Kicks: Nike Air Max 97 - Playstation

Nike Air max 97 Playstation 3 PS3 Edition have dropped. As the name indicates, these kicks are inspired by the popular Playstation 3 gaming station, with its black colorway and reflective side panel piece. Nike does a nice job of incorporating of mesh and patent leather.

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Changing Face of the Sports World

These are penny-pinching times for all of us.

So what about the declining economy that is hemorraging jobs you ask?  How can sports like track and field develop an aggressive growth strategy in the face of government bailouts and the subprime mortgage bailout.

From his Indianapolis office, Doug Logan believes that he can see the organization’s future.

Earlier this week, the NFL announced the layout off of 10 percent of the staff of its New York headquarters. That followed similar cut-backs by the NBA, NASCAR and Major League Baseball.  Colleges athletic departments are experiencing higher travel costs.  NASCAR and high school sports have been affected the most during the turn down.

Professional sports are far from recession proof but they are thriving at time when entire industries are crumbling.  Team Marketing Report calculates that it now takes $396.36 for a typical family of four to attend an NFL game, $281.90 for the NBA and $191.92 for MLB.

Logan, who leads USATF would like to grow the organizations revenues from $32 million from $16 million and host a world championship meet by 2015.

There is potential for growth.  That is if track and field continues to engage fans like it did at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon and supplement the effort with more professional meets.

Kicks: Puma RS100 Parka

Mixing up materials, Puma dropped their Parka pack. Hooking up the classic PUMA Men’s RS 100 Parka Sneaker runner model, both sneakers feature a love-fest upper consisting of suede, patent leather, nylon, and metallic leathers with the midsole getting a cork lookt.  These kicks should become available at a PUMA retailers very soon.

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Change Is Here.

This is the year of change.  And so, change we must.

Response to the Prerace Jitters blog since its introduction in October 2007 has been both overwhelming and humbling.

With that we are working hard to bring you a new and improved site in effect making PreraceJitters.com the internet’s premiere track and field lifestyle magazine.

The latest Prerace Jitters foray will deliver timely interviews, features, and recurring columns, in addition to the insights that you have grown accustomed to reading.

We appreciate your patience and understanding during our brief construction phase.  Thank you for your support and we look forward to a successful 2009 season and beyond.

Sincerely,

Jay F. Hicks

Editor

Kicks: Windrunner TR2

Nike has released two new Windrunner TR 2’s in nice colorways. The classic running shoe comes in a white/black/grey colorway with two-color laces. The sneaker also dropped in a white/grey/red colorway. Both came out really clean, without looking boring at all, and are now available at

Kicks: Nike Air Pegasus ‘89

This is another example of how well Nike does with retro shoes. It’s been about 20 years since the original release of the Nike Air Pegasus ‘89. They made their debut in the running circuit back in ‘89, and the legacy continues.

They come in two original colorways, consisting of red and blue. Not only are the colorways original, the materials and design used to make the shoe are exactly the same. With a synthetic and suede upper, the shoe will last long. Whether you’re a long time fan of the Air Pegasus, or a newcomer to the running scene, this shoe will do you justice. Ships in February with a limited release.

USA Track & Field Picks New President

RENO, Nev. - Women’s Track & Field Committee Chair Stephanie Hightower was elected to a four-year term as USA Track & Field’s president Friday at the 2008 USATF Annual Meeting at the Silver Legacy Resort in Reno, Nevada.

A former-world class hurdler, Hightower succeeds two-term incumbent Bill Roe, whose eight years as USA Track & Field’s President will come to an end on Sunday, the final day of the Annual Meeting.

Hightower led the way after the first round of voting with 304 votes, with USATF Vice President Dee Jensen in second place with 263 votes and former USATF Vice President Bob Bowman in third place with 58 votes, which caused him to be eliminated.

In the afternoon runoff election, Hightower was the victor with 328 votes, with Jensen tallying 300 votes.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to serve this organization,” said Hightower. “We have a multitude of opportunities that lie before us, and I’m just happy that I’ll have the opportunity to work with the USATF family and move the sport into the 21^st century.”

“This is a historical Annual Meeting,” Jensen said. “As I said throughout the campaign, we are at a critical juncture. I would like to congratulate Stephanie on her victory and thank my supporters for their hard work. I look forward to continuing to contribute to USATF’s future.”

Hightower brings a wealth of experience to the USATF presidency. In addition to serving as USATF’s Women’s Track & Field Committee Chair, she started her USATF Board service as a member of the Athletes Advisory Committee (ACC) and serving as AAC Secretary and AAC/USOC representative.

Usain Bolt To The Rescue

I am not the least bit surprised. In case you haven’t heard, Michael Phelps won SI’s “Sportsman of the Year” this year for winning 8 gold medals in Beijing. Usain Bolt deserved to win the title but apparently was not even close to winning for his riveting performances.

Sports Illustrated Group editor Terry McDonell called the selection of Phelps “the easiest choice I have made.”

Seriously?

But we all know the deal here. Track and field is far from being popular having been riddled with doping allegations and the fact that some of the sport’s former stars are currently serving jail time.

The Olympic Games became the “Michael Phelps Show,” setting a world record every time he dipped his toe in the pool and in the process winning over America.

Television ratings shot through the roof to watch the made-for-tv movie series that played out featuring Michael Phelps.

No one had heard of Usain Bolt prior to 8-8-08. But all of a sudden people were talking about the sport again and what a 6 foot, 5 inch sprinter from Jamaica was doing in Beijing.

For that reason, Usain Bolt is my Athlete of the Year - make that the galaxy.

Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.

Kicks: Women’s Pumas California SE

The new Puma California SE is here. It comes with a beige upper, dark brown details and yellow, green, and red accents on the laces and the stitching. The colors also appear on the lining. The white sole is a nice balance to the more colorful upper.

Lolo Jones Named Humanitarian of the Year

Lolo Jones was named the Visa Humanitarian Athlete of the Year by USA Track and Field. The Visa Humanitarian Athlete of the Year by USA Track & Field is the only USA Track & Field award to recognize off the track community service.

Lolo won the 100-meter hurdles at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Eugene, Ore. on July 6 in a windy 12.29 seconds (+3.8mps), tying the #2 time ever run under any conditions.

Off the track, Jones gave her $4,000 in prize money to a fund assisting Renee Trout, a single mother from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, who was a victim of the Iowa floods after winning the 100-meter hurdles at the Olympic Trials. Jones’ sponsors each matched Jones’ $4,000 prize, bringing the total donation to $12,000.

While in Des Moines for the Drake Relays in April, Jones gave each girl on Theodore Roosevelt High School track team a pair of spikes and made a $3,000 donation to the school to repair the track and buy hurdles. While competing at Roosevelt as a prep star, Jones set the Iowa state record in the 100m hurdles (13.40), a mark that still stands today.

“I’ve been receiving help from charities and other assistance programs since I was young so it was only natural for me to give back,” said Jones.

Doug Logan best described Lolo Jones and her efforts to give back to the community.

“In order to succeed at the world-class level, athletes must be focused on themselves,” said USATF CEO Doug Logan. “Athletes like Lolo Jones demonstrate that that focus does not come at the expense of giving back to your community, or to helping people in need. Lolo’s generosity of spirit was accompanied by her financial generosity in assisting flood victims in her home state.”

Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.
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