Gags chooses Nike OTC over Brooks Beasts

YES!!!!!!!

I don't think there is an issue of Brooks vs Nike (at least I hope not). I was simply trying to point out how it might seem a little unfair to be swapped off the team from Heath's perspective. Again, its not just an issue of Heath vs. Casey. You are correct that Heath has never made an outdoor team but neither has Leer or Torrence, and all 3 guys are about the same age (28). All the team members except Manzano have run their PRs in the last year, so its not really the same as going back to some outdated PR.

I just think that their needs to be some objective measures for how these decisions are made, and someone needs to be accountable for them. My previous post was just laying out some objective reasons for why Heath has a strong case to be on the team. I hope he was at least given some sort of legitimate explanation for being removed.

I personally don't think getting a guy future experience was a deciding factor at all in this case, but if it was, I think that's an unfair decision, especially when there is a significant amount of prize money on the line and an opportunity to set world and national records. In each event, the winner receives $50,000, 2nd get $30,00 and 3rd gets $20,000. In a sport where this event could be a very significant payday for just about any athlete, objectivity and accountability are a must.

You guys don't know what you're talking about. Pat isn't a Nike athlete. He isn't on contract with Nike. He isn't even coached by Rowland. He is coached more by Ian Dobson, Row doesn't give him the attention he deserves. This is just a matter that Pat has been on fire this season. He's the best man for the job and Gags made the right decision.

Who Are You Clowns? wrote:

You guys make good cases for taking Heath over Casey. I wasn't trying to start that debate. What I really had an issue with was the idea the Gags would choose a Nike athlete over a Brooks athlete because of the track club he runs for. That is what the title of the thread implies and what I was reading in the thread when I wrote my post yesterday.

But since some people wrote some well thought out, intelligent responses, I'll keep it going. Let's continue to assume that no promises were made . . .

This is a ridiculous thread to keep going if there were no promises. If it was Gags' decision, I don't see any conflict. As far as I know, he is not affiliated with either shoe company directly. Some good arguments have been made for Heath over Casey (and he would be my pick) but if there were no promises, there is no issue.

Stop trying to make out Heath to be older than he is. He is 28. His next B-day is in 6 months, not next week.

Gags admitted to going back on the original promise made to Heath. That is why his coach said something about being confused (Mackey didn't call any athlete or any brand out) when a reported asked him. Go ask Lear, Torrence, Leo, or Gags, they all knew the team a few weeks ago up until the guess the change this week. It is not an athlete versus athlete issue but a problematic decision process that hurts the athlete.

Doesn't Seem Fair wrote:

I personally don't think getting a guy future experience was a deciding factor at all in this case, but if it was, I think that's an unfair decision, especially when there is a significant amount of prize money on the line and an opportunity to set world and national records. In each event, the winner receives $50,000, 2nd get $30,00 and 3rd gets $20,000. In a sport where this event could be a very significant payday for just about any athlete, objectivity and accountability are a must.

This is a really good point. To be honest, I didn't fully realize how big this event would be until I watched some of it last night. Whatever. I hope they win tonight and I hope Heath runs a big 1500 pr this season.

Well pat killed it. So right choice was made.

Hmmm. 'Gags'...would you like to work for 2 million per year or throw your career away working for free with Brooks?

Hmmm. 'Gags'...would you like to work for 2 million per year or throw your career away working for free with Brooks?

aces_across_town wrote:

Well pat killed it.

+1. Heath also headed for good things this season.

No. I don't care if Pat ran 3:15. If the allegations are true Pat's time is irrelevant.

Well if a promise was broken...bear with me here this may be a tough mental jump for you guys...then it was broken because of a decision between the two runners. So it kind of does matter.

As for transparency in the decision process people are right on, but in this case it seems like they just haven't figured their stuff in the first year of the event (which is typical of USATF).

Here's a video of Gags filming one of his relay teams way back when. Skip to the end to get a feel for what his decision process would've been like after watching Casey beat Heath at Oxy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CexhVbuBrwk

Nothing you write is convincing. You first line is painful to read.

That video does nothing for me. It's simple. If you promise an athlete a spot, then stick to your word. Athletes train for certain events. To tell a guy he has a spot and then take it away...that's bad for the sport. Do you really not understand that? Talk about a "tough mental jump".