JUNE 18, 2011 – NEW YORK CITY, NY
Four years ago, ArmoryTrack.com (a division of the Armory Foundation) joined MileSplit as the network’s New York affiliate site. That chapter in the site’s history will come to a close in August when ArmoryTrack will once again operate as an independent publication.
Dr. Norbert Sander, president of the Armory Foundation, says the affiliation has been a positive one for their organization and the decision to leave was not an easy one.
“The Armory Foundation has been proud to partner with and (has greatly benefited) from our four year collaboration with MileSplit. The addition of invaluable technology by MileSplit has created a wonderful service to our thousands of young runners and field athletes from throughout New York State,” said Sander.
Despite the successful relationship, which has given rise to unprecedented levels of coverage and soaring traffic for both the ArmoryTrack affiliate and the MileSplit Network as a whole, Sander says that the organization needs to refocus its efforts.
The core purpose of the site has always been to bring awareness to the many meets, programs, and outreach efforts going on at the Armory, a New York City landmark that Sander helped salvage from disrepair in the early ‘90s. The practicing doctor and former New York City Marathon winner stated further the decision centered on their “regional impact and need to continue development and coverage of the many programs specific to the Armory.”
MileSplit founder and CEO, Jason Byrne, admitted he was disappointed when he found out that the Armory Foundation would not be renewing its contract; however, believes in the end it may be what’s best for both groups.
“We have really enjoyed being affiliated with such a stellar group and have forged some really great friendships as well,” Byrne explained, “the Armory has been a tremendous success story and a pillar in our sport and it’s been great to work with them. However, I fully understand their need to reemphasize their focus on their immediate goals and the mission of the venue and the Foundation more directly.”
Byrne though insists that MileSplit’s coverage of the state of New York is anything but over. “Absolutely not, we will be re-branding our New York portal and looking for a new team to maintain our presence in the Empire State. I think it’s an opportunity for us, for the Armory, for an aspiring new webmaster, and for the state of New York.”
While ArmoryTrack will no longer be a direct member of MileSplit, both groups unequivocally state that the working relationship will continue to thrive. “We are already talking about ways we can continue to partner (with them)”, says Byrne, “and we stand with them in their goals of promoting and growing the sport.” Sander concurs and says the Armory Foundation “will continue to work closely with MileSplit to enhance their mission of great dedication to their viewers… our profound thanks to Milesplit… for their professionalism and creativity. We will all continue to work together in service of this great sport.”
Anyone interested in potentially being the new editor(s) of MileSplit’s re-branded New York affiliate is encouraged to contact MileSplit COO Don Rich by emailing inquiries to jobs@milesplit.comfor more details. Ideal candidates are experienced with (or eager to learn) media in its various forms (written, video, photos), bring an entrepreneurial spirit, can work a flexible schedule, and—according to Byrne’s description--are “multi-tasking, stat-junky, social networking ninjas with a passion for track & field (especially on the high school level)”.
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ABOUT ARMORY FOUNDATION
The Armory Foundation, a NYC not-for-profit and home to the premier indoor track and field center in America, is committed to serving youth by promoting excellence and fitness through a broad range of athletic, educational and community programs.
The Armory Foundation's primary emphasis is reaching and motivating the youth of all five boroughs by offering them competitive track and field activities and broadening their horizons with computer classes, college preparation programs and a variety of cultural and school-coordinated educational activities.
The Armory Foundation promotes excellence, fitness and community by hosting over 100 track events each year, maintaining the National Track and Field Hall of Fame, operating the largest after school activity center in New York and offering a variety of community support programs in its world class facility.
Contact: Rita Finkel, rita@armorytrack.com, (212) 923-1803 x32 (office)
ABOUT MILESPLIT, INC.
MileSplit is the premier network for high school track & field and cross country. We believe that the heart of the sport is on a local, grassroots level. By facilitating the publishing and business process for our state affiliates, we are able to provide in depth state-by-state coverage of the sport. At the same time, these state portals feed content into a national database allowing us to provide an unprecedented depth of coverage on the national level.
Designed around powerful proprietary database software that unites all of the important aspects of covering the sport--results, rankings, articles, videos, photos, statistics, etc.--MileSplit is the only online publisher in the sport with the tools to provide a high level of timely and comprehensive nationwide coverage.
MileSplit, Inc. is a privately held Florida corporation. Its corporate offices are located in the Sanlando Center in Longwood, Florida (just north of Orlando) and overlook the Seminole Wekiva Trail.
https://www.milesplit.com/help/about/contact
Contact: Jason Byrne, jbyrne@milespilt.com, (877) 833-7223 x601 (office), (321) 385-7223 (mobile)
JUNE 18, 2011 – NEW YORK CITY, NY
Four years ago, ArmoryTrack.com (a division of the Armory Foundation) joined MileSplit as the network’s New York affiliate site. That chapter in the site’s history will come to a close in August when ArmoryTrack will once again operate as an independent publication.