About

The Mission

In 2005, the University of Utah discontinued its men's track and field and cross country programs in a move designed to redirect funds to help strengthen other sports. A statement released soon after by a USA Track and Field (USATF) representative stated the following:

"Utah's reasoning is at odds with the vibrant state of track and cross country in Utah and across America. Not only are these sports less burdensome financially than most college sports, their overall NCAA participation continues to grow, especially among minorities. Few sports are as strong in Utah, at the high school and collegiate levels, as track and cross country. Among high school athletes, track and field is No. 2 in statewide boys' participation, behind only football. Nationwide, nearly 25 percent of all NCAA athletes are track/cross country participants."

USATF representatives further stated that "Utah's decision to cut the program is a rejection of the Olympic tradition that manifested itself at the school during the 2002 Winter Olympic Games."

Craig Masback, CEO of USA Track & Field, added, "I am surprised to see that they are turning their backs on the marquee sport of the Olympic movement."

If money was a problem in the days of the Mountain West Conference, it certainly is not a problem now. The University of Utah's financial situation when it comes to athletics has done a complete 180 degree turn, and now, it is time to bring this incredibly valuable sport back to the University of Utah.

About Me

I'm originally from St. Louis, MO....well, I say St. Louis because if I told you I was from Imperial, MO you would look at your screen and say "Where?" I graduated from high school in 2006 and was unanimously given the title of "Mr. Track and Field." Was I the best athlete in the world? No. But I wasn't bad. I competed in the decathlon but my bread and butter events were the 200, discus, and javelin. Even though there were many athletes that were better than me, no one had as much enthusiasm for the sport as I did. Whether it was organizing team workouts, staying late for practice, or spending countless hours talking strategy with coaches, I couldn't get enough of track and field in all it's forms.

Immediately after graduation, I signed a scholarship offer to small Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO as a decathlete and spent my freshman year of college learning more and more about the sport I loved. I left school to serve a two year full-time mission for the LDS church in upstate New York. When I came home, I went back to school and tried to get back in shape for track again. But something unfortunate happened that regrettably happens to many athletes. While training, I fractured my C-6 and C-7 vertebrae in my neck. Even though my surgery was successful and therapy allowed me to operate normally, I knew that my track career was over. 

A few years went by. I moved to Utah for school. Found my wife. Got engaged. All the while continuing to work out and make myself stronger. In 2010, I was feeling really good physically and I thought, why not give track another try. I was newly enrolled at the University of Utah, so I decided to walk into Kyle Kepler's office and ask when walk-on try outs for the track team were. Shockingly, he looked right at me and said "I'm sorry. We don't have a men's team currently and it doesn't look like we will any time soon."

My heart sank. There were two things that I fell in love with when I moved to Utah. I fell in love with my girlfriend (now wife) and I fell in love with the Utes. It was a devastating blow to me that the university I loved so much didn't have my favorite sport. I went back to my apartment, told my girlfriend that there wasn't a men's team to join and it was her reaction that was the spark to this whole movement. She looked at me and said "What!? It's a major college school that has nationally competitive athletics. Why wouldn't they have a men's track team!?"

The more people that I told, the more couldn't believe it. Everyone had similar reactions to what her's was. So I started to ask questions. "Why no men's team?" "Don't they know how beneficial it is?" "This is an Olympic town. Why wouldn't they have the primary Olympic sport?"

I asked former and current Ute track athletes. They had no explanation. I sent e-mails to coaches and administrators. No responses. So, I figured there had to be more people out there that felt like I did. There had to be supporters out there. If no one is doing anything to bring this, the ultimate competition sport, back to the University of Utah, why don't I try? Why not me? My coaches in high school, club, and college always described me as having more passion for this sport than anyone they had seen. It's in my nature to run full speed ahead with my passions, and you can guarantee that I will drive this until it's done.