The Toni & Matt Show #16 [66:52m]:
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USATF board member Stephanie Hightower discusses the state of of our sport AND our governing body. The LA Marathon is sold; Chris Devine apologizes. Tiger Woods does it again. Meb is ready. Athlete values rise and fall at NCAA Champs. It’s all on today’s episode of the Toni & Matt Show.
The Big Story - Stephanie Hightower joins us in the “studio” from Ohio. The four-time U.S. 100m hurdles champion and 1980 Olympic Team member, Hightower currently serves on the board of USATF and is the chair of USATF’s Women’s Track and Field Committee. In today’s discussion she responds to the demand from USOC for USATF to restructure. Is this a chance to split the organization into different governing bodies (e.g., race walking, track & field, youth, masters, ultra, etc)? Yes, but no. We find out where things stand in the CEO search. Will we have a new one by June 27th, the start of the US Olympic Trials? Sounds doubtful. And Matt digs in about the presentation of our sport on television and in person. What happens in the board room - are their conversations about what the fans want? A great conversation, and some great insight into the challenges facing USATF in this CEO-less Olympic year.
Quick News: The LA Marathon is sold. Tiger wins on Monday, which Toni loves. But Matt argues that the US Open got really, really lucky. Toni puts an end to the LetsRun rumors - Meb is healthy and ready to go, according to his brother and agent, Merhawi. And what athletes gained and lost value at this year’s NCAA meet?
Major Russ Stewart calls in from Tikrit, Iraq. If you listen to only two-minutes of the show, these are the two minutes you want to listen to. The Tikrit Running Club is up and running (who wants a t-shirt?), Russ roots for Webb and laments people who don’t consider Bernard Lagat an American. Thanks Russ. Stay safe!
What do you think? Call us at 206-888-0346 or email to comments (at) runnerville (dot) com.
[Music is “Keep on Running” by The Trojans.]
A full debrief of the Olympic Trials with special guest Coach Vin Lananna (co-chair of the Eugene ‘08 organizing committee and director of track & field at the University of Oregon). Toni and Matt kick off the show with their assessment of the Trials - the highs and lows, surprises and disappointments - before bringing on Coach Lananna, who gives a candid recap of the show.What lived up to his expectations? What can be improved for 2012? How do we make the sport more professional? Can USATF succeed in Indianapolis? This and more on the Toni & Matt Show.