why does everyone hate Rupp?

do you qualify as having a 'brain of a moron'

Rupp turned pro out of high school, and basically failed dismally. Rupp returned to Am status because that was his only realistic option to compete successfully. The fact that at the same time OR 800 phenom McGrath was not doing well under Smith (being a big cry baby puss), coupled with a few hyper sensitive Eugene track community geezers, seemed to facilitate Nike/Salazar's involvement leading to Smiths ouster. The rest is history.

Pretty much having it both ways... isn't that just dandy.

Nike will do what ever they deem necessary to make a profit, gain exposure, you name it they'll do it. Wouldn't we all like to know what kind budget Salazar gets to research and pimp "supplements".

Blaze wrote:

"why does everyone hate Rupp?"

Blaze

A better question, assuming we're all NCAA fans, would be:

Why would anyone like Rupp?

I bet if you could actually find an average schmoe who watched NCAA XC nationals and asked them what they remembered, they would probably say "Rupp and that guy who won, what was his name?"

This scenario serves Nike pretty well, but you're kinda stupid if you think this is good for the future of the sport.

I think it is because of how much time he gets to spend with Kara Goucher that we are all jealous...

Define how he has cheated then...what NCAA rules has he violated? If people are putting in the hard work and beating him, why the resentment? Because they feel entitled to Rupp's perks? Kind of contradictory, don't you think. Otherwise they should be hugely satisfied they are beating someone who has more amenities--at the end of the day, that is all they are. Mere amenities. Not the keys to the kingdom. I don't really have a dog in this fight...don't know Rupp or Oregon at all...I'm just confused about what Rupp is legitimately doing that is 'cheating'...

'Stop whining', did you even read the thread? Seriously? Multiple people have listed things. The pure fact that he was a professional and than reverted back to amauter status.

If Rupp were a basketball player he would have gone to the NBA, lost a few games and went back to NCAA ball.

Mere amenities? Are you f***ing kidding me? Amenities are things/items/benefits that add pleasure or convenience. A pillow on a long flight is an amenity.

Flying across the country to workout on an indoor track once a week in not an amenity. Having a personal coach (who is funded by NIKE) is not an amenity. Training at a world class facility with top of the line doctors, specialist, etc (by the way, NO OTHER COLLEGE ATHLETE CAN DO THIS) is not an amenity.

I could go on but you should get the point by now.

My teammates who are not competing in a meet cannot ride on the bus to the meet with us because of the NCAA rules but Rupp can be flown around the country?

I think 'stop whining' is asking for some proof that Rupp has violated rules since his eligibility started. As others have pointed out, traveling to Boise, whether by car or plane, from Portland isn't "flying across the country." Do you have any proof that his family isn't paying for those trips?

As I mentioned in a previous post, you and others are wasting far too much energy worrying about what someone else is doing. Train hard, beat good people and opportunities will come your way. Become the 7th fastest American ever in any track event and doors will open.

from earlier in the thread it was mentioned galen paid back some winnings and was reinstated as eligible for the NCAA...aside from speculation, what NCAA rule did he violate? Please cite. Flying across the country to a workout on an indoor track is hardly an advantage...I guess I should be running faster than Galen because I have an indoor track 1/2 mile from my house...some people have better coaches than others, some have better facilities, some have better athletic trainers...big deal. I think it's reasonable to argue Galen isn't good enough to warrant all this attention, but not that he is doing something wrong by getting it...unless, of course, someone can show what NCAA rule he violated...he may have, I don't know...

I don't know who is paying for it. That would cost a lot to fly every week and you *really* don't think Nike is helping? I mean seriously.

my confession are you a D1 runner? Are you in college competing against him?

It's easy to say stop focusing on someone else and what they are doing, but that easier to say when you are not directly involved in the situation. If you are a top runner in the NCAA, this would concern you.

Let's put it this way; maybe you old people/non competitive runners can understand this.

If a coworker is getting paid on the side by your boss (lets say 'paid' via free travel, clothing, training in various business aspects). On top of that individual is the only person in the company getting access to seminars that improve their productivity and success in the work place, is getting access to perks you and your coworkers absolutely cannot receive (or you'll be fired).

Sure, you may not be as smart as your coworker, or as high up in the ladder but is that fair? Would you be pissed? Sure. And don't f***ing lie about it, you WOULD be mad as hell.

Lets forget about he NCAA violations and get back to the basic question the OP stated; why do people hate Rupp.

The answer is this: He gets benefits most pro runners don't even receive. He gets these benefits from the biggest athletic corporation while an 'amauter' NCAA student athlete. The benefits he receives are ones that no other college athlete has a chance to receive.

Having the backing of Nike while in College is sketchy enough for me.

For the person who posted above me talking about the indoor track. It's not as simple as 'I have a indoor track right near my house I should run fast too'. Think about this;

You are a top 15 type NCAA XC guy. If a guy finishing near you has access to things you cannot even receive, train to get, buy or your team cannot get how would you feel? Would you consider that person to be a cheat?

Rupp has access to Nike's training facilities ie; state of the art anti gravity treadmills, world class training partners, recovery systems in the form of massages, doctors, training tools, altitude tents/houses, etc. All these things are not funded by his University, rather NIKE. Amauter? I don't think so.

o.k. o.k. I can get on board with the reasons people hate Rupp...but if he's not breaking the rules, and we haven't established definitively that he is, is he in the wrong to take whatever opportunities he can to be the best he can be? Even if you or other people don't feel he is deserving of those opportunities? That's not Rupp's problem. If my coworker were getting those perks (if he were smarter and seemingly deserving of it) I would probably lament the fact that I don't get those same opportunities, but I think my venom would largely be geared to those offering those opportunities, not those taking advantage of them. We could go on and on, back and forth with the same premise. I concede I'm not a D1 athlete competing against him, and I respect the perspectives of those who are, but I still think, bottom line, life is not always fair, and it's better to channel your energy towards those things you can control rather than those you cannot.

cold here,

Everything you mention gets back to possible NCAA violations, even though you said to forget them and get back to the basic question. I have no idea if he's breaking any rules and neither do you or his other critics.

I repeat from an earlier post on this thread, 20 some years ago, I wasted too much energy waiting for my "break" or wanting the same "advantages" as other guys pursuing the same dreams. It was a mistake. Don't worry about Rupp and what he gets. Instead, train hard, run fast times, and beat good people any opportunity that you get. Your comments seem to indicate that once you finish school, you'll still be bitching about what other runners are getting and what you're not getting. My guess is that Josh McDougal isn't putting any thought into what Rupp gets, he's simply working his ass off. Let's jump ahead 4 years and you and Rupp are both pros. I think you'll still be bitching about all of his advantages via Nike/Salazar and how it's unfair. I guarantee you that your current attitude will hamper your development now and in the future.

Finally, despite my two references, you don't seem to want to give Rupp credit for what he's accomplished. I realize that he hasn't won a NCAA title, but with a junior 5k record, 7th fastest American ALL-TIME in the 10k, and making a World team is going to open doors. I'm sorry, but that's reality.

Guess what: track aint the NBA. A high school freshman can run in the IVD Brussels Golden League meet if Wilfred gives them an entry. You don't have to sign a contract with anyone to participate (unlike a pro sports league).

So it's not like Galen signed up for Trailblazers and then went back to U of O. It's different.

Its pathetic that you all hate some kid you dont even know thats going to be representing our country in a few months.

Having access to great facilities isnt going to make an shitty runner into a great runner. What about teams like arkansas, bu and nyc area schools who train at the armory? Why dont we call them cheaters?

You make it seem like every other school provides its athletes with shitty trainers and shitty resources. I know a D3 school that offers its athletes great treatment for injuries like ultrasound and things like that. I can only imagine what top tier d1 schools provide.

Rupp is an incredibly talented runner and he has not "cheated". Its not like he is under the radar doing shady things... if the NCAA thought he was doing something wrong the would do something about it. Hes not a doper. He has not cheated.

Its not unethical. Hes 22 racing against kids his age. What about the african runners who could be 28 for all we know?

Most (if not all of you) are not close to the situation. Show me hard evidence (some kind of article or something like that from a credible source) that shows what he has is illegal.

You are all pathetic and are full of jealousy against a kid who is respectful towards his competition. He is going to be represting our country at the olympics soon. We should all be cheering him on not hoping he fails miserably.

joking aside... wrote:

That's why McDougal beat Rupp. Josh has the heart of a champion. So does Ritz (remember in hs how he'd collapse after winning xc races?).

Blah. Ritz still collapses now after coming in 3rd behind Rupp.