• Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Login
  • Register
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home Track & Field

RunBlogRun’s Ten Questions: Jim Spier and the NSSF

Larry EderbyLarry Eder
January 9, 2008
0
0 0
0
SHARES
0
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

About a decade ago, a former president of the Unites States spoke of a thousand points of light. If there was anyone this applies to and any group this applies to, it is the NSSF. The NSSF was the brainchild of a few romantics who believed that they could help change the sport of track and field for the better. After fifteen plus years, the NSSF is, arguably, the most significant group, outside of federations and footwear companies, to support events and change in our sport.
Runblogrun spoke with Jim Spier about his origins in the sport, the NSSF, their agenda
and his thoughts on the sport.


RBR 1. Tell us how you got involved in track and field?
JS I’ve always had a love of sport and statistics – and track and field fits that profile very well (I played baseball in high school but followed the track team very closely. Art Gulden of my high school [Plainedge, North Massapequa, NY] had just broken 50.0 for 440 yards in 1960, and I wondered how close it was to the National Record (Art eventually became the Bucknell coach). I snooped around and saw that the NR was held by Ulis Williams in something like 46.1. I was blown away! And the other national records were staggering as well. That’s when I really got interested.
RBR 2. Tell us about the first Indoor champs you put on? What did you learn from this?
JS I actually put on the Record Assault Invitational (ROI) at Yale U in 1983, which led to the 1984 National Scholastic Indoor Champs in Princeton with Mike Byrnes and Tracy Sundlun. I learned 1) do not be intimidated by high school associations, but try to work with them – there is always a solution; 2) that anything is possible – it’s often a matter of dedication and sticktoitiveness – and, occasionally, money.
RBR 3. Tell us abut the NSSF? Can people still join? What were your goals, what are they now?
JS We started in 1990 (Mike Byrnes and me) in order to help those who could not afford to get to the USATF Junior Champs. (The only way to make the US Junior team is to get to the USATF Junior Champs. Many could not afford to do so. As such, the U.S. was not always sending the best kids). We thought that we would be flooded with money as soon as we announced the concept. We were sorely mistaken. Ultimately, the way we did raise money was to put on events such as what are now called the Nike Indoor Nationals and Nike Outdoor Nationals. Along the way, we have gotten significant help from, among others, Bob Baxter of the USATF Junior Olympics when they were held in Chapel Hill in 1991, George Steinbrenner, OJ Simpson and Marion Jones! People, of course, can still make donations. We are a tax-exempt non-profit (501.c.3.) corporation. We have spent over $1.1 million dollars helping athletes over the years, and now average $100,000 plus per year.
RBR 4. For those who do not know, give us the overall view of your events during the season?
JS We own and operate the following:
March Nike Indoor Nationals – since 1999 (was the Nationals Scholastic Indoor Track and Field Championships from 1984-1997, at which time we split with the Metropolitan Athletics Congress and formed our own – NIN – event.)
June Nike Outdoor Nationals – since 1991 with various names. Nike has been our sponsor for the last
four years
June Caribbean Scholastic Invitational – this will be the third year of sending a team of 28 athletes to
compete against Caribbean nations.
October Great American Cross Country Festival.
We operate, on behalf of Nike:
November Seven Nike Team Nationals Regional Championships
December Nike Team Nationals Finals
We also have a Select Meet Program, where we sponsor athletes to a dozen or so high end track meets (Arcadia, Taco Bell, Mobile Meet of Champions) yearly.
Finally, we support 40 athletes to the USATF Junior Champs. (Nike has provided gear for these athletes).
RBR 5. If a young athlete or school can not afford to come to an event, can you help them? ( If this question gets you in trouble, delete, it, I just do not know all of those rules).
JS We try to help financially challenged athletes whom we deem worthy of support
RBR 6. If you were speaking to high school coaches, why should they try and get their kids to Nike Indoor, Outdoor?
JS Because they will get a great experience where THEY come first. Historically the best races of the respective season have been contested at both of those meets.
RBR 7. Nike Team Nationals is the cross country series, where can it go from here?
JS Ultimately, the desire is to have it like the NCAA XC meet. That is, the inclusion of individuals. There is also some thought to expand the international portion (adding other countries besides Kenya).
RBR 8. Tell us about your team at NSSF?
JS We now have 3 full time employees – AJ Holzherr (Director of Business Development), Joy Kamani (our attorney and COO) and me (Executive Director). We bring in a dedicated and talented crew of 20-30 for each of our meets – sort of like a “swat” team that comes in and runs the meet. Mike Byrnes is Meet Director Emeritus for all of our meets.
RBR 9. If someone wanted to help, how could they work with you?
JS We can always use volunteers at any of our events. All they have to do is ask.
RBR 10. What was your favorite moment in cross, indoor and outdoor in 2007?
JS XC – the experience the kids have at the NTN finals – from the fun on the Nike campus to the competition on the course to the interaction between the US kids and the Kenyan athletes.
Indoor – Sean Holston running 21.53 and 47.12 – back to back (only 10 minutes between races) – a better double (believe it or not) than Lashawn Merritt’s several years before (which I thought would never be topped).
Outdoor – the unbelievable boys’ 2 mile won by Matt Centrowitz, Jr. in the low 8:40s (Where the C heat was won in 9:05 and the B heat in 8:55!)
For more information on NSSF, click: http://www.nationalscholastic.org

