Today marks the four year anniversary of a real and a metaphorical
journey for me. It is four years since I left the Nike Oregon Project; it was supposed
to be my dream job, coaching elite athletes in a sport that I love. It was far
from a dream, it was a horror story, a scary movie. Without a doubt one of the worst experiences of
my life, but a defining moment none the less. I decided to drive back home to
Sarasota and use the time to think and evaluate my future. It was a wise
decision. I resolved to get back in the saddle and finish my book – Athletic
Development, which I finished that fall. I started writing this blog to
get me focused on writing each day. I took a little break from day to day
coaching and just consulted. I got back on the metaphorical journey of the
functional path after taking a turn down a deadend street. The experience
taught me many lessons. I learned who my friends really were. It reaffirmed
what is important professionally, how important it is to stand for what you believe
ethically and what I have to do to be happy. Sometimes life’s lessons are hard,
I thank God that four years later I am a better coach, and hopefully a better
person focused on what is truly important in life. To paraprase the George Strait song – happiness was Portland in the rear view mirror!
3 Comments
Mike Keeler
Vern,
What happened at the Nike Project? You have mentioned several times how bad of experience it was, is it possible to expound on the reasons behind the nightmare?
Mike Keeler
Jay
Thanks for your candor and thanks for the work you put into the blog.
Alberto’s loss is our Gain (no apprenticeship pun intended).
I’ve heard you’ll be in Chicago next Sunday to speak somewhere (wish I could attend); on Saturday night there is a HS meet that you would enjoy if your schedule allows.
It’s called the Midwest Distance Gala and it’s simply kids from various Illinois and surrounding states trying to run a final PR for the year. Also, the meet directors are in their early twenties and started the meet because they are track geeks who want to make the sport better. And while I agree with my wife that all of these post season meets posse serious issues/questions, the spirit of the event is great.
Jay
yikes. after re-reading my comment, it sounds like an ad and that was not my intent (I really like the two meet directors, but I’m not affiliated with the meet).
My intent is to make sure Track and Field doesn’t loss your voice and to be honest, I think the Distance Gala meet is simply what the sports about…better than the NON (Nike outdoor nationals) but not as special as each kids state meet. My hope was that if your schedule allowed that you’d go and that you’d love it and that you’d tell others what you love about track. Track is great because everyone can appreciate, yet the nuances for someone like you are infinite.
Our sport needs you and distance coaches really need your voice.