This has been true for a long time! It’s just a fun meet where the kids get recognized and coaches can hang out with their friends and talk trash… track is about running fast times or doing other things far, it’s honestly kinda crazy that anyone ever cared about actually scoring a track meet.
Ever? Actually, for the top couple teams its fun because everyone knows that one extra point could be the difference. If 3 teams are close, even better. Nonetheless, even the middle of the pack schools show team spirit and theres an overall commaraderie between conference rivals. Ive been to all power 5 conference meets and a few mid major meets multiple times and ive yet to see any school not celebrate as a program as they took their league trophy for a victory lap. Thats the last time a lot of friends will compete with, for and against each other. So, even in modern individualistic, selfish times, it still means a lot to them. Sorry if youve never been a part of a fun, caring program. I knew the majors of most of my conference competition for 4 years and it was fun checking in with each other before trying to kick each others heads in. Nationals obviously is a whole othwr ball game and doesnt involve most. All business for the individual or relay. Conference reflects total program. Some balanced teams still do well at nationals and take conference very seriously. Arkansas, Oregon (used to), others used to as well, USC, UCLA etc...but yeah, its changed for a lot. Most coaches just dont want to work at it that much anymore. Stanford pulls out a natty trophy with a couple guys isnt a team effort for sure.
So, maybe the answer is to have a true team scored meet with the top 8 ranked teams the week of conferences and keep the traditional ncaa meet without the team score at the end of the season?
It’s never been important outside the resume of the ad or some coaching bonus. Before regionals any runner would rather be at mt sac or Stanford for a q time then win a conference race
it’s honestly kinda crazy that anyone ever cared about actually scoring a track meet.
the score is what justifies balanced teams. Otherwise track would just be off season training for football.
I think that’s my point… No one cares about balanced teams, they care about winning individual championships… Usain Bolt wasn’t disappointed because he got a world record and gold medal but the random long jumpers and javelin throwers on his team didn’t score points… Track is also off-season training for cross country along with football… track keeps the NCAA alive!
When Texas and Oklahoma become members, the SEC Outdoor meet will be the premier meet in the country. Imagine if the conference title comes come to the 4X400 in a league with Texas, Texas A&M, LSU, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, etc. The NCAA finals may become secondary.
Ever? Actually, for the top couple teams its fun because everyone knows that one extra point could be the difference. If 3 teams are close, even better. Nonetheless, even the middle of the pack schools show team spirit and theres an overall commaraderie between conference rivals. Ive been to all power 5 conference meets and a few mid major meets multiple times and ive yet to see any school not celebrate as a program as they took their league trophy for a victory lap. Thats the last time a lot of friends will compete with, for and against each other. So, even in modern individualistic, selfish times, it still means a lot to them. Sorry if youve never been a part of a fun, caring program. I knew the majors of most of my conference competition for 4 years and it was fun checking in with each other before trying to kick each others heads in. Nationals obviously is a whole othwr ball game and doesnt involve most. All business for the individual or relay. Conference reflects total program. Some balanced teams still do well at nationals and take conference very seriously. Arkansas, Oregon (used to), others used to as well, USC, UCLA etc...but yeah, its changed for a lot. Most coaches just dont want to work at it that much anymore. Stanford pulls out a natty trophy with a couple guys isnt a team effort for sure.
So, maybe the answer is to have a true team scored meet with the top 8 ranked teams the week of conferences and keep the traditional ncaa meet without the team score at the end of the season?
The answer is to change the strange concept that XC is some sort of subset of track. Give XC their own scholarships separate from track ( and for those of you who say it can't be done... it can and it would be a simple fix).
This would force coaches and ADs to focus on each sport separately instead of the picking and choosing that goes on now. It would force balanced track teams and actual make scoring track meets more important.
That won't happen of course but that's the solution.
I ran college track three decades ago. Our team was mediocre on a good day. Qualifying for nationals wasn't even a consideration for us.
The conference meet was our Super Bowl. We aimed all our training around peaking for conference, and we judged our whole season by how we did in that meet.
If we'd been good enough to aim for nationals, we might have viewed conference as just another meet. We weren't, so conference was everything to us.
I ran college track three decades ago. Our team was mediocre on a good day. Qualifying for nationals wasn't even a consideration for us.
The conference meet was our Super Bowl. We aimed all our training around peaking for conference, and we judged our whole season by how we did in that meet.
If we'd been good enough to aim for nationals, we might have viewed conference as just another meet. We weren't, so conference was everything to us.
I'm a coach in the MIAA (a strong D2 conference) and I strongly agree with you Old hobby jogger. Conference is huge for our kids and you can tell it means a lot to every time there, even Pitt State who are constantly vying for national titles. It's such a fun atmosphere, especially when there's a team taking a run at Pitt, adds some spice to the meet
When Texas and Oklahoma become members, the SEC Outdoor meet will be the premier meet in the country. Imagine if the conference title comes come to the 4X400 in a league with Texas, Texas A&M, LSU, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, etc. The NCAA finals may become secondary.
How you didn’t start that list with Arkansas is beyond understanding