I could not be more pleased by the courage and grit of our team in Fayetteville. We advanced slightly more than we hoped to advance to Eugene. Specifically, our athletes produced 53 competitive efforts out of 58 competitive opportunities. It was as efficient as any team effort I have been privileged to join.

College track athletes in the 21^st century are no better or more courageous than previous generations of college track athletes, but since 2004, when regionals were installed, the qualifying demands are more burdensome. It was certainly a grind to compete bravely at conference, only to turn around and compete ten days later at the world’s best track meet – the NCAA Outdoor Championships! Now, after the conference meet, today’s college athlete must survive and advance through the NCAA preliminary round additionally, which requires full competitive zeal if one is to earn their spot at the Outdoor Championships. It has changed the very nature of what it takes, and what it means, to be a college track and field athlete.

That three meet gauntlet is hard to negotiate for athletes, as well as coaches.

As shortcomings now are hotly exposed (just as they are in the NBA playoffs), All of these elements are critical for success:

Championship intensity

Health maintenance

Balancing training and recovery

Task Focus /Process Orientation

Courage

Allegiance to Team Priorities

Track and Field athletes must have the courage of and physical stamina of boxers, who are justly revered as warriors. Track and Field is the real “sweet science” though. So, to all the amazing athletes who test themselves time and again for self and for TEAM, I applaud you and acknowledge your singular bravery which athletes in most sports do not have to bear. Just because the four letter network does not understand your amazing competitive intensity, does not mean it is any less impressive.  

Some perspective: About 70 schools score at the NCAA Meet each year – two more than receive a bid to the NCAA basketball tournament.

If a school simply “makes” the NCAA basketball tournament, it is wildly celebrated, even for the elite basketball programs. If a team is 62^nd at the NCAA track meet, it is far from celebrated, perhaps it is even derided. (Think for a moment how many schools do not even score at the NCAA meet!)

While I hope I am considered an advocate for track and field, I am only trying to be an advocate for logic and fair evaluation.

Why is being 16^th in basketball or baseball ‘great’, while being 16^th in T&F represents invisibility at the least and failure at the most?

I find that reality offensive. I have theories as to why it is that way, but alas, that is fodder for another day.

I want to suggest that being 32^nd in T&F is comparable to winning a first round game in the NCAA basketball tournament, or better, because track is an open competition where you run, jump, and throw against everybody else simultaneously. Every school at the NCAA track meet will be measured against our point total AND OUR TOTAL WILL BE MEASURED AGAINST EVERY OTHER SCHOOL’S. In every case, it is all against one. There is no hiding. There is no dodging of opponents. No quarter is given and none is asked. And we do this twice per year (if once were not enough) at conference and NCAA. Don’t try that at home!

Strength and Grace and Courage to all athletes and coaches in our beautiful sport.

Have a great meet in Eugene or where you happen to be engaged.