The Nike “Master”…Ken Popejoy
In 1991, as a 40 year old masters miler, meet director Tom Jordan invited me to run the elite mile at the Prefontaine Invite! When I lined up, I was introduced as the runner that took 2nd to Prefontaine in the 1969 Golden West High School Invite. I’m sure the other competitors wondered why an “old man” was in the race…but I was reasonably competitive with a 4:08 finish!
On the backstretch, I heard my name called out and it was Steve Miller (who I fondly remembered as the former Bloom high school coach in Illinois in th late 60’s when I was running for Glenbard West! He was excited about my running faster at 40 than my 18 year old time vs Pre at 4:09!
He then asks me “what can Nike do for you”? I had no idea what he meant…but the end result was him getting me a 3 year “contract” with Nike covering all of my equipment/appearal and travel to competitions 😳😱
We connected again in Barcelona in
‘92 where I was co coach of Jim Spivey.
He treated me like an elite athlete at the Nike hospitality suite and we relived many years of past competitions as well as my current master’s pursuits!
SOOO generous was his assistance to me…SOOO gracious was his friendship and support 👍🙏
I was truly humbled and honored by his faith and confidence in supporting me during my “second time around”!