Footlocker vs. Nike Nationals

I prefer Footlocker because of tradition, but also because I don't like Nike or the whole process of NTN.

Steens is the best camp in the world.

I love the fact that the top individuals can go head to head in a small field. The whole team concept is best left to the state or division level.

I just got back from NTN, which the team I coach ran in. It was the greatest thing I've been associated with, athletically-speaking. Really, it was terrific.

I agree with you nad wish Nike and Footlocker would get together on it. Regionals should qualify teams and individuals.

Maybe more regions so courses could handle larger races.

leaping lanny wrote:

I prefer Footlocker because of tradition, but also because I don't like Nike or the whole process of NTN.

I have to say, there's something that irritates me about getting the best high school teams in the nation (and east africa) together and making them sit through a presentation on footwear that's little more than a marketing pitch.

Here's an idea. Why doesn't Nike run a team race at the Footlocker regionals? The course is already set up, and divided into regions. Go back to 8 qualifiers, and then allow the two fastest from the team race into Footlocker.

I have to agree, I love the idea of NTN, but I hate the way Nike has tried to push the Footlocker meet out business by throwing money at things they like. Apparently, Nike doesn't understand the idea of loyalty to meets and meet directors who treat you well.

It's a shame that Nike has forced individuals and teams to choose between the two with the way they have gone to their regional qualifying on the same day as Footlocker regionals.

Bad call Nike...do what's right for the sport, not just your meet.

STEENS wrote:

I personally think footlocker should be absorbed by Nike Nationals for a true national championship: teams and individuals

This is what Nike is planning. Just sub out "absorb" with "replace". High school track/xc is the level where we have the most participation and they're working to own it.

Yea, Nike is playing the bully here. Footlocker is the true national championship, the team stuff is overrated, most of those teams were on the downside and went for the ride. There were at least 100 other temas that could have competed for the top 10 spots in each race.

It does suck when Nike says, you have to make a choice, one or the other. I have had my kids make a choice about shoes, no more Nikes for us, plenty of other good shoes out there. My team is Nike free, and not the nike model either.

Not all the Footlocker reg meets are well run...the south is a turd; shitty course, slow to post results and lame barely noticable awards ceremony.

Life is full of decisions; stop dramatizing the whole kids are being robbed of an opportunity-when in reality they are being offered two seperate opportunities to chose from.

Why cant both aspects of XC;team and indie be contested in the post season?

But it wouldnt be letsrun without the never ending cast of whiners.

I think Footlocker has asked for this run on their turf by not adapting to changing times and anticipating demand for a national team meet. Their meet is some 25+ years old, and it has changed little if any over time. They should have known that:

1) teams and fans want to see the best teams go against each other.

2) 8 kids in an entire region is too few, especially when most championship meets have around 150 runners.

3) The be-all and end-all for most is the state meet, and it takes something special to generate hype for others to get interested.

Nike's just filling a void that Footlocker/Kinney ignored for decades.

Footlocker is Eastbay's parent company. NTN is run by Nike but "presented" by Eastbay.

Footlocker is involved with NTN.

To whoever said that the South meet is not well run...South is well run, in fact it's run by the national meet director.

Most states prohibit post season competition, and I can only surmise that the NFHS ignores this because Nike pours money into their programs. I really don't understand how NTN can even exist post state meets. I like the idea, I just don't know how they get away with it.

What Nike has failed to grasp is that most states athletic associations are still administered by a good ole boy system of AD's and Football coaches who don't care how much money Nike is pouring into xc on a national scale. They'll protect what's their's and you are going to start seeing sanctions against teams attending NTN.

I mean calling a team by it's name spelled backwards? What sense does that make? I follow the sport closely but couldn't identify 90% of the teams at NTN by their "club" name.

I find myself with virtually zero interest in NTN. HS XC is not a team sport on the national level because the HS are not national-level institutions. Universities are national-level (with international component) and it is entirely different. I think that Nike's efforts are not all that great for XC but are intended to advantage Nike.

I'm enthusiastically anticipating what the Taylor Brothers are going to add to the mix.

-Joe-

As someone who has been around XC for a long time, I would like to comment to a variety of the posts above...

"...presentation on footwear that's little more than a marketing pitch."

As a coach who's been there, including this year, I would disagree wholeheartedly. I was there when my team got their shoes and they were presented with 3 training shoe options and the options were explained. They were not told that Nike training shoes were better than other brands.

"Nike has tried to push Foot Locker meet out of business."

Nike has tried for three years to get Foot Locker on board for an individual and team national championship. Foot Locker has had every opportunity to became a co-sponsor.

"Nike is playing the bully, the team stuff is overrated.... most teams are on the downside."

See above about Nike being a bully. One could argue that some/many of the individuals going to Foot Locker are on the downside as well. Most people I know think the team "stuff" is equally important in XC.

"The whole team concept is best left to the state or division level."

I can respect those that believe high school sports should remain at the state level, but then it should also apply to individuals as well. Could you imagine if the NCAA decided to make the national championships for individuals only and said the team concept should be left to the regional level?! If you are for any type of post-season XC for high school kids, why shouldn't teams be part of the equation?

"don't like Nike."

Ultimately, I think this explains why so many people don't like NTN. If it was the Brooks Team Nationals, I'd bet that most of the critics would probably think it's a great idea.

Agree with you 100%. Never understood why I never cared about NTN, but you explained it well.

Edit:

HS XC is not an individual sport on the national level because HS are not national-level institutions.

Do you think Foot Locker is wrong as well. If not, why is it great for XC and not intended to advantage Foot Locker? Why is it ok for individuals, but not teams?

Again, if it wasn't Nike, would you feel the same way? Be honest!

I just don't understand the anti-NTN bias on Letsrun. XC has always been about individuals AND teams.

i know that ntn is not a true race of all the best hs teams in the country because i live in michigan and under the mhsaa rules, teams cannot participate outside of the state or someting like that. i know that mi isnt the only state like that so ntn is not a true showing of all of the best teams in the country.