UO men's team community engagement grade: F

It really, really sounds like you care.

Maybe they should have it in a student-athlete scholarship that they MUST go about their business to wave and talk to everyone passerby.

Do you know how ridiculous you sound? You ever consider that your little head nods, weak hand waves, or grumbles that you make might not even register to a 18-22 year old out on their run?

Get over yourself. Maybe actually speak up and say “hi” or something normal humans do when they want a response.

There seems to be this weird narrative going around let’s run that U of O has certain obligations to Eugene. While I get that they’ve been great about community outreach in the past that shouldn’t make it an expectation. No others schools get scrutinized in this way so people need to stop thinking they are entitled to things from the program. The only obligation Jerry and the program have is to their athletes.

Additionally, I went to a meet this spring at Hayward where they were racing a lot of athletes in the 10k. The event was completely free but very few folks showed up. I showed up 5 minutes before and got seats in the second row on the finish line. Do people actually care or do they just like to complain?

"small nod or a quick hand wave" - I bet some returned a small nod and quick hand wave of their own but you didn't notice because it was so quick. or some simply didn't see your small nod and quick hand wave because they're focused on training and not staring at every passing jogger. my guess is it's a little of both.

stop being so sensitive.

I think it depends on the number of other runners on the trail. I went to college in a small town and we rarely saw other runners, so when we did, we would nod or even say hi.

Eugene likes to act like a small town, but I imagine there is a large number of other runners on the streets and trails. For that reason, I don’t think the team needs to acknowledge all of them.

When my kid’s college team was out one day, a citizen on the trail stopped and sang their school song as they ran by. They cheered and clapped for that gesture. That was a strong showing of mutual respect.

Some of the replies here are so ridiculous. As our sport continues to slide in fan popularity, we have idiots on this thread that post total foolishness. We have a participation sport. No one cares about it and they let every terrible athlete participate.

Track athletes always seem to whine about no one caring. Why should anyone care? If you want to help yourselves, maybe have some sort of community engagement. Treat the people in the community like you would want them to be fans. The older people that have been fans in Eugene are dying and going away. That stadium looks more and more like a cavernous waste of money. When no one cares about track in Eugene then money stops flowing.

Track really should be treated just like division 3 with the only scholarships available being those need based that are available to the student body. There are way to many entitled babies that do not deserve scholarships. Leave that to the sports that people care about.

they're prolly just clueless brah, i'd say hi to u tho brah.

I have feet pics of the entire women’s team if you are interested

As the official Jerry defender, let me chime in here.

The most amazing thing from this post is you are afraid to wave high to the womens' team as you don't want to look like a creeper? Are you serious? Is it possible you are the socially awkward one?

Now, in terms of waving on runs, to me it's a regional thing. I was stunned when I moved to the Northeast how no one acknowledged each other on runs or said hi. In Texas, they did. I think were a ton of threads about this on letsrun back in the day.

How long have you lived on the West Coast. I just found a thread on letsrun from 15 years ago. Check this quote out about how self-absorbed the runners are near you.

I had the same thought. They don't owe you a greeting. This reminds me of men who tell women to smile.

Rojo is actually spot on with this. Grew up in the Midwest and runners were very friendly to each other. In Eugene I have never had another runner want to even exchange glances (and there are lots of runners around obviously). The cycling community; however, is so eager to exchange waves it’s almost annoying haha.

The non-acknowledgment is kind of sad honestly, gives real bad vibes.

Actually, I’ll back track a bit. The trail-running community will give a friendly wave. If you’re on the river path/ Alton Baker park/ or Amazon rexius trails though, it’s avoid eye contact at all costs.

Of course they do not owe you anything. And the comment about women is just as clueless. No one owes anyone anything. There is a common level of civility that I feel is a good thing to show. You don't have to and the Oregon runners don't have to. Do not be surprised when people don't like you or people do not care about the rude skinny distance runners at Oregon. Why should anyone support them if they are rude?

Post your PR’s or don’t say anything pal. Nobody owes you anything because you’re washed up and irrelevant. Anyone can claim to be fast anonymously, so put up or shut up.

Jerry has his guys under a strict no waving or nodding rule as doing either requires energy that is best saved for the four races they have each year

You cared enough to come to letsrun adn cry about it. Apparently you care a large amount.

Your family doesn’t love you, do they?

Dont base your self esteem on who says "hi" to you, or gives you a "like" on FB.

I'll make an addendum. Lived in Eugene late 70's to early 80's. I was good but not great, did workouts with a good 1500 meter dude. Used to see Salazar, Chapa, Centrowitz, Martin, etc doing their usual stuff but I would never have thought there would be an acknowledgement just because I was out there too ,cuz they were doing their thing and were focused.