Letter from Ken Reeves on Footlocker - 2003


Subject: Footlocker Meet
>Date: Sun, 07 Dec 2003 14:52:39 -0800
>
>Coaches and excoaches
>
>There is a rumor going around that the Footlocker Cross Country meet will 
>be
>no longer after this season.  Nike is proposing a National team 
>championship
>race.  For California, the participants for this would be chosen by
>comparing times from the state meet.  The two teams to be chosen from
>California would come from a combined all division scoring similar to the
>scoring that Bob Rush does at the conclusion of the state meet.  Similarly,
>the individuals would be chosen the same way.  People could be eliminated
>without facing each other in head to head competition.
>
>The Footlocker has never been a huge portion of the programs I have helped
>coach.  However, a number of young runners made the step to the next level
>by participating in the class races.  A select few have been lucky enough
>and talented enough to qualify for the nationals.  Best of all, it is a
>grass roots that allowed participation by any individual, from 7th grader 
>to
>coaches, parents and beyond.  If this is something you would like to see
>continue, please contact Footlocker as soon as possible to let them know of
>your concerns.  They are meeting this week in San Diego, supposedly to
>decide the future of this meet.
>
>I would encourage you, parents, administrators and athletes to send emails
>to Footlocker.  Please pass this on to anyone you think might be concerned.
>Send it to fellow coaches around the area.  The director of the meet is
>Jeanine Zocks and she is extremely supportive, but she needs some ammo to
>show the bosses.  Attached is a letter I sent to her and below is her 
>email.
>Would appreciate any and all help to keep this opportunity for our 
>athletes.
>
>jzocks@footlocker.com
>
>If you feel so inclined, please do as quickly as possible and as often as
>possible.
>
>Ken Reeves
>High School and Community College Coach
>Ventura, California
>805-643-6949
>