The other 2 have both beaten MB so not knowing them is weird. Hacker won NCAAs. Davis ran pretty fast at sound running. 3:33:81. Not sure how many Americans have run faster this year?
Olin Hacker had a good race after an uneven running career, but then again he is sub-13:20, but that NCAA champion isn't equivalent to several years of consistent production. To me someone like Brandon Garnica, Robet Brandt or Thomas Radcliffe
WTF is the deal? These 3 guys all have proven themselves and can’t get a deal? NAZ, Hansons, Zap, the new Under Armor group in Baltimore or any other fully funded group hasn’t stepped up. Why? What am I missing?
VNTC is not a fully funded group.
So what will sponsors receive in return for giving $$$ in contracts? There is little interest in people paying to watch track meets unless they participate or coach. Do you buy a pair of shoes because Olin Hacker wears them? Hell no. Look at Eugene. World championships can't fill a stadium - a stadium that is so far from civilization that finding a hotel less than an hour away is a challenge.
WTF is the deal? These 3 guys all have proven themselves and can’t get a deal? NAZ, Hansons, Zap, the new Under Armor group in Baltimore or any other fully funded group hasn’t stepped up. Why? What am I missing?
WTF is the deal? These 3 guys all have proven themselves and can’t get a deal? NAZ, Hansons, Zap, the new Under Armor group in Baltimore or any other fully funded group hasn’t stepped up. Why? What am I missing?
The issue with Hacker is that he needs to run sub 13:10 and or win a national title to get a substantial contract. His NCAA win was good but doesn't carry a lot of weight due to him being 25 years old. The roads, X-C, and some solid track times with a big win somewhere seem to be the best options.
Olin Hacker had exactly one good race in seven years of college. He should get a haircut, get a job, and keep training if he wants. If he stays healthy and improves someone may offer him a deal, but he is owed nothing.
Maybe you ought to take a look at his season. He really did not run a bad race, in addition of winning the NCAA race he had a sub 13:20 run essentially solo without all the big league players running in a line (which is why I thought that he was the best one in that 5000 field). He is also really, really smart and hard working.
WTF is the deal? These 3 guys all have proven themselves and can’t get a deal? NAZ, Hansons, Zap, the new Under Armor group in Baltimore or any other fully funded group hasn’t stepped up. Why? What am I missing?
VNTC is not a fully funded group.
So what will sponsors receive in return for giving $ in contracts? There is little interest in people paying to watch track meets unless they participate or coach. Do you buy a pair of shoes because Olin Hacker wears them? Hell no. Look at Eugene. World championships can't fill a stadium - a stadium that is so far from civilization that finding a hotel less than an hour away is a challenge.
You're investing in their social media following and their potential. I guarantee that there are many kids out there who try products and buy spikes and shoes based off of the runners they follow on social media. I'm not sure if you actually went to worlds or just watched online but I went and had no trouble finding a place to stay for a good price near Eugene and the stadium was packed for the finals, it was a fantastic atmosphere.
Hacker won the NCAA 5k last month. Davis was 2nd at the US championships 1500 and ran 3:33. If you don't know them, you literally don't know anyone.
And he is already 25?
Sorry dude, but a graduating 25 yr old prospect wanting to go pro is a lot different than a graduating 22 yr old, or a graduating high schooler, in terms of their potential upside (assuming their times are in the same ballpark.)
Let's say I'm a shoe company exec, why should I give a contract to any of these three? What value will they provide to my brand? These guys are asking for sponsorship rather than a salary so they have to provide value. They can only do that through exceptional performance or exceptional charisma. Do any of the provide those things? Shoe companies aren't charities. If you want to be a pro then go out and win prize money, that's what second and third tier East African runners do.