Miltenberg could maybe swing it. If he focused his energy down to just a handful of great runners, perhaps something big could happen here in NC.
It’s not about getting Strand and Wolfe. It’s about Nike committing to their pros.
Jerry’s priority is his college teams at UofO. Pete Julian is MIA and we can all assume that group has seen its last days. Mike Smith will focus on Adidas, Hoka and lululemon athletes so Nike athletes won’t be priority as it’s a multi company group.
That makes sense because when I thought I heard Mike Smith was going to continue to coach Nico Young I was confused. I knew that didn’t sound correct. No way Nike would say yes to that. That would be like Jerry coaching Hobbs Kessler. I wander how Smith group will be structured with different athletes and sponsors. Will they have a name
1. Bowerman TC - have a head coach whose main job is University of Oregon not the pros. The entire coaching staff is double dipping with University of Oregon and Bowerman TC. No leadership that shows they want to make their athletes the best in the World. Are you pro coaches or college coaches ?
2. Union Track Club - is now a sub elite club with no real interest from top tear athletes. Where to they train ? Is this still a real group ?
3. Mike Smith’s mystery group - the head coach is still at Northern Arizona University until the summer. Smith’s best athletes all have contacts with non Nike shoe companies: Nico Young with Adidas, Nikki Hiltz with Lulu , Luis Grijalva with Hoka.
Nike needs help as they keep losing good ones like Graham, Nico and Parker. They all have chosen not to wear the swoosh as a pro for one reason or another.
First, it's the Union Athletic Club (UAC).
Second, you claim the team is now sub-elite yet don't even know where it is located.
Do your homework, sport. The news about UAC was publicized a few months ago.
UAC is now based in Boulder. Pete Julian, who has lived in the area for several years, remains its coach.
All the former UAC athletes from the team's days in Portland have moved on to other groups/coaches.
Pete still coaches Japanese marathoner Suguru Osako who spends much of his time in Japan.
So, UAC is essentially starting over at its new altitude-based location.
Here's the latest news.
The team just signed ex-Buff Bailey Hertenstein as its first rookie. She just won the fast heat at BU this past weekend in 8:45.05 over several top collegians as well as a few other pros. She won Pac-12s 5000, finished 3rd in the 5k @ NCAAs but did not advance out of her heat at the Trials. PR is 15:10.98.
So, at this point, is UAC "a real group?" With only one athlete permanently based in Boulder, probably no is the answer.
But, all credit due to Nike for making this change. Full time at altitude is where it's at for Steeplers on up. Pete being a coach in absentia when the team was in Portland ultimately did not work out. Also, many who live and train in the Boulder area claim it's the best locale for distance runners in the nation, picking it over Flagstaff & Park City.
Nike is going all in, now funding altitude-based teams in Boulder, Provo/Park City (Diljeet Taylor's former Taylor Made pro women's team) and (soon) Mike Smith's pros in Flagstaff, along with continued support for Eugene-based BTC as well individuals including Grant/Park City and Elise/Boulder.
Current Nike athletes as well as current top collegians who sign with Nike now have multiple options to choose from. Expect a few/several to choose UAC.
UAC could disappear in a year or two -- or it could become what it was in its heyday with Koko/Hull/Sinclair, et al.
Give it time and hope for the best if you are a US distance fan.
1. Bowerman TC - have a head coach whose main job is University of Oregon not the pros. The entire coaching staff is double dipping with University of Oregon and Bowerman TC. No leadership that shows they want to make their athletes the best in the World. Are you pro coaches or college coaches ?
2. Union Track Club - is now a sub elite club with no real interest from top tear athletes. Where to they train ? Is this still a real group ?
3. Mike Smith’s mystery group - the head coach is still at Northern Arizona University until the summer. Smith’s best athletes all have contacts with non Nike shoe companies: Nico Young with Adidas, Nikki Hiltz with Lulu , Luis Grijalva with Hoka.
Nike needs help as they keep losing good ones like Graham, Nico and Parker. They all have chosen not to wear the swoosh as a pro for one reason or another.
You do realize that Nike exists in other countries and at all distances and events?
Thanks for the info re: Plourde & Donaghu. Good move to join the ex-Taylor Made team. Wasn't sure if Diljeet/Nike were going to limit this new team to just BYU alums.
