It might be the worst-kept secret in professional running: Nike’s professional athlete group Bowerman Track Club Elite has come to an end. The club and brand announced on Sunday that the coaches and members will merge with Nike’s newest mega-group, Swoosh Track Club (Swoosh TC).
Swoosh TC will be led by Brigham Young University coach Diljeet Taylor in Utah, former Bowerman TC coach Jerry Schumacher in Oregon and Northern Arizona University coach Mike Smith in Arizona. Each of the three locations will host a physical hub with training resources where Nike-sponsored athletes can live and train. Bowerman Track Club will remain an independent club for youth, masters and post-collegians, but will no longer have a professional team.
“After 12 incredible years of our professional Bowerman athletes driving tireless motivation and inspiration into our community, we begin the next chapter of our club with the announcement of their departure,” the club wrote on Instagram. “When BTC was founded in 2003 – originally as Bowerman Athletic Club – there wasn’t a vision of a 20+ year plan. What did exist, was a community-driven youth club and Hood-to-Coast relay team, which fostered an environment that would ultimately transcend into an international powerhouse that produced 31 Olympic qualifiers, 90 world qualifiers, 10 Olympic and world medallists, 19 national records, and 55 national champions.”
Canadian runners Ahmed and Knight to stay put
Over the years, seven Canadian distance runners have been part of the BTC program, with Moh Ahmed and Justyn Knight as the only two members still on the team. Both Ahmed and Knight are reported to be staying under the tutelage of Schumacher in Eugene, Ore., where Schumacher continues his role with the University of Oregon Ducks track and field and cross-country programs.
Nike stated in a press release that their focus with Swoosh Track Club is to keep the athletes at the centre of its mission by creating a network of locations and athletes for individuals to train with. To put it in sports terms, Swoosh TC aims to create a super team, where all Nike-sponsored distance runners, regardless of club affiliation, will have access to the club’s facilities and coaches.
This aligns Nike’s pro program with brands like On, which has established On Athletics Club (OAC) teams around the world under one umbrella, and Under Armour, which has created several North American hubs to cater to its long list of athletes.
