Shaun Skeris Named to USATF Foundation Board of Directors

by Trixie | Nov 16, 2020 | News

PITTSBURGH – Shaun Skeris has been named a Director of the USA Track & Field Foundation Board, USATF Foundation CEO Tom Jackovic and Chairman Bob Greifeld announced today.

Shaun Skeris is a Senior Client Strategist for BNY Mellon Wealth Management. In this role, he partners with individuals and families to provide financial advice and guidance in relation to their family business, family office, and estate assets.

Shaun joined the firm in 2019 and has more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. Prior to his current role, Shaun served as a Managing Director for Umpqua Bank where he led the firm’s Investment Advisory Division. Shaun also worked at City National Bank where he led a team of professionals providing holistic wealth management and banking solutions to affluent families, professional firms, real estate investors and non-profit organizations.

Shaun received his Master’s Degree in International Business and Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of Florida. He is on the board of directors of the Irvine Barclay Theatre as well as the theatre’s Enterprise Committee, and is a founding member of the Drucker School Global Family Business Institute. Shaun is a member of ACG OC and Gen Next, in addition to the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of Orange County.

Shaun developed a passion for track & field in high school, winning two state championships while running for the now-current USA Men’s Olympic Track & Field Coach, Mike Holloway.  He ran track and cross country at the University of Florida, and competed for the men’s water polo team.  Post college Shaun has stayed very active by competing in various marathons, road races, biathlons, triathlons, mountain biking, and cyclocross races in Florida, North Carolina, Colorado, and New York City.  Shaun is an avid sports fan who enjoys working with kids and spending time outdoors with his boys.

“I am very excited about the opportunity to be a part of the USATF Foundation, and to support the growth of Track & Field in the United States and beyond,” stated Shaun Skeris.

Joe Rubio Named to USATF Foundation Board of Directors

by Trixie | Nov 13, 2020 | News

PITTSBURGH – Joe Rubio has been named a Director of the USA Track & Field Foundation Board, USATF Foundation CEO Tom Jackovic and Chairman Bob Greifeld announced today.

Joe Rubio brings a ton of dedication and passion to the sport of Track and Field.  Joe is an athlete, a coach, a mentor, and the owner of Running Warehouse, the premier online site for running shoes, apparel, and accessories.

Starting in 1977, Joe was a talented runner on a successful Willow Glen (San Jose) high school team.  Landing at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo via UC Irvine and West Valley JC, he was a DII All American on the track for the Mustangs.

Professionally, he went on to run the Olympic Marathon Trials in 1992 and 1996 and holds a 2:18:06 personal record.

Today he is the Head Coach for the HOKA ONE ONE Aggie RC, where he has had multiple athletes compete at the Olympic Trials.  Additionally, the Aggies are the 2019 Women’s Cross Country National Champions.

As the Owner of Running Warehouse, Joe leads the ecommerce world in customer service excellence.  Running Warehouse is a top partner for all the national brands and often cited for educating the buyer and athlete satisfaction.

Seeing athletes progress from youth to the top of the professional ranks, through clubs, schools and teams is his true raison d’etre.  He has two daughters at the high school level competing in track and field and they live in San Luis Obispo, California.

Joe is also famous for “Rubio Tours”, the annual pilgrimage for over 100 fans to the major championship Track & Field events throughout the year.  Listen for them at their traditional spot at the start of the 1500m race on any track.

“To be part of this incredible organization is an honor.  The amount of positive support for athletes from a variety of backgrounds and ability levels is inspiring.  I hope to be able to contribute to the fine work of the USATF Foundation,” stated Joe Rubio.

Marathon Project Releases Virtual Challenge Details Benefitting USATF Foundation

by Trixie | Nov 12, 2020 | News

Portions of the proceeds from each entry will benefit the USATF Foundation

CHANDLER, AZ – The Marathon Project has announced the details for its Virtual Challenge, a 26-day event beginning on November 25 for runners and walkers of all ages and abilities across the globe. Participants will be able to compete in up to four races of their choosing—a 5k, a 10k, a half marathon, and a marathon, as well as an overall Mileage Madness Challenge. Each entrant, will receive an official Marathon Project Half-Zip, a finisher’s medal, and will be eligible for raffle prizes, social media shout-outs from the pros, and more.

The Virtual Challenge accompanies The Marathon Project, an in-person, professional-only marathon that will be held on December 20 in Chandler, Ariz. The race features 100 athletes from 13 different countries, all training in North America, including Canadian record holder Cam Levins and American Sara Hall who is coming off a second-place finish at the 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon.

Marathon Project co-organizer, Josh Cox, said one of the goals with the Virtual Challenge is to encourage interaction between the pros and the virtual participants.

“Virtual runners will be able to sign up to compete as a part of their favorite pro runner’s team,” Cox said. “We believe, through social media, that this will be a great way for the pros and amateurs to come together with the Marathon Project participants cheering on their virtual teammates in the weeks leading up to the race.”

The connection between the virtual participants and the professional athletes, and the sport as a whole, does not stop there. Five dollars from every virtual entry goes to the USATF Foundation. The Foundation supports the development of emerging elite athletes, while fostering integration within the broader track & field community. Its Run With US! program is a school and community center based program utilizing elite track and field athletes–Olympians and Olympic hopefuls teaching about track and field, running, exercise, nutrition, goal-setting, and self-esteem.

Ben Rosario, another one of The Marathon Project organizers, said the Virtual Challenge will be vital to the overall success of the event.

“Due to the Pandemic, it was not possible to have a mass participation in-person option for our race,” Rosario said. “But the positive thing is that the Virtual Challenge will give running fans from across the globe a chance to be a real part of The Marathon Project, and it is our mission to give them a great experience.”

In addition to the USATF Foundation, the other beneficiary will be the Marathon Project athletes themselves as all remaining funds created via Virtual Challenge entry fees will go to putting on a world-class event.

The Virtual Challenge begins November 25 and runs through Marathon Project race day on December 20. Virtual participants will be able to upload their data and photos to the Virtual Challenge website and follow along with leaderboards for each of the four races as well as the Mileage Madness competition. Registration is available now at www.themarathonproject.com/virtual-race/.

USA Track & Field Foundation awards Pitch Johnson Grants to 50 Elite Track & Field Athletes

by Trixie | Nov 6, 2020 | News

PITTSBURGH – The USA Track & Field Foundation is pleased to award its final grants of 2020, with 50 Pitch Johnson travel grants.  These grants are funded by the generosity of USATF Foundation Director, Franklin “Pitch” Johnson to honor his late father, also named “Pitch”.  The elder Pitch Johnson was a 110m hurdler and competed in the 1924 Paris Games.  He was also the track & field and cross country coach at Drake and Stanford Universities, the Director of the Drake Relays, and a Founder of the National Collegiate Track Coaches Association.

The Foundation announced that 50 talented athletes will receive $1,500 each as part of a grant travel program that was created last year in 2019 by Pitch.  The grant criteria were expanded beyond travel expenses for 2020 due to the lack of travel opportunities athletes were experiencing in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Pitch Johnson, and his family are staples in the world of track & field and the USATF Foundation is grateful for their continued support of these dedicated athletes. “I am pleased to have the opportunity to utilize my 2020 travel grants for promising athletes, who did little travel this year, as financial aid, which is needed by essentially all of them in these times,” stated Pitch Johnson.

The following 50 athletes will receive grant awards in the amount of $1,500 each: