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"Shin Splints"
A Blog by Doug Logan

The March of the Penguins

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

It is late January, and across much of the country, the weather has turned arctic. Sheets of ice glaze paths that were once the stomping grounds of skateboarders, runners, walkers and cyclists. The biting air that nips the noses of some seemingly freezes the lungs of others.

It is time for the March of the Penguins.

Track fans in the New York area need not migrate to the Central Park Zoo to witness this annual ritual. Instead, they can take the #1, 2 or 3 subway lines to Penn Station, ride a few escalators, and on Friday night find themselves in Madison Square Garden, where the March of the Penguins is but one of many necessary elements of the Millrose Games.

Poised on the precipice of its 103rd running, Millrose evokes different memories and images for different people. I attended this hallowed harbinger of the indoor season for the first time in 1962. I have this vague recollection of a $0.15 draft beer or two or three at Dempsey's before the meet. This was the first time I saw John Thomas high-jump. I recall the 16-foot barrier in the pole vault was broken for the first time by a Marine, John Uelses, using a new-fangled fiberglass pole. I remember my Manhattan Jasper half-mile relay being nipped at the tape by both Georgetown and Holy Cross after we led for most of the race. However, last year -- my first Millrose as CEO of USA Track & Field -- the image that stuck in my mind was the March of the Penguins.

For those who haven't been to the Garden for Millrose, what I am talking about is the assemblage of meet officials literally covering the intimate infield of the 11-laps-to-the-mile track, all sporting tuxedos. I'm not sure how far back this tradition reaches, although I am sure my esteemed colleague, longtime Millrose meet director and walking factotum Howard Schmertz, could tell me without the slightest hesitation.

Millrose aficionados describe the days when the meet was a premier social event on the island of Manhattan, the sporting equivalent of going to the Metropolitan Opera House for a performance of Don Giovanni. The two occasions one was sure to see tuxedos at Toots Shor's watering hole were after a Heavyweight Championship fight or on a Millrose night. Photos from the last century show men in suits and women in their finest in the stands of the Garden, watching as tuxedoed officials held the finish-line tape for Tom Courtney, Horace Ashenfelter, Glenn Cunningham, Ron Delany, Steve Scott, Kip Keino and Marty Liquori.

Just as all of America has gone "business casual", so has Millrose, or at least Millrose fans. The officials have kept up the tradition.

Indeed, "tradition" is the word that most comes to mind when people think of Millrose. No meet on U.S. soil is so rife with sacred tradition, and none so frowns upon what it considers to be sacrilege.

As one of the people whose responsibility it is to make the Millrose Games a sporting event with broad appeal -- which is a quality it had "back in the day" -- I view my biggest challenge as taking creative innovations off the "no fly list" and integrating them into the meet. Ideally, we can do that without causing apoplexy in the hearts and minds of the traditionalists.

For the meet to survive, to say nothing of thrive, we need to introduce innovations that will appeal to the new fans we want to attract to the Garden and to our TV shows, without alienating the faithful.

In recent years, new elements have been introduced, including a "speed jump" in the women's high jump, a showcased men's shot put and the introduction of music into the competition. But we need more and better, and more mainstream innovations to get Millrose into this century.

One small step we have implemented this year is the "Super 60" (or as I like to call it, the Super LX), a race of current and former NFL players, a few of them major stars. It is an example of how we aim to "mainstream" the meet while keeping it true to track and field traditions. Take athletes in this country's most popular sport (football), put them back on the surface where they got their start (the track) and let 'er rip. Fans might be amazed to see that people they thought were fast might not live up to the hype, while others they have written off are spoilers. Comparing the times of the Super LX to the professional men's 60 also will illustrate the difference between football speed and track speed.

That said, we are fully cognizant and respectful of the imperative that we must preserve the traditions -- some quirky, some stodgy, and some wonderful -- that make Millrose the unique event that it is. I have instructed the USATF staff attending the event to be appropriately dressed in the uniform of the day, tuxedos. We will assist in maintaining the values of the event.

Due to the size of the Garden, the 11-lap track will always be there. The Wanamaker Mile will always be the signature event. Track lovers from Coney Island will always sit next to Wall Street tycoons. Concession workers will always halt the vending of their wares to cheer a close finish.

And, of course, we'll always have the March of the Penguins.

COMMENTS
For me... A hundred dollars is a lot to pay for any event that does not have a premium distance event beyond a mile. There are better high school meets that are much less expensive to watch. Soon, if not already - the penguins will out number the fans.
Posted by: Leo on 1/27/2010 11:56:48 AM PT
A hundred dollars for a ticket?? I paid $11 for mine. I have a seat in the best section,the top -right near the beer stand and the bathroom. That's where the track fans are plus no one is yelling at you to sit in your seat. I can't wait!!!!!
Posted by: Bob Orazem on 1/27/2010 1:45:43 PM PT
How does an official who has worked the Olympic Trials, and will work the USATF Outdoor this summer, and is a master certified official ever get a shot at working this meet? Can someone help with an answer to this question? How do you get to become a penguin?
Posted by: Jerry Carpenter on 1/27/2010 3:36:51 PM PT
As sports go that one hundred dollars or less for a ticket is a bargain. You would pay much more than that for a ticket to a nascar event just to watch parity as restrictor plates and caution flags limit competition. Figure skating is just so judgemental. But when that gun goes off or they call your name to jump or throw its pure unadultrated competition, may the best athlete win, no holds barred. Bring on Millrose and the march of the penguins.
Posted by: Jim Flanik on 1/27/2010 4:18:07 PM PT
USATF should have the NFL run the organization. This is comical that you have to bring in former NFL All-pros to promote your sport. Maybe the current employees aren't cut out for the positions. Lets see some real professionals. I guess it does make sense, since track and field all-stars are either getting busted driving drunk, illegal drug use or are in jail.
Posted by: Doug Spade on 1/27/2010 4:36:20 PM PT
I was at the Millrose Games at which John Uelses broke the 16-ft barrier and where my friend Dr. Jack Reilly running for Georgetown, giving up a 50m lead to Manhattan and Holy Cross, ran down Manhattan and was just barely nipped at the line by HC. It was one of the most amazing races that I have ever seen.
Posted by: Don Betowski on 1/27/2010 4:43:55 PM PT
This meet is an anachronism and needs to go away. The schedule of events is a joke. You can put in all the gimmicks that you want but until you can squeeze a 200 meter banked track in there and get the colleges to return, the meet will be a farce. BTW, the endurance events are not unrepresented; you have to have supreme endurance to sit through the workers taking an hour to reassemble the track. Remember it for what it once was and will never be again.
Posted by: Sam Snead on 1/27/2010 5:45:12 PM PT
Where's the link with the event tickets for sale. I might just become a spectator of the sport, for once! I love that Track's hallowed traditions are still being upheld!
Posted by: Michelle Owens on 1/27/2010 6:40:02 PM PT
I'm glad to hear whenever Holy Cross was able to beat Manhattan. As a former student at Holy Cross I'm always proud of her many talented students.
Posted by: Byron Smith on 1/27/2010 9:30:44 PM PT
Michelle, you can get ticket information at http://www.millrose-games.com/tickets/ We hope to see you there!
Posted by: Jill Geer on 1/28/2010 4:32:02 AM PT
I have been around track for a long time as an open sprinter, coach, an official and now at 65 years of age I continue as a masters sprinter. I have attended Millrose as both competitor and spectator for many years. It was a great meet in the past but it has lost some of it's shine as more and more elite competitors opt out for meets on larger indoor tracks. Let's face it, the Millrose track is a dinosaur.....but that doesn't mean it can't be a fascinating experience for all involved, competitors and spectators alike. Why is it so difficult to put really different event configurations into major indoor meets like Millrose? Why not try ( FOR EXAMPLE) an age distance handicapped 400m race with a competitor from each 10 year age group from 20 yrs. on up? Using the age graded tables to figure distance handicap for each sprinter you could spread them out at the start with the oldest getting the biggest handicap and the youngest starting from scratch. In theory, if you have recruited the fastest sprinters, based on their performances in the 400m in each 10 year age group, any one of the entrants could win. Think about it...a 65 year old sprinter holding off one of the best open sprinters in the world. How could the crowd not love an event like that? T & F has to open up and change its stogy premises if it is gain and hold fans...it has to be more interesting and exciting to a wider audience. Sports is show business and as much as I love track, it has to wake up and try new things to attract new people. These type of events have been contested in Australia for years and are wildly popular. What have you got to lose? Let the patrons decide on it....But give them something to decide about.. Let's try thinking outside the box instead of business as usual. Doug, you could probably get something like this into some kind of competition as an exhibition event....Come on, take a chance...what do you and we have to lose? Long live USATF!!!
Posted by: Roger Pierce on 1/28/2010 8:24:53 AM PT
I have been around track for a long time as an open sprinter, coach, an official and now at 65 years of age I continue as a masters sprinter. I have attended Millrose as both competitor and spectator for many years. It was a great meet in the past but it has lost some of it's shine as more and more elite competitors opt out for meets on larger indoor tracks. Let's face it, the Millrose track is a dinosaur.....but that doesn't mean it can't be a fascinating experience for all involved, competitors and spectators alike. Why is it so difficult to put really different event configurations into major indoor meets like Millrose? Why not try ( FOR EXAMPLE) an age distance handicapped 400m race with a competitor from each 10 year age group from 20 yrs. on up? Using the age graded tables to figure distance handicap for each sprinter you could spread them out at the start with the oldest getting the biggest handicap and the youngest starting from scratch. In theory, if you have recruited the fastest sprinters, based on their performances in the 400m in each 10 year age group, any one of the entrants could win. Think about it...a 65 year old sprinter holding off one of the best open sprinters in the world. How could the crowd not love an event like that? T & F has to open up and change its stogy premises if it is gain and hold fans...it has to be more interesting and exciting to a wider audience. Sports is show business and as much as I love track, it has to wake up and try new things to attract new people. These type of events have been contested in Australia for years and are wildly popular. What have you got to lose? Let the patrons decide on it....But give them something to decide about.. Let's try thinking outside the box instead of business as usual. Doug, you could probably get something like this into some kind of competition as an exhibition event....Come on, take a chance...what do you and we have to lose? Long live USATF!!!
Posted by: Roger Pierce on 1/28/2010 8:25:17 AM PT
Roger, I love the age and distance handicapped race idea. I really think it would not only be exciting to watch but attract more people. In addition, it would show the incredible abilities of all althetes at all ages. This sends a message that track and field is a life long sport.
Posted by: Carla Hoppie on 1/28/2010 4:57:52 PM PT
Dear sir as it relates to marketing of the sport .This meet is in Madison Square Garden, arguably one of the most famous arenas in the world .So to my suprise what was added this year in an effort to shore up the dwindling attendance is more youth and high school races .It would be like Major league baseball or the NFL adding youth events to shore up The all star game.That frankly would nebver happen.secondly it would seem that we dont pay attention.the most popular events these days try to add what track and field has always had .The concept of confrontational marketing.It wasnt until today that i knew that Lagat had a viable opponent.That is your fault not mine because it took me days to find the start list and until today to find that a worthy opponent had been added. Track and field is like a softer version of a boxing match. But you still need to know who the combatants are in order to create interest.Too many of you at USATF are mired in the history and lore of the sport without being cognizant of the fact that marketing in a new way is the most important aspect.give me the confrontations ,get me some quotes from them ,build up the hype.Maintaing values is still great and needed and welcomed but this sport thrives in NY,just take a look at the armory next week Doug or come the next day at the Garden to the Colgate womens Games and you will see your fans.the group to be marketed to in NYC has changed but USATF has yet to truly understand. Most of the people you see at Penn Relays are NY basedyet they dont come to the garden? Now arent these the same people that saved the REEBOK meet ? when MR wetmore and his GA management made it more about being a business and started to create confrontational marketing by bringing the carribbean athletes in .What happened? now it is almost impossible to get a ticket to out of the way Randals island where mind you you must park your car 1 mile away from the stadium and walk yet they dont come to the graden?hmmm
Posted by: patrick on 1/29/2010 10:16:56 AM PT
my final point about creating the right picture for others to see the great value in track and field is in the naming of our athlete of the week! My suggestion is to name a youth ,a master and an elite athlete of the week.the NFL wont be naming little johny from my block as athlete of the week because he scored 6touchdowns in his hS game .Now his accomplishment is great but we send the wrong message when a kid breaks a collegiate record and runs the 5th fastest time ever and we name a master runner as athlete of the week. Now i want to celebrate the master runner but no one will take us seriuosly if we market ourselves incorrectly.Tradition is great,creating strategies that improve the probability for more people to see usatf as a viable marketing vehiclke is greater
