Could anyone share any knowledge they have of this program + their coach?
Could anyone share any knowledge they have of this program + their coach?
Just my impressions as a NW runner who has kept an eye on them:
Connor gets a nice stable of 4:20/9:15 guys from OR/WA and lets a good sized crew train for XC. The one's who rise to the top (often solid 9:00 recruits) make nice improvements and run big times at Nationals, the second tier destroy the conference competition year after year. If you've got the chops to get on board and the stamina for training, seems like a great place to run and have a chance at big improvements.
Dig through this a bit:
It's a bit dated, but if you click through the week that Matt was with them and read what's available, you'll get some insight into their program. I miss that year; great stuff from Matt's travels!
Portland ran their A-team the last few years. The WCC is much stronger than it used to be.
I found out everything I wanted to know from this email address conner@up.edu
11 ANT wrote:
I found out everything I wanted to know from this email address
conner@up.edu
Why do people post condescending responses like this? Of course, he can email the coach but he's looking for an outside opinion. When you are looking at a major investment like buying a house or car do you just ask the salesman or do you do a little research first?
To answer the question: The coach is a great guy that has run a very successful program without the support of a big athletics program. One of the big differentiators for UP is that the focus is on the 5k, 10k and cross country. If you see yourself as a mid-D guy then this program might not be the best fit.
ten-ant wrote:
Could anyone share any knowledge they have of this program + their coach?
Heavy mileage if that's your thing - typically 100-120mpw.
Conner is a good coach and guy. He is a little quirky, so if that isn't your thing you might think twice. I have heard mostly good things from those that have run at UP.
A bunch of alcoholics who run fast. Connor is a decent coach IMO. Turns a lot of average runners into great runners. Turns lots of great runners into sh**. Not so much to do with him than say the heavy mileage.
Cuts are made based off ability to do mileage and popularity, not times ran on course.
Never met a higher ratio of pricks in my life. That said, they can throw a hell of a party.
If you are serious about the program take your visit serious. Do more than go for a run on them. Go to a party, see how they are off campus. The UP team reminds me of your standard stereotyped fraternity.
A bunch of guys will get on here and tell you what I've said is BS but that will be up to you to decide.
Distance Maniac wrote:
ten-ant wrote:Could anyone share any knowledge they have of this program + their coach?
Heavy mileage if that's your thing - typically 100-120mpw.
More like 110 on the low side to as high as 135.
Would you say that guys on the higher spectrum of high school running (sub 9) usually do better at BCS powers such as OSU, Wisconsin, Colorado, Oregon?
Portlandia Rules wrote:
Distance Maniac wrote:Heavy mileage if that's your thing - typically 100-120mpw.
More like 110 on the low side to as high as 135.
Huh? There must be a game of telephone going on with reports of mileage at UP. When I was there I was running more miles then probably everyone, and it was rare if I cracked 100. I do know there were a couple of guys after I left who did get up the the 120+ range on occasion, but they're not doing that for the season. The vast majority of guys on the team are probably between 60-80 miles a week, with a few below that and a few above that. Probably about what you will find at other programs in the top 25 of the NCAA.
To the OP, a lot of comments on this thread are pretty accurate, Conner gets mostly recruits who aren't the best in their state, but are near it. He's willing to work with people and if your willing to work and do what's needed you'll improve. He actually has a lot of walk-ons and JV types who end up doing really well by the time they graduate. It's not an overnight thing, it takes time. My first couple years under him were a bit rocky, by no means was that Conner's fault. The transition from HS to D1 is pretty intense, but by my last couple of years there I was running really solid and improved a lot over what I had done in HS. He is the guy running work outs on a daily basis which is really nice. A lot bigger name programs have an assistant coach who does that.
Conner is into some kooky things and you will hear about them, when I was there he was super into 60's old school wrestling from po-dunk amatuer leagues no body had ever heard of. His take on the current level of professional wrestling and it's pro's was always hilarious to hear. He is a genuine guy though and does care about the guys on his team. I graduated a few years ago and still talk to him from time to time.
You also can't beat running in Portland. It's a great city, and has lots of awesome trails and parks, the weather is pretty good for training, it doesn't get to hot too often or too cold, the rain is a bit annoying but it really more of slight drizzle most of the time. It's probably why so many pro's are based out of the city. Forest Park is pretty close by and Conner takes his guys there pretty regularly.
Overall, I had a good experience in the program as did most of my teammates. Conner is having more and more success as time goes by. I would say that it's well worth your time to talk to Conner, guys on the team, and give the school a hard look.
Any insights on the letting go (forcing out) of half the team a couple years ago? Portland touted itself as a place where walk-ons were welcomed, but then the athletic department turned around and told a dozen or two to clean their lockers and take a hike.
A realistic-speaking troll wrote:
Any insights on the letting go (forcing out) of half the team a couple years ago? Portland touted itself as a place where walk-ons were welcomed, but then the athletic department turned around and told a dozen or two to clean their lockers and take a hike.