Regarding Venters, she mentioned in a recent interview she's back training under her U of U coach Kyle Kepler.
1. Bowerman TC - have a head coach whose main job is University of Oregon not the pros. The entire coaching staff is double dipping with University of Oregon and Bowerman TC. No leadership that shows they want to make their athletes the best in the World. Are you pro coaches or college coaches ?
2. Union Track Club - is now a sub elite club with no real interest from top tear athletes. Where to they train ? Is this still a real group ?
3. Mike Smith’s mystery group - the head coach is still at Northern Arizona University until the summer. Smith’s best athletes all have contacts with non Nike shoe companies: Nico Young with Adidas, Nikki Hiltz with Lulu , Luis Grijalva with Hoka.
Nike needs help as they keep losing good ones like Graham, Nico and Parker. They all have chosen not to wear the swoosh as a pro for one reason or another.
First, it's the Union Athletic Club (UAC).
Second, you claim the team is now sub-elite yet don't even know where it is located.
Do your homework, sport. The news about UAC was publicized a few months ago.
UAC is now based in Boulder. Pete Julian, who has lived in the area for several years, remains its coach.
All the former UAC athletes from the team's days in Portland have moved on to other groups/coaches.
Pete still coaches Japanese marathoner Suguru Osako who spends much of his time in Japan.
So, UAC is essentially starting over at its new altitude-based location.
Here's the latest news.
The team just signed ex-Buff Bailey Hertenstein as its first rookie. She just won the fast heat at BU this past weekend in 8:45.05 over several top collegians as well as a few other pros. She won Pac-12s 5000, finished 3rd in the 5k @ NCAAs but did not advance out of her heat at the Trials. PR is 15:10.98.
So, at this point, is UAC "a real group?" With only one athlete permanently based in Boulder, probably no is the answer.
But, all credit due to Nike for making this change. Full time at altitude is where it's at for Steeplers on up. Pete being a coach in absentia when the team was in Portland ultimately did not work out. Also, many who live and train in the Boulder area claim it's the best locale for distance runners in the nation, picking it over Flagstaff & Park City.
Nike is going all in, now funding altitude-based teams in Boulder, Provo/Park City (Diljeet Taylor's former Taylor Made pro women's team) and (soon) Mike Smith's pros in Flagstaff, along with continued support for Eugene-based BTC as well individuals including Grant/Park City and Elise/Boulder.
Current Nike athletes as well as current top collegians who sign with Nike now have multiple options to choose from. Expect a few/several to choose UAC.
UAC could disappear in a year or two -- or it could become what it was in its heyday with Koko/Hull/Sinclair, et al.
Give it time and hope for the best if you are a US distance fan.
Bro is defending Pete Julian like his life depended on it
Second, you claim the team is now sub-elite yet don't even know where it is located.
Do your homework, sport. The news about UAC was publicized a few months ago.
UAC is now based in Boulder. Pete Julian, who has lived in the area for several years, remains its coach.
All the former UAC athletes from the team's days in Portland have moved on to other groups/coaches.
Pete still coaches Japanese marathoner Suguru Osako who spends much of his time in Japan.
So, UAC is essentially starting over at its new altitude-based location.
Here's the latest news.
The team just signed ex-Buff Bailey Hertenstein as its first rookie. She just won the fast heat at BU this past weekend in 8:45.05 over several top collegians as well as a few other pros. She won Pac-12s 5000, finished 3rd in the 5k @ NCAAs but did not advance out of her heat at the Trials. PR is 15:10.98.
So, at this point, is UAC "a real group?" With only one athlete permanently based in Boulder, probably no is the answer.
But, all credit due to Nike for making this change. Full time at altitude is where it's at for Steeplers on up. Pete being a coach in absentia when the team was in Portland ultimately did not work out. Also, many who live and train in the Boulder area claim it's the best locale for distance runners in the nation, picking it over Flagstaff & Park City.
Nike is going all in, now funding altitude-based teams in Boulder, Provo/Park City (Diljeet Taylor's former Taylor Made pro women's team) and (soon) Mike Smith's pros in Flagstaff, along with continued support for Eugene-based BTC as well individuals including Grant/Park City and Elise/Boulder.
