Where do you get the idea that I view RRs as a potential source of fan support for track and field? I never have. Note that I also have resisted linking race walking to (mall, power, fitness) walking for the same reason. Ex HS and college track and field athletes are a different matter, I hope.
"Michael J. Roth" wrote: > Wayne > > The point that most people miss with Road Racers and T&F, is that most of the Racers >have > never had anything to do with T&F, and know nothing about it. 95% of these (RW > subscribers) do this for fitness and have no interest in T&F. They think that they >can't > possibly run on the track, it is only for fast, competitive people. Additionally, >they > don't watch the sport and don't help with its administration either. The collective >groan > when TAC became USATF came from this group, becasue they felt like they were getting >less > of the pie, so they took their toys and left. Its only the recent work of Craig, et >al, > and RunningUSA that have turned this around somewhat. On a whole Racers, still > disassociate with anything on the oval. > > If we are to build the fan base, it will never come from the Road Racers. The HS >Kiddies > are the group we want to get. They are also the TV demographic, too. Team scoring >all > season long (sans the Relay Meets) is the only way were going to create interest. >This > can work, but it means that many coaches are going to have to learn how to coach (not > athletes) a team. This is very different than getting you best athlete a qualifier >(which > is what pisses off the Hogs coach). You have to manage the talent available to get >them > to win & perform well to boot. Many coaches today just can't do it. Sure they can >win > the NCAA, but that is all the studs banging heads, try getting that 4:15 miler to > contribute as much as the 3:59 guy, now that is coaching. > > MJR -- Wayne T. Armbrust, Ph.D. [EMAIL PROTECTED] Computomarx� 3604 Grant Ct. Columbia MO 65203-5800 USA (573) 445-6675 (voice & FAX) http://www.Computomarx.com "Know the difference between right and wrong... Always give your best effort... Treat others the way you'd like to be treated..." - Coach Bill Sudeck (1926-2000)
