German Fernandez seen walking around Nike Corp in Beaverton.

In the 70's it was common for runners to support themselves on appearance fees. I'm curious whether most of your income at that time came from salary or other sources?

jim spivey owns

In 1984, Nike Athletics West was my main income. I usually made around $800-1200 in appearance fees per race. $500 when I ran 13:19; and $300 when I ran 3:50.59, both in 1983 and both at Oslo. Meet director paid the well for the draws, but not so for the up and coming.

I also signed an endorsement contract with the company that made my orthitics, for my traning shoes and another pair was made for my spikes. Dr. John Durkin made the first pair for OSI orthotics, for Seb Coe. Think I was the 3rd. Thinking it was about $250/month? But really unsure.

A few speeches here and there. Nike had me under contract for 6 speeches a year as part of my contract, but with no one out trying to set up appearances, I only had 2 in 4 years. Really thought they dropped the ball in this arena.

I have been told by the agent, and friend, Ray Flynn, that today, it is almost if not all prize money in Europe. When I competed from 1983-1995, it was mostly appearance money. I saw the shift start in 1995/96.

js

Really nice post Jim, thank you. What would you suggest for German at this stage in his running career? What would you consider a fair amount by todays standards if he were to go with an endorsement. College would not be an issue. His school would still continue.

Article in the OSU web site states German is going to be the first in his family to get a four year degree. I think for all the bashing Coach Smith gets from you writers, you all have him wrong. Smith knows what he is doing, like letting German rest this summer. In all of sports there are injuries. German is no more injury prone than anyone else. The money will be there in three years. German is not unlike a minor baseball player. Learning his trade. German states in the article that he can only run for so many years and then he needs his education. So for all you morning quartbacks, stop for you not what you speak about.Let the you man be, it is his life and not yousr and stop speculating on what he will do.

oldoldrunner wrote:

Article in the OSU web site states German is going to be the first in his family to get a four year degree. I think for all the bashing Coach Smith gets from you writers, you all have him wrong. Smith knows what he is doing, like letting German rest this summer. In all of sports there are injuries. German is no more injury prone than anyone else. The money will be there in three years. German is not unlike a minor baseball player. Learning his trade. German states in the article that he can only run for so many years and then he needs his education. So for all you morning quartbacks, stop for you not what you speak about.Let the you man be, it is his life and not yousr and stop speculating on what he will do.

I'm not sure staying at OSU has to have much to do with his education (which he can still pursue) if he makes the smart choice and goes to Nike Portland.

Great question, and only GM can answer. All of us on Let's Run can state our opinions, point to previous examples of individuals that left college, and those that stayed.

The finances of the family and GM have to be taken into account. Also, is the coach willing to look long term, or run 4 events at the Penn Relays. One would be quick to say - "If a coach had a runner run the 4x800, DMR, 4x1600 and open 1500, all in the same 2 day event: He should turn pro!" And yet, those are the events that I ran as a freshmen at Indiana at the Drake Relays, and wondered why I was so tired for the next 2 weeks.

For most of us on the boards, we had such an enjoyable experience running for a college team, regardless the division or level of fitness attained, that we would all do it over again if we had the chance. I used to think every high school runner had the same experience that I had - a great coach, fun, won the conference title, train with others during the summer ... that I started recruiting as a college coach, and realized that I needed to ask the initial question: "How many kids are on your team?" Many times, the answer was 4 or 5, and with a school of over a 1000, you knew it was not a good training situation.

From my story, I had red-shirted an earlier cross-country season, as was coming back for my 5th year to run the 1982 NCAA championships on my home course. In the spring leading up to the Cross season, I had run my current PR in the 800, 1:46.5 (1st in San Francisco); and 3:37.34 at the US champs and won the NCAA 1500m champs in Provo. I trained a few weeks for the National Sports Festival in Indianapolis and won in 13:33, in high 80 degree temperature. I did not go to Europe to race, as I stayed home to get my mileage and long runs in to be ready for Cross-country in the fall.

Looking back, I was in peak form, and great 800m shape (for me). I would have been pulled along to some very fast 1500m times in Europe. I had run in Europe in 1981 for 45 days, winning in Moscow (US v USSR); 2nd in the 1000m behind the World Record of Seb Coe in Oslo; and 4th at the World Student Games 1500 (Aoutia won from Morocco), so I knew what it was like to race overseas, and travel from hotel to hotel.

After running with the leaders through 6k at the Cross Champs in November, the 3" of rain the night before caught up to me. I weight 135 pounds, and was build for dry land. I finished 41st, and very dejected. Two weeks later, during an indoor Indiana University home time trial meet, I ran 8:32 solo for 2 miles, so was in great shape (4:12-4:20).

What was the point - 41st? I wish I would have run in Europe the summer of 1982, and came back and skipped the opening meets for Cross, and see how I could have run at NCAA's. When you are fit - race. One always thinks when they run a PR, "Oh, wait until next race!" When Carl Lewis missed the World Record by a few 100's at the Indianapolis USATF Champs in 1983 for 200 meters, by putting his arms over his head the last 40 meters (or 50?) to celebrate, he said "oh, I will get it later - I am in great shape!" He never had the 200m WR.

GM can have a great college experience, win NCAA champs, get a college degree, meet his future wife (in many cases) and, run overseas. That is a decision for he and his family, and Team Germain.

js

Keep the good posts coming Jim. I love reading your perspective on things.

"If I was German, I'd..."

Perhaps this should be the title of the thread.

The thing GM needs to weigh is how much more could he get a contract for by waiting. This whole thing comes down to the economic theory of opportunity cost.

If GM becomes the most decorated NCAA runner of all time (and he could), a contract could be worth more.

Maybe I am wrong and he has been offered $1M+ over the next 5+ years. That being the case, he should get a good attorney and take the dough.

The unnerving truth is that our economy has just come off a tremendous 10 year growth period. Things may get a lot worse.

Somethings up!