RelatedPosts

Anna Hall answers a few questions from RunBlogRun after her American record

2024 U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS – MARATHON QUALIFICATIONS, from USATF website

Coffee With Larry, Peachtree sign ups begin today, Eilish McColgan speaks, GAM media conference, why it’s so important, a new track at Stadio Olimpico Roma!

Author

  • Larry Eder
    Larry Eder

    Larry Eder has had a 50-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."

    View all posts

Previous Post

Kajsa Bergqvist has retired

Next Post

Masback Resigns as CEO of USATF, Heading to Nike

Larry Eder

Larry Eder

Larry Eder has had a 50-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."

Similar Post

Anna Hall answers a few questions from RunBlogRun after her American record
Interviews

Anna Hall answers a few questions from RunBlogRun after her American record

March 29, 2023
Bank of America to be Presenting Partner of the Boston Marathon
News

Coffee With Larry, Bank of America is first presenting sponsor of Boston Marathon, adidas Atlanta City Games coming, Night of 10,000m PBs coming soon!

March 29, 2023
The 2023 European Athletics Indoor Championships
Training Tips

2023 RunBlogRun Spring Training for the Middle Distances, Week 3, Day 2, Tuesday is for tempo runs!

March 29, 2023
Eilish McColgan: Nine Questions

Eilish McColgan: Nine Questions

March 27, 2023
Darryl Neita’s “fantastic season” , part 3
Deji's Doodles

2023 Deji’s Doodles #6: Jackson runs world lead in the women’s 400m, Garcia breaks the 35km world record in Slovakia as Richardson set to match up with Fraser-Pryce in Botswana

March 27, 2023
Bank of America to be Presenting Partner of the Boston Marathon

The Boston Marathon now has its first presenting sponsor, The Bank of America, Five Talking Points

March 27, 2023

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe to RunBlogRun's Global News Feed

Wake up to RunBlogRun’s news in your inbox. Sign up for our newsletter and we’ll keep you informed about the Sport you love.

*we hate spam as much as you do

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
USATF / Day Four:  USA’s Assembled Team Is Ready!

Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

July 5, 2022
What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

July 17, 2022
Oregon 22 World Athletics Champs: False Starts reconsidered

Oregon 22 World Athletics Champs: False Starts reconsidered

November 18, 2022

(RBR Archives) Coaching 101: Warm Up & Cool Down for the Jumps, by Roy Stevenson, note by Larry Eder

April 1, 2022
Asafa Powell, Considering Longevity in Sprinting

The RunBlogrun Interview: Asafa Powell

5
What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

5
TCS New York City Marathon Broadcast to be Available in More Than 530 Million Homes Around the World on Sunday, November 6

RunblogRun Editorial: The Sorry State of Running Television Coverage, by Peter Abraham, note by Larry Eder

4
2022 Munich Diary, Day Five, a Great Friday Night

2023 European Athletics Indoor Champs, The Women’s 60m, who will win the final tonight?

4
Anna Hall answers a few questions from RunBlogRun after her American record

Anna Hall answers a few questions from RunBlogRun after her American record

March 29, 2023
Bank of America to be Presenting Partner of the Boston Marathon

Coffee With Larry, Bank of America is first presenting sponsor of Boston Marathon, adidas Atlanta City Games coming, Night of 10,000m PBs coming soon!

