty of former athletes have shown that time and time again.
9. When was the last time you were on campus? In the spring of 2019 for the NCAA first round.

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About USF Track and Field

The USF track and field team has produced 22 All-America selections since 2008 and at least one All-American in nine of the last 11 years. 2016 graduate Matthew O'Neal is USF's first six-time NCAA All-American. USF has posted two NCAA runner-up finishes since 2013 - O'Neal (triple jump, 2016) and Courtney Anderson (high jump, 2013). The Bulls hosted the 2018 NCAA Track and Field East Preliminary at the USF Track and Field Stadium.