Folders |
Team Schumacher Now Bowerman Track ClubPublished by
Here Comes the Bowerman Track ClubPublished by Portland Track on April 28, 2014 At the Boston Marathon last Monday, Shalane Flanagan debuted a new jersey sporting a Bowerman Track Club logo. For what seems like forever, fans have eagerly awaited the rebranding of Jerry Schumacher's team. With 15+ athletes, numerous Olympians and national team champions, Bowerman Track Club isn't just the new team name for Schumacher's group, but is a rebrand of the Bowerman Athletic Club, a Portland-based team made up of youth runners and many of the top local elites. Portland Track director Craig Rice recently caught up with Nike's Chris Cook, who leads the Bowerman Track Club. In our interview, Cook dives into the inclusion of Team Schumacher, rebranding of the team and much more. Portland Track (PT): Many track fans have been waiting for Team Schumacher to be spun off as a distinct brand in the way that Alberto Salazar’s Oregon Project has successfully done. At last, they will be part of the new Bowerman Track Club. What are the forces at work that have made this change? Chris Cook (CC): Jerry was keen to have an identity for the group. His four kids all run for the Bowerman Youth program and Shalane Flanagan coaches with us in the Fall (on the youth XC program) – so both Jerry and Shalane felt the obvious identity was that of Bowerman. Shalane in particular liked the idea of belonging to something involving the community and kids – in Shalane’s own words “Honored to represent our newly named group Bowerman Track Club – Love being a part of something bigger than myself” – So I’d say Jerry and Shalane drove the change. PT: Bowerman AC has existed for many years as an all-ages running organization that has elite, youth and open components. Is there a new vision for Bowerman Track Club that is different from the former club? CC: No, we will still maintain the same youth, open and masters part of the club but hope that the addition of the pros can help inspire our club runners at all levels. The whole club will share the new name and logo. The name change was simply to avoid the confusion around the phrase athletic club which is often associated in the U.S. as a gym rather than a running club. Read the full article at: www.portlandtrack.com
|