Reason # 1: "The Oregon State University Model"

By Patrick Ross

We are the only PAC-12 school that does't field some kind of a men's track and field team. Some of you may bring up the fact that Oregon State doesn't have an official men's team, but you are mistaken.  Even though it is not officially classified as a men's sport at the university, it is still there, and it isn't just a club sport either.  Take a look at this quote from an oregonlive.com article:

"Beavers track coach Kelly Sullivan took over a dormant program eight years ago, with the hopes of eventually reviving the men's and women's track teams. He's done it already with the women, but building a men's team is still in the works.  Pretty soon, though, Sullivan will be able to field a men's team, made up almost entirely of football players.  As many as five of those 21 future Beavers plan to suit up for football and track, with a few of them saying the opportunity to play two sports was what ultimately led them to Oregon State." 

So yes, even though OSU doesn't have an official men's team yet, they are actively recruiting as if they do. This brings up another point that goes along with my first reason as to why Utah should bring men's track and field back.  OSU got rid of it's men's and women's programs (2004) about the same time that Utah got rid of its men's program (2006).  OSU recognized that was a mistake and that in order to be competitive in the PAC-12 conference, a complete track and field team was essential.  Let's draw some parallels between OSU's and Utah's track and field timeline:

• 2004 - OSU removes all T&F programs

• 2006 - Utah removes men's T&F

• 2010 - Utah builds a new T&F complex

• 2012 - OSU builds a new T&F complex

So far, OSU and Utah seem to be aligned in their thoughts as to the importance of track & field at their respective universities.  But then, the fork in the road becomes obvious.  Beginning in 2012, OSU had at least 7 football players come and compete at the Conference Track and Field Championship meet.  Utah, so far has not initiated any kind of "make shift" men's track team.  OSU clearly states that bringing a men's track team back in full is the final step towards the revival of their track program.  Utah has never made any such statement. WHAT GIVES!!?? Has anyone ever wondered why OSU football seems to be on the up in recent years and Utah has struggled to keep up?  It's because head coach Mike Riley sends his defensive backs and receivers to go run track!  He recruits that way!  Utah doesn't do that.

"Track is a great sign of if guys have speed or explosion, characteristics that play into the role of developing as a football player," Riley said. "Those all have to transfer eventually, but we like speed, and with our offense, we play multiple personnel groups, so it's always good to have good, athletic guys on the outside."

Even the track coach knows that it is benefiting football!

"It's really exciting to see the quality of two sports improve simultaneously.  I love that our track program is playing any part -- small, medium or large -- in contributing to football. It's obvious, when you look at these kids, that they're not just your average athletes. These guys have a big track background, and it's relevant."  - OSU Track Coach Kelly Sullivan

What has been Utah's Achilles heel when it comes to competing in football since joining the conference?  We have the strength, we have the size, we have the talent, we have the coaching....what is missing? You guessed it.  Speed! Utah has hurt badly for perimeter and break away speed.  Fast guys go where they can be fast.  Most fast guys run track and are successful at it.  As a former football player and track athlete who loved both sports passionately, if I had to choose between playing only football at one school, or run track AND play football at another school, I would choose the other school every time!  You know who else chose their respective universities because they had the opportunity to both run track and play football? Marquise Lee, Robert Griffin III, Julio Jones, and countless others!  Not to mention a third of OSU's football recruiting class!

Oregon State University 4x400 Meter Relay Team. From Left: Malcolm Marble,
Brandon Cooks, Markus Wheaton, Keynan Parker

Just take a look at the photo above. Who do you see? OSU faithful, you'll undoubtedly recognize these faces. We have Malcolm Marable (OSU Cornerback), Brandon Cooks (2013 Biletnikoff Award winner for the best wide receiver in college football, now plays for the New Orleans Saints), Markus Wheaton (OSU Wide Receiver, now with the Pittsburgh Steelers), and Keynan Parker (Running Back, now playing in the Canadian Football League).  That's 3 professional football players on a single relay team! Hello Utah Athletics Board! Wake up and smell the alumni dollars! You want quality athletes at your university? A track team is too invaluable a tool not to have. Again, I submit another quote from the article above to illustrate my point:

"For some athletes, being able to play two sports is what ultimately sealed the deal on picking Oregon State.  'That was definitely a big part of me deciding on OSU,' Jones said. 'Some coaches want you to only focus on football, but Coach Riley is really excited for me to be a two-sport athlete. And I'll do whatever the football and track teams need me to do, I'll do anything to help them win."

I know that track can stand on its own as a sport and doesn't need to serve simply as a football recruiting tool.  But OSU coaches and athletic directors have figured out that it CAN be a recruiting tool!  They've come to the realization that using it as a recruiting/training tool for football is the starting line for bringing the men's track and field program back in full.  The more and more you offer that as a recruiting option, the bigger and bigger the program gets until eventually it stands on its own. Oregon State University provides the perfect model that Utah needs to follow.    

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About Unknown

"I'm a graduate of the University of Utah and self proclaimed 'biggest track fan in the state of Utah.' Since Utah is an Olympic proud state, it seems odd that Utah doesn't fully support the marquee sport of the Olympics. Let's do something about it!"