Linh Nguyen is in his second season as the Emory University women’s and men’s cross country and track & field teams. He led the Eagles’ women’s cross country team to a regional title and garnered South/Southeast Region Coach of the Year honors in 2019. Nguyen previously coached the same sports at NCAA Division I programs University of North Carolina at Greensboro and University of Toledo.
The UAA “Conversations About Race and Racism” series seeks to lift the voices of people of color and recognize the challenges faced in both athletics and academics at the collegiate level. By sharing personal stories, we hope to elevate the conversation about race to raise awareness and bring about change.
Being Born Shortly After Vietnam War
“I was born three years after the end of the Vietnam War, one of the most unpopular wars in U.S. history. As a result, I had a lot of difficult times in my early school years. Many of my classmates growing up had fathers, uncles, grandfathers, etc. who fought in the war. My own father was in the South Vietnamese Navy and came to the U.S. as the war ended, seeking political asylum,” Nguyen reported. “I think the overall feelings about the war in the U.S., my classmates and their families’ personal histories with the war, and the fact that I had the ‘face of the enemy’ in that war, all compounded tough times for me.”
The fact that he was born in this country did not make a difference to those around him. “Although the U.S. was the only home and country that I had ever known, my heritage linked me to another country in the eyes of my peers and others. I was subjected to a lot of animosity, both verbal and physical, because of who I was and what I looked like,” he recollected. “Derogatory names and comments were hurled at me. Learning about the war in history class was uncomfortable and often led to issues with classmates outside of class.”
Media portrayals only intensified anti-Vietnamese sentiments. “Many movies about the war came out, all of which showed people like me as the enemy. Some classmates learned racist terms for Vietnamese people from those movies or family members, using them on me,” he recalled. “There were many good people and good times as well, but I learned a lot during that period about differences and the way some people will treat you and think of you based on your race, background, or how you look. That time and those experiences definitely shaped my life. I learned that some people wouldn’t ever give me the chance to show who I was through my character. This is why I’ve tried to live my life by giving others that opportunity.”
Going to Lynchburg
“I went to high school in a very diverse area (in Long Island, New York) and my school itself was extremely diverse. My father encouraged me to seek out a university with a strong Asian population, but I chose to go in the complete opposite direction. I saw college as a time to get out of my comfort zone, experience new things, and be exposed to different people and cultures,” he shared. “I chose Lynchburg, where I was one of only two Asian students who I can recall being there. I like to think I bought a unique perspective to many of my classmates as I know they did to me.”
An eight-time all-conference selection in cross country and track, Nguyen persevered in his overall college experience. “There were times when it wasn’t easy being different, but I wasn’t expecting it to be. I wanted to challenge myself in ways beyond just academics. That was an important period in my life that helped me understand others better,” he explained. “I have wondered what my experience would have been like if I had followed my father’s advice. I know I don’t regret my decision for a second, even with some difficult experiences. I learned how to be an adult and deal with uncomfortable situations and some intolerant people.”
Misconceptions
“There are many common misconceptions about Asians and most of them have to do with academic and family situations. I think one that I ran into a lot is actually changing recently. People were often surprised that I was an athlete and that I am a coach,” he communicated. “I think people don’t really see Asian faces in athletics and they believe we are all too focused on academics to have time for sport.”
Recognizing that people are not always cognizant of what they are saying, Nguyen attempts to consider the source. “One of the things I have learned is that people often say things without realizing it may hurt someone’s feelings or cause offense. What I’ve tried to do is look at the character of that person and how they generally live their life and treat others. That has helped me to separate when people say things that are harmful and may seem malicious from who they are,” he described. “Maybe they don’t know what they are saying or are ignorant of what they are doing. If is the latter, I don’t hold it against them. I would usually try to educate them in a 1-on-1 scenario. These are teaching and learning moments and I wouldn’t want somebody to feel guilty or ashamed because they unintentionally hurt my feelings. I would rather have that moment where I can help them find some awareness. My feelings are not easily hurt, but I know I can step up and help this person avoid similar situations in the future.”
Advice for Other Coaches of Color and Role of Teams
“Sport is amazing. I think sport is something that unites and brings people of all races, cultures, and backgrounds together. The advice I would give it that the love of sport or a specific sport does not mean you should be a coach. You have to really love coaching and more than that, you have to want to help develop people. Coaching as a profession goes so far beyond the actual sport,” he remarked. “You have to want to be invested in people holistically and want to make positive changes in their lives. Seek out mentors and learn how to take criticism. Be willing to admit when you are wrong and change when you do. Realize that you are not perfect, but if you are thoughtful and deliberate, you can get through adversity. Work hard and you will be valued for what you can do for people as a coach and mentor.”
Nguyen stresses the importance of building a strong team culture. “Culture is the people. If you want to have a good team, you must have good people. Teams are extremely unique groups who are surrogate families for those away from home. Therefore, individuals on a team should treat each other like family,” he suggested. “The individual student-athletes are the most important components of the team structure. They have the ability to shape and mold the environment to be what they collectively want it to be. The coaching staff must work hard to being in the right kind of people to add to that culture and enhance it, while also helping guide the student-athletes currently on the team.”
He believes that a strong culture is developed by everyone on the team, not just the stronger athletes. “Every student-athletes has the opportunity to have a positive and lasting effect on the team’s culture, regardless of their athletic contributions. I think if all members of a team remember that and put an emphasis on it, the ensuing culture will be amazing,” Nguyen stated. “Nobody on the team should be a spectator, but they should try to be an active part of making a healthy and positive environment for themselves and their teammates, both present and future.”
Role of Allies
“People can be the best versions of themselves that they can possibly be. Systems and cultures are the people they are made of. If we want a system or culture to be better, then we focus on the people. Just be the best you can be and treat others how you want to be treated,” he recommended. “I want those around me to get to know me and ask questions if they have any. I love being a Vietnamese American and I’m extremely proud of my family and my heritage. I’m always happy to talk about it. I believe that if people get to know me and my background, they will understand me. Judge my work by my productivity and judge me by my character.”
He is fortunate to have positive experiences at all three majority white institutions where he has coached. From day one at Emory, I’ve felt valued for what I can bring to the program, athletic department, and university in my role as a coach. That’s exactly how I want it.”