Arena Track wrote:
That was then. This is now. Nobody wants to run on the small arena tracks anymore due to slow times. Sunkist and Cow Palace meets died long ago. All the top preps choose the PAC-10 and west now just the same as in college football.
Another reason to discontinue this meet. If it's going to Albuquerque, great, but meets that were held back in the 70's died there, too.
Pro Track indoors is like going to one of those fly by night circuses that come to small towns. They make believe they are big time, but sell old peanuts, has been entertainment and cotton candy.
USA Track would be better served by building up it's outdoor track circuit, running from the end of June until the end of August, in harmony with the meets in Europe. By running some of their meets after the college season is over, they can build up some of their talent with recent college grads and provide some local identity to the meet. Have meets in Gainesville, Waco, Eugene and other locations where track means something to the fans. Include college athletes again so that the fan base can expand.
Indoor track used to have a good fan base because there was a good mix of college and international talent competing together on the same stage.
Pro track is still too disorganized and great competition between the top athletes doesn't happen often enough to warrant fan enthusiasm. The same thing is happening with the Millrose Games, a shell of its self. Sad, but true.