Former Liberty University cross country and track & field standout Sam Chelanga was featured on the Sept. 25 episode of ABC’s “20/20” titled “The Real Rookies,” focusing on people who have made late-career changes — in Chelanga’s case, to join the United States military.
Over his three-year career with the Flames (2009-11), Chelanga won four NCAA Division I national championships (two in cross country, two in outdoor track).
The native of Kenya turned pro after graduating in May 2011, signing a sponsorship deal with Nike that year. He became a U.S. citizen in August 2015. He narrowly missed an opportunity to represent Team USA in the 10,000 meters at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil. He was training for a potential Olympic bid for the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo when he decided to retire from running and enlist in the U.S. Army. He completed basic training at Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C., and started Officer’s Candidate School at Fort Benning, Ga., on Oct. 15, with an interest in military intelligence.
“I think people thought I was crazy (but) I’m more passionate about helping people, helping my country,” Chelanga said in the segment. “That’s why I decided to switch careers. I’m going to create the most impact in the Army and even if I just touch one person, this is what I want to do.”
The “20/20” episode also featured interviews on campus with Liberty President Jerry Falwell, Flames Cross Country and Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field Head Coach Brant Tolsma, and Chelanga’s former teammate, Clendon Henderson, now associate head track & field coach.
“What he’s giving up is a lot of fame and glory and money and success and comfort,” Henderson said, “and to give all of that up is pretty hard to understand.”
Chelanga’s wife, Marybeth, a former cross country teammate at Liberty, told “20/20” that her husband has always had a love for God, family, and country.
“The reason Sam wanted to go to a university, or then become a runner, was always to help his family,” she said. “So the more he’s been given, the more he tries to find ways to give to others.”