I haven't heard of that. I would be amazed if that actually happened. It's a pretty small team even with walk-ons, so cutting a bunch of people because they aren't cutting it or got injured sounds fishy to me from what I know. Conner's had a lot of success with walk-ons becoming varsity athletes after a year or two, so he's pretty willing to give people chances to prove themselves.
I do know a guy who did get the boot, but that involved a situation where there was an issue outside the program and they were no longer a student at UP. The only way I could see what you describe as happening is if a group were in serious violation of athetic dept/school/ or academic rules where that was warranted, which if that was the case they wouldn't advertise it since it's a private matter.
Former Pilot wrote:
I haven't heard of that. I would be amazed if that actually happened. It's a pretty small team even with walk-ons, so cutting a bunch of people because they aren't cutting it or got injured sounds fishy to me from what I know. Conner's had a lot of success with walk-ons becoming varsity athletes after a year or two, so he's pretty willing to give people chances to prove themselves.
I do know a guy who did get the boot, but that involved a situation where there was an issue outside the program and they were no longer a student at UP. The only way I could see what you describe as happening is if a group were in serious violation of athetic dept/school/ or academic rules where that was warranted, which if that was the case they wouldn't advertise it since it's a private matter.
Thanks for the perspective.
From what I understand (knowing an athlete and family) the move to remove marginal runners came outside the coach's realm (i.e., it came from athletic department); it involved more than a dozen student athletes, and had nothing to do with discipline or academics. Just that the athletic dept. didn't want (or could no longer afford) to have so many walk on athletes in the program.
A realistic-speaking troll wrote:
Thanks for the perspective.
From what I understand (knowing an athlete and family) the move to remove marginal runners came outside the coach's realm (i.e., it came from athletic department); it involved more than a dozen student athletes, and had nothing to do with discipline or academics. Just that the athletic dept. didn't want (or could no longer afford) to have so many walk on athletes in the program.
Wow, I hadn't heard that. Thanks for a bit more clarity on the situation.
Former Pilot wrote:
Huh? There must be a game of telephone going on with reports of mileage at UP. When I was there I was running more miles then probably everyone, and it was rare if I cracked 100. I do know there were a couple of guys after I left who did get up the the 120+ range on occasion, but they're not doing that for the season. The vast majority of guys on the team are probably between 60-80 miles a week, with a few below that and a few above that. Probably about what you will find at other programs in the top 25 of the NCAA.
To the OP, a lot of comments on this thread are pretty accurate, Conner gets mostly recruits who aren't the best in their state, but are near it. He's willing to work with people and if your willing to work and do what's needed you'll improve. He actually has a lot of walk-ons and JV types who end up doing really well by the time they graduate. It's not an overnight thing, it takes time. My first couple years under him were a bit rocky, by no means was that Conner's fault. The transition from HS to D1 is pretty intense, but by my last couple of years there I was running really solid and improved a lot over what I had done in HS. He is the guy running work outs on a daily basis which is really nice. A lot bigger name programs have an assistant coach who does that.
Conner is into some kooky things and you will hear about them, when I was there he was super into 60's old school wrestling from po-dunk amatuer leagues no body had ever heard of. His take on the current level of professional wrestling and it's pro's was always hilarious to hear. He is a genuine guy though and does care about the guys on his team. I graduated a few years ago and still talk to him from time to time.
You also can't beat running in Portland. It's a great city, and has lots of awesome trails and parks, the weather is pretty good for training, it doesn't get to hot too often or too cold, the rain is a bit annoying but it really more of slight drizzle most of the time. It's probably why so many pro's are based out of the city. Forest Park is pretty close by and Conner takes his guys there pretty regularly.
Overall, I had a good experience in the program as did most of my teammates. Conner is having more and more success as time goes by. I would say that it's well worth your time to talk to Conner, guys on the team, and give the school a hard look.
All true and accurate.
A realistic-speaking troll wrote:
Thanks for the perspective.
From what I understand (knowing an athlete and family) the move to remove marginal runners came outside the coach's realm (i.e., it came from athletic department); it involved more than a dozen student athletes, and had nothing to do with discipline or academics. Just that the athletic dept. didn't want (or could no longer afford) to have so many walk on athletes in the program.
Could be Title IX related.
barry mccockiner wrote:
[quote]A realistic-speaking troll wrote:
Could be Title IX related.
Could be right, and that's the kind of thing that really gets me about Title IX. I'm all for having equal opportunity even to the point of equal scholarships. But don't let a bunch of tight-assed bean counters tell a bunch of hard working kids, not even on scholarship, that they are no longer welcome to participate on a program like that. A total crock, and the enforcers of such rules deserve a lifetime of daily wedgies.
I was told that a lot of the kids that were cut were told they could run track, but technically couldn't be on the XC roster. But yes, some were flat out just cut from the program.
Former Pilot wrote:
I do know a guy who did get the boot, but that involved a situation where there was an issue outside the program and they were no longer a student at UP. The only way I could see what you describe as happening is if a group were in serious violation of athetic dept/school/ or academic rules where that was warranted, which if that was the case they wouldn't advertise it since it's a private matter.
A good reason not to secretly film your conquests and break down the game film with your teammates.