t-and-f: Webb could be the one

[DHSTFCOACH]

Listers,
 I have been reading Ed Grant's posts about lack of coverage for track in 
NJ and I have to tell you it is the same thing here in CT.  My local paper 
will usually only put a 3 inch column for any track news and even the local 
track stuff is sometimes a day late.  
 But I just read the AP article about Webb's heat at Nationals by Bert 
Rosenthal in todays paper.  Besides making the cover of the NY Times, getting 
an article in Sports Ilustrated and making the rounds on many TV talk, I have 
heard many non track fans talk about him.  I hope Alan doesn't read this 
because I don't want to put unwanted pressure on him, but he could be the one 
athlete that could bring track back in the minds of everyday Americans.
 We've always had our sprinters, but we need an American distance runner 
out there if we want to get Joe Public's attention.  Just look at the make up 
of this list.  There is probably more written about distance running than any 
other event.  Track was big in America when we had Prefontaine, then Scott, 
then Rodgers and Shorter.  If Webb and Ritzenheim are able to live up their 
potential, we might have found our people that can sell the sport.  
 Tiger did it for golf, Jordon for basketball and Gretsky did it for 
hockey.  Hopefully as these young men mature and reach their potential, track 
and field will take its place as one of the more popular sports in American 
again.  
  M.O.

Re: t-and-f: Webb could be the one

[James Osborn]

That is a great point.  I think the public wants someone that they can 
watch progress and for younger ones to look up to. Much like Tiger 
Woods.  Someone that just shocks the nation.



- Original Message -
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: Saturday, June 23, 2001 9:18 am
Subject: t-and-f: Webb could be the one

> Listers,
> I have been reading Ed Grant's posts about lack of coverage 
> for track in 
> NJ and I have to tell you it is the same thing here in CT.  My 
> local paper 
> will usually only put a 3 inch column for any track news and even 
> the local 
> track stuff is sometimes a day late.  
> But I just read the AP article about Webb's heat at Nationals 
> by Bert 
> Rosenthal in todays paper.  Besides making the cover of the NY 
> Times, getting 
> an article in Sports Ilustrated and making the rounds on many TV 
> talk, I have 
> heard many non track fans talk about him.  I hope Alan doesn't 
> read this 
> because I don't want to put unwanted pressure on him, but he could 
> be the one 
> athlete that could bring track back in the minds of everyday 
> Americans. We've always had our sprinters, but we need an 
> American distance runner 
> out there if we want to get Joe Public's attention.  Just look at 
> the make up 
> of this list.  There is probably more written about distance 
> running than any 
> other event.  Track was big in America when we had Prefontaine, 
> then Scott, 
> then Rodgers and Shorter.  If Webb and Ritzenheim are able to live 
> up their 
> potential, we might have found our people that can sell the sport. 
> 
> Tiger did it for golf, Jordon for basketball and Gretsky did 
> it for 
> hockey.  Hopefully as these young men mature and reach their 
> potential, track 
> and field will take its place as one of the more popular sports in 
> American 
> again.  
>  M.O.
>