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.
Personality and image sells. The best option would be to sell the coaches and athletes image. People follow that and it’s not 100% about ROI with groups. Showing support gets younger high school kids following and hooked on that brand early.
Uh, ever hear of Mary Cain? How about Kara Goucher? These two heaped so much bad press on Nike that the company made the smart business decision to tamp down their support of track after that fiasco. Track is small potatoes in their revenues and they did it mostly because of Phil Knight. Another case of killing the goose that laid the golden egg,
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.
+1 though I would rephrase it: Because Alberto got banned and Shelby was popped, the groups fell apart and Jerry moved onto college coaching.
Uh, ever hear of Mary Cain? How about Kara Goucher? These two heaped so much bad press on Nike that the company made the smart business decision to tamp down their support of track after that fiasco. Track is small potatoes in their revenues and they did it mostly because of Phil Knight. Another case of killing the goose that laid the golden egg,
Uh, they are both victims to Salazar, who had to settle with one, and got a lifetime coaching ban because of the other. Both for abuse. I'd blame the perpetrator, not his victims.
Sonia O’Sullivan’s daughter runs for Adidas now. Yeah Union sucks
Sophie O'Sullivan to the best of my knowledge still has eligibility at Washington. I think she has an NIL with adidas, which explains why she was wearing the current adidas pro kit.
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.
UAC is a dead end street. It’s where pros go to die, rivaling Rowland and OTC. Seeing the end of Charlie Hunter is one thing, but the destruction of Brazier is quite another. That still pîsses me off.
Well, facts are facts, sure. But the OP was talking about American "Nike groups" "right now", not about international Nike-sponsored athletes over four months ago.
Well, facts are facts, sure. But the OP was talking about American "Nike groups" "right now", not about international Nike-sponsored athletes over four months ago.
I literally said the same thing after New Balance signed Blanks and everybody downvoted me and said "so what?". Even mentioned it's happening in other sports as well, I would've sworn they are completely dropping the ball if they didn't sign Caitlin Clark. I'm being told Parker Valby and SML don't move the needle? C'mon man somebody like Parker Valby even if she doesn't get a huge following will be a complete trickle down effect of gaining popularity. No new pro signings = weak pro teams.
This is not a problem. One brand controlling the sport in the U.S. is. Better for athletes to have multiple options rather than a take it or leave it from Nike which used to be the case.
Groups are always coming and going. In the dark ages 20-30 years Nike had the Farm Team. Meb and Denna were also in Cali. Hansons were in Michigan. I think there was even groups in Minnesota, North Carolina, and Arizona before Hoka. The east coast has always had groups too. Then there have been countless Americans who trained alone or had people do track work outs with them.
Every Olympic cycle there are changes. Sponsorship money comes and goes just like the runners. There is no need to panic about who is running with who or where they are living and running. Do the work, stay healthy and the results will come.
Uh, ever hear of Mary Cain? How about Kara Goucher? These two heaped so much bad press on Nike that the company made the smart business decision to tamp down their support of track after that fiasco. Track is small potatoes in their revenues and they did it mostly because of Phil Knight. Another case of killing the goose that laid the golden egg,
2Uh, they are both victims to Salazar, who had to settle with one, and got a lifetime coaching ban because of the other. Both for abuse. I'd blame the perpetrator, not his victims.
I’m not defending his actions , but it’s been clear that since little Mary went public , Nike has phased out its support of American distance running . This didn’t Just happen.
Nike had a CEO who thought his approach to leadership was to eliminate connections with specialty shops and sell product online. I doubt Donahoe had any idea that UAC and Bowerman TC Elite had meaningful visibility with the public. He seemingly had no clue what connection Nike with runners nor did he seemingly care. Many people in Beaverton were happy to see him go. The new CEO is well respected and knowledgable of both product and how to connect with athletes of all abilities.
There are good people in the running division. They are aware innovation has been lacking It will be interesting to see if they rebound and how long it might/will take.
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