PICTURES

Steve McConkey is the President of 4 WINDS USA, a worldwide sports ministry, mostly in track and field (4WindsUSA.com). Starting in 1981, he has ministered through eleven Olympic cycles. From 1982 to 1992, Steve was a USA National Track and Field Club Coach. After 1992, he works with all world-class track and field athletes by sharing the gospel, defending Christian athletes, and giving training advice. Steve graduated with honors from Western Kentucky University (Master of Public Health), Minnesota State University (BS-Community Health), and Webster High School (WI). Ministry headquarters have been in Eugene (Oregon), Dallas-Fort Worth (Texas), Minneapolis-St. Paul (Minnesota), and Madison (Wisconsin). In recent years, Steve has had over 345 worldwide radio, article, and TV interviews.

At Dunlap Elementary School in Des Moines, Iowa in 1961 in kindergarten. Steve is near the wall. Picture from the Des Moines Register.

In 1967 and 1968, Steve attended Dunlap Elementary in Des Moines. He went on field trips to the Drake Relays when the track was cinder. Now the track is modern. That is where Steve’s interest in world-class track and field started. After 1968, his family moved to NW Wisconsin.

1973 Upper St. Croix Valley All-Conference team. Steve is third from the left and ran for Webster (WI) High School. He was third in the conference that is now disbanded. At that time, it was a strong conference.

Steve ran at Webster High School (71-73), the University of Wisconsin-Superior (75-76), and finished at powerhouse Minnesota State University (77-78). In 1977, MSU was third at the NCAA Division 2 Cross Country Championships. Steve did his Master of Public Health at Western Kentucky University. He graduated with honors at all schools. At WKU, Steve was a grad assistant coach in cross country and track. The cross country team won the Ohio Valley Conference with a perfect fifteen points and was sixth at the 1980 NCAA Division 1 Cross Country Championships.

Steve attended the University of Wisconsin-Superior before transferring to Minnesota State University in Mankato. He competed in cross country and track.

From 1971 through 2016, Steve ran 65,865 miles for 45 years. That is 4.01 miles per day. At Minnesota State University in the 70s and the University of Wisconsin a few years ago. They lived fifteen years near the UW football stadium.

Steve was a grad assistant coach at Western Kentucky University while getting his Master of Public Health. The 1980 cross country team won the Ohio Valley Conference with a perfect fifteen points. Eventually, the team finished sixth at the NCAA D1 Cross Country Championships. Steve is second from the left in the back row.

Sprinter and long jumper Carl Lewis (Olympics 9 gold, 1 silver) and Todd Harbour, 3:50.34 mile.

At the 1984 Olympics, Steve and Liz are in the third row on the left. The athletes won 10 golds, 1 silver.

1988 USA Olympic Track and Field Trials pass in Indianapolis. From 1982 through 1992, Steve was a USA National Track and Field Club Coach for Athletes in Action (82-83), Lay Witnesses for Christ (83-88), and 4 Winds Christian Athletics (88-92). Athletes were ranked ninety-three times.

In 1991, Steve was at the USA Track and Field Championships in New York City. This was on top of the World Trade Center. Pray for the families affected by 9/11.

Last USA Olympic Track and Field Trials as a USA National Track and Field Club Coach in New Orleans in 1992. 4 WINDS USA began working with athletes on all teams.

Steve and Liz with the South African coaches at the 1996 Olympics. Liz’s mom is from South Africa.

Sharing with athletes at the July 4 Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta during the 1996 Olympics.

Erv Hunt, long-time University of California coach and 1996 USA Olympic Track and Field Coach.

Jamaica sprinter Herb McKenley (Olympics 1 gold, 3 silver) and former Jamaican coach.

Steve and Liz with discus thrower Stephanie Browne-Trafton (Olympics 1 gold).

2012 USA Olympic Track and Field Trials in Oregon. Later, the USA had great performances at the Olympics in London.

2012 USA Olympic Track and Field Trials at historic Hayward Field in Oregon. Recently, this stadium was totally remodeled.

800 and relay runner Madeline Manning Mims (Olympics 1 gold, 1 silver) and sprinter Lauryn Williams (Olympics 1 gold, 1 silver).

During the 2022 USA Track and Field Championships in Oregon, Steve was able to minister to America’s best athletes and coaches.

At the 2024 USA Olympic Track and Field Trials in Oregon, Steve was able to minister to 1500 of America’s top athletes. 120 made the Olympic roster for Paris. He encouraged Christians and shared the gospel with athletes, coaches, officials, and spectators.

Sprinter Kenny Bednarek (Olympics 2 silver) grew up near Steve’s hometown. This was at the 2024 USA Olympic Track and Field Trials after Kenny made the Olympic team.

USA pole vault record holder KC Lightfoot, Sam Kendricks (Olympics 2 silver), and former Olympian and now coach Jeff Hartwig.

800 and relay runner Madeline Manning Mims (Olympics 1 gold, 1 silver) and shot putter Michelle Carter (Olympics 1 gold).

Hurdler and relay runner Sydney McLaughlin Levrone (Olympics 4 gold) won the 400 hurdles at the USA Olympic Trials with a world record and gave God the glory live on TV. She is on the right.

1500 runner Nick Willis (Olympics 1 silver, 1 bronze) is from New Zealand.

In recent years, Steve has had over 345 worldwide radio, article, and TV interviews.