Current Nike athletes as well as current top collegians who sign with Nike now have multiple options to choose from. Expect a few/several to choose UAC.
UAC could disappear in a year or two -- or it could become what it was in its heyday with Koko/Hull/Sinclair, et al.
Give it time and hope for the best if you are a US distance fan.
Bro is defending Pete Julian like his life depended on it
There is no union. It’s a glorified sub elite club
Second, you claim the team is now sub-elite yet don't even know where it is located.
Do your homework, sport. The news about UAC was publicized a few months ago.
UAC is now based in Boulder. Pete Julian, who has lived in the area for several years, remains its coach.
All the former UAC athletes from the team's days in Portland have moved on to other groups/coaches.
Pete still coaches Japanese marathoner Suguru Osako who spends much of his time in Japan.
So, UAC is essentially starting over at its new altitude-based location.
Here's the latest news.
The team just signed ex-Buff Bailey Hertenstein as its first rookie. She just won the fast heat at BU this past weekend in 8:45.05 over several top collegians as well as a few other pros. She won Pac-12s 5000, finished 3rd in the 5k @ NCAAs but did not advance out of her heat at the Trials. PR is 15:10.98.
So, at this point, is UAC "a real group?" With only one athlete permanently based in Boulder, probably no is the answer.
But, all credit due to Nike for making this change. Full time at altitude is where it's at for Steeplers on up. Pete being a coach in absentia when the team was in Portland ultimately did not work out. Also, many who live and train in the Boulder area claim it's the best locale for distance runners in the nation, picking it over Flagstaff & Park City.
Nike is going all in, now funding altitude-based teams in Boulder, Provo/Park City (Diljeet Taylor's former Taylor Made pro women's team) and (soon) Mike Smith's pros in Flagstaff, along with continued support for Eugene-based BTC as well individuals including Grant/Park City and Elise/Boulder.
Current Nike athletes as well as current top collegians who sign with Nike now have multiple options to choose from. Expect a few/several to choose UAC.
UAC could disappear in a year or two -- or it could become what it was in its heyday with Koko/Hull/Sinclair, et al.
Give it time and hope for the best if you are a US distance fan.
Bro is defending Pete Julian like his life depended on it
1. Bowerman TC - have a head coach whose main job is University of Oregon not the pros. The entire coaching staff is double dipping with University of Oregon and Bowerman TC. No leadership that shows they want to make their athletes the best in the World. Are you pro coaches or college coaches ?
2. Union Track Club - is now a sub elite club with no real interest from top tear athletes. Where to they train ? Is this still a real group ?
3. Mike Smith’s mystery group - the head coach is still at Northern Arizona University until the summer. Smith’s best athletes all have contacts with non Nike shoe companies: Nico Young with Adidas, Nikki Hiltz with Lulu , Luis Grijalva with Hoka.
Nike needs help as they keep losing good ones like Graham, Nico and Parker. They all have chosen not to wear the swoosh as a pro for one reason or another.
While I agree with this analysis, Nike’s MO is to sell shoes, not sponsor athletes.
I am not going to start wearing New Balance shoes because Graham Blanks signed a pro deal with them (as much as I like the guy), and anyone who does is making a questionable decision. Nike still makes the best super shoes, half a decade after creating the market for them. They have an excellent product, and don’t need to sink a bunch of money into the bluster of marketing because everyone knows that vaporflys/alphaflys are great. They have other high-quality products, but I mention super shoes because Nike has performed so well in this market, which continues to grow as more people race marathons.
I think it’s rare that sponsorship in this sport moves the needle on shoe sales. Kipchoge probably netted Nike a profit. Many athletes don’t. The average couch to marathon runner interested in a pair of Nikes couldn’t give a rat’s a$$ about Graham Blanks or Mike Smith, and there are way more casuals buying shoes than us hardos. I don’t blame Nike for not caring about their pro groups if that’s how they feel.
Their groups seemed based around the cult of personality more than anything else. Alberto had his group and Jerry had his group. Once Alberto got banned and Jerry moved onto college coaching/Shelby was popped, the groups fell apart.
I don't know the long term plans for the likes of New Balance and On groups, but if they are able to build around more than the coach's personality, they will be more successful and sustainable in the long run than just being buddies with Nike executives.