Logan's USA track and field future cloudy
Doug Logan marks his second anniversary as USA Track and Field's chief executive on Wednesday, but learned last week that he could be ousted as early as next month.
According to sources within the American governing body for
athletics, Logan was in Columbus, Ohio, last Thursday to meet with
USATF president Stephanie Hightower and Jeff Darman of the
organisation's board of directors.
Logan was told he must show improvement by mid-August, or face
dismissal.
Hightower and Darman confirmed last week's meeting, but declined
further comment.
"We have an obligation to evaluate our CEO," said Hightower, a
former world-class hurdler and USATF's president since December
2008.
"We started that process about a month and a half ago. We went
over our findings at a board meeting in Des Moines (during June's
national championships there).
"This was a follow-up meeting with Doug, based upon the results
of his evaluation. Anything regarding personnel issues, as the
board chairman, I'm not at liberty to discuss."
Darman had nothing to add.
"For me to talk about the evaluation process -- for Doug, or any
other employee -- would be inappropriate," he said.
Logan said that, like all other USATF staff members, he is
currently undergoing an evaluation process.
"This is something that's good for the sport, good for the
board, and good for me," said Logan, directing further queries to
Hightower.
Also reportedly unhappy with Logan's reign is sports apparel
giant Nike, USATF's chief sponsor.
"I can't speak for Nike," Hightower said. "We have a partnership
agreement with them, but I've never had any conversations with them
(regarding Logan's performance)."
Logan denied any friction with Nike.
"I have no idea where that's coming from," he said. "I find that
hard to believe, given the day-to-day dialogue I have with them."
Logan took over as USATF's CEO on July 21, 2008, replacing Craig
Masback, who had held the post since 1997.
A one-time beer vendor at Yankee Stadium and a Vietnam veteran
who served with the 101st Airborne Division, the 66-year-old Logan
was Major League Soccer's first commissioner from 1995 to 1999.
Prior to joining USATF, Logan headed his own sports consulting
and entrepreneurial firm with clients in North and South America
and Spain.