Springtime

I was telling my children (4 year old twins) the other day as we drove to school and saw buds on trees that spring is my favorite time of year. My daughter asked why and as I thought about it, I laughed to myself. I couldn't come up with an answer she would understand. I think it is my favorite time of year because, for so many years, this was the time when training got more fun. Less long intervals and more short ones; less hats and gloves and other warm weather gear and more sun; less cold pill directives from Gags and more "drink fluids" ones; and of course, less wind on the roof of Yates. It's funny how, even now, running shapes my view of our suroundings.

Penn is just a week or so away and I'm looking forward to seeing the Hoya Men and Women chase a Championship of America title. I got the chance to see some of the team compete for the first time in many years at the Big East Indoor Championships in NY. For those of you who are not following closely, you should. We've got a lot of exciting talent on the track these days. Even more satisfying was the post-event reception at the NY Armory. Dozens of alums turned out for what must have been the best attended Spike Shoe Club event in a very long time. The only distressing part was that Steve Holman and I were two of the oldest people in the room (I think he is older than me by the way). Clearly, Gtown's younger alums are staying close to the program and are showing up in numbers. I left there that night thinking that Steve and I needed to help Meghan bring back some older women and men.

Hope to see many familiar faces in Philadelphia next week. If not, drop the coaching staff an email and wish them well.

Rich Kenah
PS. For the record, I saw Doug Huffman at the meet as well. While all (most) of us alums looked older and heavier with less hair on our heads, I swear Doug has not changed a bit.

Calling all Bay Area Alumni - Hoyas at Stanford Invitational

The Spiked Shoe Club would like to invite you to drinks with Head Track Coach Patrick Henner on Saturday April 5th from 4-5:30 pm at the Sheraton Hotel in Palo Alto. Come out and watch the Hoya's compete against the nations top track and field athletes and meet Coach Henner after the event to get an update on the Track and Field program.

See you on Saturday!

RSVP:David Swift davidpswift@gmail.com

Driving Direction to the Sheraton ( walking distance from the track )
Start address: San Francisco, CAEnd address: 625 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94301
Start at: San Francisco, CA
1. Head south on Van Ness Ave toward Grove St - 0.7 mi2. Merge onto US-101 S via the ramp to Oakland/San Jose/US-80 - 31.4 mi3. Take exit 402 for Embarcadero Rd/Oregon Expy - 0.2 mi4. Keep right at the fork, follow signs for Embarcadero Rd W/Stanford University and merge onto Embarcadero Rd - 2.3 mi5. Turn right at El Camino Real - 0.3 mi
Arrive at: 625 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94301

Here is a tentative racing schedule for our top people:

Friday

12:54- 800- Matt DeBole

5:52PM- Steeplechase- Alex Mason, Mike Banks

6:36PM- Women's 5000- Lise Ogrodnick

7:13PM- Men's 5000- Andrew Bumbalough, Levi Miller

7:29PM- Women's 10,000- Melissa Grelli

8:07PM- Men's 10,000- Mike Krisch, Justin Scheid, Dan Nunn

Saturday

6:59PM- Men's 1500- Matt DeBole, Mike Banks

Fundraising update

We're headed into the final quarter of 2007-2008 fundraising year. We're currently at $84,000 from about 125 contributors.

In order to reach our goal of $100,000, we need an additional $16,000. (And who said SFS grads didn't know math?) Our other goal is to increase the percentage of alumni who contribute, and to reach that we need an additional 100 individuals to donate by June 30.

To contribute, please click on the link to the right side of this page, this should lead you to an online donation form. (email me should you have any difficulties).

Thanks to everyone for their support. We'll post updates as we close in on our goals.