[quote]the bigger question wrote:
Nike epitomizes everything that is wrong with all the sports it dumps a lot of money into. Nike cares about opportunity, not people or product..
WOOOOOOOOOOW. I assume this knock on Nike is a veiled argument for footlocker. Do you know ANY XC coach in the country that encourages their kids to buy their shoes from Footlocker? I tell my kids to stay away from those chain stores whose staff has never even run a 5K...instead go to your local running shoe store who is staffed by actual runners, gives team discounts, etc. I personally don't prefer Nike shoes, but their reputation is more closely tied to the development of our sport than Footlocker. I don't understand the Nike hating in light of the blatant opportunism of FL (not really much of a step forward sponsorwise than Kinney). As a coach I have taken my kids to both events and Nike HANDS DOWN is more organized and does more to excite the kids about the sport. By focusing on teams they do more to include and reward more runners which is good for our sport (the golden anchor award, etc). Inclusiveness is a good thing, elitism kills the sport. The number 5 man on Arcadia deserves national recognition for what he did, something that is not possible for him at FL.
Is Nike trying to make a ton of money off us? Of course...they are a business not a charity. How about Footlocker?...of course. Which one of the two invests more in runners and running? Who supports Olympic development? Who supports indoor and outdoor track? Nike is as flawed as just about any corporation, but let's not drowned in a cul de sac of our own self righteousness wagging the finger at Nike.