Fast track action at the Dr. Conrad Worrill Track & Field Center (Jorge Espinosa photo)
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Indoor track and field has always been one of those infamous sports that either you love or hate.
I can recall competing for the first time as a sophomore in high school in the mid-1980s. Despite being an unofficial part of the season, my coach, Mr. Pete Jones, emphasized the importance of training in Indiana's icy, snowy winter months. He often said, "If you miss a day of practice, you can't double up to make up for a missed day." That sentiment stuck with me throughout my prep and college years. It was then that I fell in love with the sport.
My greatest satisfaction as a prep was competing in the Hoosier Relays, which coincided with March Madness. Though the event was heavily relay-centered, the basic premise was that it was our "indoor state championship" and that we would compete against the best athletes in the state to conclude the indoor season.
Now, as a track and field ambassador and promoter, I have never been a stranger to change. And controversy. Indoor track and field in Illinois has had mixed feelings for many years.
Why?
Unlike in most states, there has never been a state association-sponsored indoor championship. So, some feel emboldened or entitled to something open to everyone. Minutes after the Illinois Indoor Championship promo team released its official existence announcement, there were voices of concern. And that's ok. I have read comments like, "Putting it on the weekend of Illinois Top Times is a bad look and low blow..." or "Until the IHSA steps in and creates a true indoor state, we will continue to have things like this happen." There was another one that particularly caught my attention: "It's about the athletes, right? Change the date so the best of the best can come together on the fastest indoor track in Illinois."
The truth is that there is room for everyone to eat. No one owns the weekend, and dates cannot be changed because of the abundance of indoor invites and college and high school conference championship meets preceding the IL Indoor Championships.
And for anyone who questioned my unwavering support of indoor track, I am part of the old guard that acquired the formerly named "Illinois Prep Top Times" from Mike Stine. Working with Bob Geiger, we saved an entity and moved it into the digital age. Now, it's Randy Anderson, and he has done well.
So why the Illinois Indoor Championships? As a track and field event promoter, I felt the time was right to try something new and innovative. One of my former pupils, Jeff Bryant, is a brilliant mind and one of the country's best meet managers. Go and examine his work with the CYUP Misfits Invite or the Cabin Fever Invite. Bryant has been to many top-level events with me and has asked me numerous times, "Why isn't there a true indoor championship in the state, a one-class, winner-takes-all type of deal?" After some soul-searching, I realized what he was getting at, and we crafted a plan. The rest is history, as they say.
"ONE CLASS. ONE GOAL. ONE STAGE!"
Fast track action at the Dr. Conrad Worrill Track & Field Center (Jorge Espinosa photo)