Posted by: patrick on 1/29/2010 10:28:15 AM PT
Another point about marketing, there is a major international event tomorrow, 1/30 - Aviva International Match - where Team USA will be competing. For whatever reason, USATF names this event "Five Nations Match" instead and provides no link to the official site on the event page: http://www.uka.org.uk/uka-major-events/2010/aviva-international-match/
Posted by: Jane Runner on 1/29/2010 11:07:33 PM PT
I attended the Millrose Games last night for probably the 20th time, and most likely, the last time. The quality of elite competition was horrible, except for the men's and women's mile runs. If not for the high school events which generated tremendous excitement, the meet would basically have been a total waste of time. During the women's high jump, there was virtually no annpouncing nor posting of heights. The meet website wasn't even completed until days before the event. It certainly didn't help that the top female pole vaulter, Anna Willard and Blanka Vlasic didn't compete either. My grade: D- (I'm being generous here).
Posted by: sid on 1/30/2010 10:04:34 AM PT
This is the Millrose Games, it has been around for more than a 100 years, it is in Madison Square Garden, and it is in the greatest city in the World... there isn't much else needed to be said! The focus needs to be on having the elites race fast and nothing else. No one wants to see NFL payers, old people or kids run at such an elite event. They need to bring in the biggest stars and have them race fast. No other sport has to resort to such mediocre attempts to try and increase popularity of their sport. People go see the Colts because Manning is one of the most amazing players ever, and people go see LeBron play no matter what city he is in, so this leads me to believe that people will go see Gay, Bolt, Hoffa, Isinbaeva, Lagat, Symmonds, Chambers, Richards, and others if it is a true competition and not just a show. This is the underlying problem with our sport. The popularity has declined because the only time you see true competition is at the Olympic Games or a World Championship. Meet directors and athletes 'set-up' races instead of having a true no-guts race to see who is the best. Fans want fierce competition and our races (especially those in the US) are not set-up for this. We need to set egos aside and have the greatest athletes race each other at these few big meets and save all the lame attempts and circus-like events for the non-televised meets.
Posted by: David Watkins on 1/30/2010 10:56:38 AM PT
The concept of the Visa Championship Series is good, but in reality, very few people really give a hoot about it. The $25,000 first place prize (just increased to $30,000) is a joke. USATF proudly announces a $5,000 increase?!?! Visa is a very deep pocket. Have them come up with a $100,000 first prize and then maybe, people will pay attention. Athgletes chase money, that's why most of our elite athletes go to Europe if they're racing indoors (Lolo Jones & David Oliver for example this week).
Posted by: sid on 1/31/2010 11:17:48 AM PT
The finak event of the Boston Indoor Games was the women's 5000 meters. It was bad enough that the TV replay was aired nearly 48 hours after the meet, which meant that if you wanted to watch without knowing the results, one had to stay away from the track websites and newspapers. After commercial, coverage of this race picked up with 2 laps remaining. the start wasn't shown either, to add injury to insult. What a disgrace.
Posted by: sid on 2/7/2010 8:26:38 PM PT
Why do you let hershey track meets be ran during the usatf state meets. This hurts our attendance during our state meets when they our ran on the same day. thank you
Posted by: cortez nichols on 2/7/2010 8:57:23 PM PT
Cortez - you'll find USATF doesn't play well with others. They have no control over the Hershey meets and only accept their advertising money. There is no coordination with the AAU meets either. Kids would be better served of USATF Youth merged with AAU, combining the two largest youth athletics organizations. The current state of affairs is ridiculous, and is only in place because it serves the insular group who control it.
Posted by: Jane Runner on 2/8/2010 8:11:06 PM PT
Sid - If we all drink more of Doug's Koolaid, the world may come to an end too, but you'll never know it - the emperor has no clothes.
Posted by: Jane Runner on 2/8/2010 8:20:09 PM PT
That so few people have posted comments this time, speaks volumes. That's it for me too.
Posted by: sid on 2/9/2010 9:57:18 AM PT
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Photo of Doug Logan Doug Logan is the CEO of USA Track & Field (USATF), the national governing body for track and field, long distance running, and race walking. Headquartered in Indianapolis, the organization has more than 90,000 members throughout the country.