The US college athletic system: unique?

First of all -- I'm surprised and depressed that a) so few students at MUN could tell you that there was (and is) a cross country programme and b) that so few on this board could tell you of MUN's most famous athlete - Paul McCloy, a multiple Canadian cross country champion and sub-28 minute 10 K performer.

2004-2005 Men's Cross Country Preview

The 2004-2005 Atlantic University Sport Cross-Country running season gets underway for the Memorial Men’s team on September 25th at St. FX. University in Nova Scotia.

This year’s squad shows great promise for some high results. With a mix of seasoned veterans and fresh eager rookies the team looks confident in their chances to excel during all of their AUS Meets.

Returning for another season as head coach is veteran runner Art Meaney, who will be starting his seventh year as head coach of the Sea-Hawks Men’s Cross Country Program. Former Sea-Hawk standout Colin Fewer will be back again this season, taking on the role of assistant coach and should provide valuable coaching support to the team.

The Sea-Hawks face the 2004-05 season without some of their veteran experience, but a strong class of competitors should make an immediate impact on improved results. Returning to the roster this season are Grant Handrigan, Mike King and Mike Godsell who’ll be looked upon to provide leadership on the trails and among their teammates. A strong crop of first year runners will round out the Sea-Hawks squad and although these athletes are in their rookie year, they come to Memorial as experienced runners and should be able to make an immediate impact at the AUS level. Look forward to great things from Gary Storey, Peter Bazely, Dave Gillam, Aaron Manuel and Steve Adams as they all make the adjustment to cross-country running at the University level.

Coach Meaney is very excited with this year’s roster and has a lot of confidence his team’s ability to compete. The team will look to climb to the top of the AUS this season and build a program that can elevate them back to Championship status in Atlantic University Sport.

A NUMBER OF IRISH UNIVERSITIES NOW OFFER ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIPS. UCD,DCU,UCC TO MENTION A FEW

ALSO SOME OF THE BETTER IRISH RUNNERS ARE STAYING HOME NOW

MARK CHRISTIE AND COLIN COSTELLO AND AVAILING OF THE IRISH COLLEGES

My daughter attends UCC.

hey trackhead i disagree completly with your opinion. the us college athletic system is the best you can find in the world.

i am a runner from switzerland and came to the us only because of your system. you sad, that u can join whatever club you want.. right, but first of all what if the club u want to run for is not in the same city your track club is...?? second of all, american universitys invest more money in sports then every track club in the world. u won't find a track club with the same athletic facilitys as a university here in the states.

second of all, if u join a university u have school, home and track within not more then 2-3 miles. in other countrys your track is maybe 20 miles away from home and another 30 miles from your university, just imagine the time you loose.

and finally, who tells u what university you have to run for.. it's up to you what us university with what coache u want to run for...

just wanted to let u know that u should appreciate your opportunities u have in the states..

why else do you think that the us is dominating in track????

Swiss runner,

Well said. This is the point I've been trying to make with this thread.

Let us all (in the US) give thanks!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

those are features simply because of the size, population and wealth of the US.

The overracing, and restrictive rules that are found in the NCAA are what does it in.

My opinion, of course.

Before you gain too much respect for the states...understand that in D1 athletics they chew you up and spit you out. Not giving a rat's ass if they totally screwed you up. It doesn't matter what sport you're in either, it could be track or it could be football. At least in Canada they appreciate their athletes and don't turn them into a piece of meat that is only there to compete well. They place the major focus on education, which is the most important.

>>why else do you think that the us is dominating in track????

Yea. At 800m and beyond they really dominate(sarcasm)!!!!! College is certainly good in that it keep as athletes running and their facilities are very good but despite the huge numbers of runners in HS or college very few go on to do anything hence the poor results at international level. You have to ask why.