January 10, 2008
U.S. track and field CEO for past 10 years will take job with Nike

Craig Masback has unexpectedly resigned as USA Track & Field's chief executive officer, one of the most influential positions in Olympic sports.

The announcement was made Wednesday night in a news release from USATF, whose national offices are in the RCA Dome. Masback will become director of business affairs for Nike's global sports marketing division.

Masback, 52, is a Princeton graduate who once ran a 3-minute, 52-second mile. He was an attorney and television announcer before succeeding Ollan Cassell in July 1997.

In a statement, Masback said he was leaving what had been his dream job.

"After 10 years, it's time for me to embrace a new challenge," he said.

Indianapolis businessman Bob Kennedy, a two-time Olympic runner, said Masback's departure would be a loss to the sport.

"From the day he started doing the job to today, he significantly increased the revenue through marketing, sponsorships and partnerships with corporations," Kennedy said. "That provided so many more resources to the organization as a whole.

"He increased our television exposures annually, which was great for our sport. He worked hard to professionalize and legitimize the whole drug-testing network."