March 29, 2023
The 2023 European Athletics Indoor Championships

2023 RunBlogRun Spring Training for the Middle Distances, Week 3, Day 2, Tuesday is for tempo runs!

March 29, 2023
Eilish McColgan: Nine Questions

Eilish McColgan: Nine Questions

March 27, 2023

Popular Stories

  • USATF / Day Four:  USA’s Assembled Team Is Ready!

    Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Oregon 22 World Athletics Champs: False Starts reconsidered

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • (RBR Archives) Coaching 101: Warm Up & Cool Down for the Jumps, by Roy Stevenson, note by Larry Eder

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • The curious case of Sha’Carri Richardson: How can the sprinter turn around her career?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Recent Tweets

RunBlogRun Follow

RunBlogRun comments on the global world of athletics, sports & ethics, and the Olympic movement. RunBlogRun is the voice of the sport.

RunBlogRun
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
25 Mar

This is the review of the Brooks Hyperion Max training shoe for #ForShoeGeeks, by #RunBlogRun, https://bit.ly/3z2V84f , #brooksrunning, #hyperionmax, #runhappy, #tracklife, #trackandfield, #runningcommunity, #runningshoes, #runningshoereview,

Reply on Twitter 1639463192287133697 Retweet on Twitter 1639463192287133697 Like on Twitter 1639463192287133697 2 Twitter 1639463192287133697
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
25 Mar

This is the review of the #NewBalance1080, #freshfoam, by #TheShoeGeeks,
https://bit.ly/3FPQPx4, #shoereviews, #runningnetwork, #runblogrun, #newbalance, #runningcommuninity, #runningshoes, #newbalancerunning,

Reply on Twitter 1639460305318334465 Retweet on Twitter 1639460305318334465 Like on Twitter 1639460305318334465 1 Twitter 1639460305318334465
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
25 Mar

This is Coffee With Larry for Friday, March 24, 2023, https://bit.ly/3FRLWU6, #peachtreeroadrace, #adidasrunning, #worldchamps, #asicsrunning, #worldathletics,

Reply on Twitter 1639446531995758593 Retweet on Twitter 1639446531995758593 Like on Twitter 1639446531995758593 Twitter 1639446531995758593
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
25 Mar

Today is a recovery day, and you will enjoy it! https://bit.ly/3TPEqyU , Workout for 2023 RunBlogRun Spring Training Week 2, Day 5, and we take a recovery day! #track, #trackandfield, #tracklife, #TheTEN, #soundrunning,

Reply on Twitter 1639439220019453952 Retweet on Twitter 1639439220019453952 Like on Twitter 1639439220019453952 Twitter 1639439220019453952
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
25 Mar

Noah Lyles was a busy guy in Vegas! @lylesnoah, @adidasrunning, @gamupdates, @LanceBrauman, @PUREathletic

RunBlogRun @RunBlogRun

Did interview @lylesnoah on Thursday! Watch for 2 interviews coming with Noah on #runblogrun! He was very busy during the @gamupdates medai/business conference, with a 12 plus interviews, 4 podcasts, training, @adidasrunning, #kevinmorris, #gucci, @pureathletic, @lancebrauman

Reply on Twitter 1639434289396719616 Retweet on Twitter 1639434289396719616 Like on Twitter 1639434289396719616 Twitter 1639434289396719616
Load More...
Next Post

Masback Resigns as CEO of USATF, Heading to Nike

runblogrun

RunBlogRun comments on the global world of athletics, sports & ethics, and the Olympic movement. @runblogrun

Browse by Category

Newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates direct to your inbox!

  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Home page
  • My Account
  • Sample Page

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

Select a password for yourself. (minimum length of 8)

Paste here the user biography.

Provide here the twitter screen name. i.e. @RunBlogRun

Provide here the instagram screen name. i.e. @RunBlogRun

Provide here the facebook profile URL. i.e. http://www.facebook.com/RunBlogRun

Provide here the linkedin profile URL. i.e. https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-eder-5497253

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist