Cole Hocker on going pro: "Honestly, I’m just having fun right now in college.. The pros are always going to be there.”

Calling bs on him not receiving any offers. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s received offers from every single company capable of giving him one.

Nike would be crazy not to give him a generous Name/Image/Likeness deal. If they’re STILL marketing Pre/Bowerman/etc, there’s obviously a market for the Oregon mystique and its connection to the brand. Hocker is young, charismatic, and is well known among younger runners.

Why might he not be getting other offers? I think it’s possible that he’s already getting “benefits” of various kinds while at Oregon and agents know it, just like Rupp before him. And Hocker is more marketable now than Rupp was in college.

He need a coach like Salazar. But this running has becomes difficult, any runner that do noticeable progress is suspected of doping.

All of the above also applies to Yared Nuguse. He has elected to return for his 5th year at Notre Dame and says he’s more focused on applying to dental school then running professionally.

Yes, yes, Mister Hocker...the pros will always be there. But will you? Ask German Fernandez and Lukas Verzbicas. You can always finish school, but your window of opportunity is limited.

What would preclude him from signing a deal? Look at the football players at Miami getting offered up to $6K per year for promoting a gym. A basketball player at Tennessee State signed a $2M endorsement deal.

I am sort of surprised Mu and others did not wait until July 1 to sign and still run in college unless they just wanted out of the college competition schedule (and that would be a legit reason).

Well his performances, although exciting and showing potential, especially for success in championship style racing, are not mind blowing on paper.

21 years ago Gabe Jennings, age 21, had bests of 1:46 and 3:35 while being both NCAA and U.S. National Champ at 1500m.

He's a 20 year old Olympian and a junior in college where they worship runners. Also a decent looking guy. Yeah, you better believe he's having fun!

David Woods claimed that Hocker, age 20, by virtue of his win at the Olympic Trials became the youngest miler in 110 years to win the National Championship.

Cole Hocker was not the youngest 1500m Nation champion. That title goes to Tom Byers, who in 1974, as a 19 year old freshman at Ohio State won both the Senior and Junior National titles in the same year (1974). A feat that no other track and field athlete has duplicated.

The article without a paywall.

https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/2021/06/28/olympic-trials-indianapolis-20-year-old-became-youngest-miler-110-years-national-champion-and-olympi/5300973001/?fbclid=IwAR2a-y8Xzcf86RrTjWu0fZL5ahbxsLF6kIsrbVp4otwd6LI9Aolbb4DzKr4

Ya but Jennings could have been an all timer had he not been so wacky (a bike ride to South America helped to ruin his career).

That said- it was the electricity in which he won so many races that has everyone so excited.

I have no doubt Gabe was at least a 3:33 guy when he won the trials in 3:35 in the way he won them, and many feel Hocker is already capable of much faster and at a younger age.

And with that explosive last 100m, if he can become a 3:30 guy (maybe he’s already close to that) he’ll be a legit medal contender (like Manzano, Willis, Centro).

"The Indianapolis 20-year-old became the youngest miler in 110 years to be the national champion, and an Olympian, too."

Is this really true? Ryun won national championships before the age of 20.

You got it backwards

Running roulette invincible but fleeting

Get Paid

JBaller33 wrote: applying to dental school then running professionally.

So you’re saying there’s a chance?

Any other people become dentists THEN run as pros?

malmo wrote:

David Woods claimed that Hocker, age 20, by virtue of his win at the Olympic Trials became the youngest miler in 110 years to win the National Championship.

Cole Hocker was not the youngest 1500m Nation champion. That title goes to Tom Byers, who in 1974, as a 19 year old freshman at Ohio State won both the Senior and Junior National titles in the same year (1974). A feat that no other track and field athlete has duplicated.

Depends on how you read the quote- could be construed to say Nat champ + Olympian - I believe for that combination he is the youngest in a century - which admittedly narrows things down considerably.

Its that comma after the and - if that was added by an editor or just a mistake changes the meaning.

BS wrote:

Its that comma after the and - if that was added by an editor or just a mistake changes the meaning.

I did email him yesterday about it.

Good for him. College IS fun and it sounds like his family is well off enough that he doesn't need the money. Not everyone is motivated by getting paid as soon as possible. To live among your peers and run on a college team might be a more enjoyable and valuable experience for a couple more years than getting spit out into the professional world. I would certainly have enjoyed a couple more years on my college team if I could have stuck around.

He has had success where he is and there is no reason to think that will not continue. Sure, he could get injured and flame out, but people don't always make decisions based on what negative event could happen in the future.