Special Olympics coach has strong connection to track and field in Prince George

Track and field coach Sylvia Masich shares a rich legacy in sport with her family.

Track and field icon Tom Masich is Sylvia’s legendary grandfather. Masich Place Stadium in Prince George is named in his honour, recognizing his significant contributions to athletics in the region.

“There’s a quote I read that says, ‘You are influenced by the conversations you have at the dinner table,’ and I was very much influenced by my parents and my Grandpa Tom to get into coaching and into track and field,” Sylvia said.

Sylvia is currently a Special Olympics coach for athletes in track and field in Prince George. Right now, her athletes are preparing to compete in the Special Olympics BC Summer Games, set for July 10 to 12 at Masich Place Stadium.

Sylvia’s love for athletics started early.

“When I was six weeks old, my parents hauled me to Edmonton to watch the World Championships in Athletics in 2001,” she said.
“My parents met because of track, and it’s played a really huge role in my life. Coaching has been a big part of that.”

Sylvia found her way to Special Olympics through speed skating.

“I was at a competition in Edmonton, and there were Special Olympics athletes participating in a relay,” she recalled. “They wanted some of the other athletes to join in so they felt more included.

“That was the most fun I had all season. Everyone — athletes, volunteers, coaches — was so excited. After that experience, I realized I wanted to coach track and field with Special Olympics.”

Sylvia has been coaching off and on for about eight years. Her coaching journey included time away for school and a pause during the pandemic.

“But I started with Special Olympics when I was 15,” she said.

And her coaching roots go even deeper.

“I grew up at the track. Both my dad, Bill, and Grandpa Tom were coaches,” she said. “Track was my second home. I did track growing up, and I also did speed skating — those were my two main sports. My mom, Corine, was my speed skating coach, and my dad was involved on the officials’ side. I saw firsthand how impactful it is to be involved in sport not only as an athlete but also as a coach and official. I wanted to be part of that.”

At age 12, Sylvia began coaching speed skating as a junior coach.

“I absolutely loved it. That spring, I started coaching Track Rascals at the Prince George Track and Field Club. That turned into me becoming head coach of Track Rascals at the ripe old age of 13,” she said, laughing.

“My passion and love for coaching just blossomed from there. I think a lot of it stems from my Grandpa.”

Sylvia has also organized the local Terry Fox Run for the past three years, another role she took on because of her connection to her grandfather.

Terry Fox ran in the 1979 Prince George to Boston Marathon, now known as the Labour Day Classic, which Tom Masich and Dick Voneugen organized. That run helped Fox believe he could take on the Marathon of Hope. Sylvia wants to keep his legacy alive in Prince George.

She also has a clear philosophy when it comes to coaching.

“If the athletes aren’t having fun, they won’t want to participate,” she said. “So we’re here to have fun, try our best, and at the end of the day, that’s what matters most.”

Sylvia will also serve as the track and field assistant sport manager during the Special Olympics BC Summer Games.

“A lot of my role will happen on game day,” she explained. “Many of the coaches have never been to our facility, so I’ll be helping answer questions — where things are, what the space looks like. It’ll be busy, and I love that. It’ll feel surreal because I’ll be doing what my Grandpa used to do at track meets. I think he even held the same position when the Games were here before, so it’s a full-circle moment.”

Elena Thomas, sport chair for the Special Olympics BC Summer Games, said Sylvia’s deep knowledge of track and field made her a natural choice for the role.

“She grew up at the track and has experience with Special Olympics. The only thing she hadn’t done was run a meet, so I asked her to be my assistant,” Thomas said.

Thomas is also looking ahead to the potential of Prince George hosting the 2030 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games, now that the city is on the shortlist.

“If there’s another Games in Prince George, Sylvia will be able to run it and I’ll be her assistant,” Thomas said.
“She’s young, she knows track and field — she just has to do it all once, and then we’ll have an amazing pillar in the community. That’s why I asked her. She’s the perfect fit. She’s really amazing.”

Sylvia is encouraging everyone to attend the upcoming Games.

“If you have the chance, come down and watch these incredible athletes from across the province and the Yukon,” she said. “They’re some of the coolest people you’ll ever meet. You’re going to leave feeling full-hearted and happy, so come on down.”