THAT ABINGDON THERE WAS NOTHING MORE UNPREDICTABLE THAN THE WEATHER IN IOWA DURING TRACK SEASON, BUT A FAMILIAR VOICE CAN BE HEARD AT THE STADIUM. A VOICE ATHLETES AND FANS RARELY EVER GET TO PUT A FACE TO. IT ISN’T WHAT YOU THOUGHT IT WAS, IS IT? MIKE? JAY IS IOWA’S TRACK GUY TO ME. EVERY EVENT IS EXCITING AND TRACK AND FIELD HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY. HIS ENTIRE LIFE HE SPENT WATCHING, COACHING AND CALLING TRACK MEETS ACROSS THE STATE, PUTTING A NAME TO SOME OF THE FASTEST FEET IN THE STATE. I LIKE TO RUN THE 100 METER, 200. MIKE JAY HAS NEVER CALLED THIS WALK HIS SOPHOMORE’S NAME BEFORE. A PESKY INJURY HAS KEPT CC HICKS JUMPER FROM COMPETING. SHE WAS WEARING AN OLD PAIR OF TRACK SHOES. UH, THEY WERE TOO BIG. THEY WEREN’T MY SIZE THAT WEREN’T EVEN HERS. THEY WERE NOT CUTTING AT ALL. MIKE JAY HAS HEARD THAT BEFORE. I JUST FEEL THIS IS MY CALLING TO HELP OTHERS. YOU KNOW? AND HERE WE ARE. FOR THE LAST SIX YEARS, HE’S HELPED HUNDREDS OF MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES, BIG TOWNS, LITTLE TOWNS. YOU KNOW, IT DOESN’T MATTER. GET OFF AND RUNNING, GIVING THEM A PAIR OF BRAND NEW KICKS. NO QUESTIONS ASKED. IT WOULD BREAK MY HEART IF SOME KID DIDN’T GO OUT FOR TRACK OR CROSS COUNTRY BECAUSE THEIR PARENTS COULDN’T AFFORD PROPER FOOTWEAR OR WHAT, AND WE DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT IT. HE CREATED THE IOWA TRACK GUY FOUNDATION WHEN HE WANTED TO GIVE AWAY 25 PAIRS OF TRACK SHOES, EACH YEAR. ALREADY THIS YEAR, HIS FOUNDATION HAS GIVEN AWAY MORE THAN 90 PAIRS. IT’S CRAZY. IT’S ABSOLUTELY INSANE. NEVER IN MY WILDEST DREAMS, INCLUDING ONE PAIR THAT FITS CC PERFECTLY. I WAS SO HAPPY. LIKE I WAS SO GRATEFUL BECAUSE A PAIR OF SHOES IS ALL ANYONE NEEDS TO PARTICIPATE IN TRACK A HURDLE THE TRACK GUY WANTS TO REMOVE, BEING ABLE TO GET A NEW PAIR OF SHOES AND GETTING THAT GOOD EXPERIENCE WAS IT MADE ME LIKE, YEAH,
Iowa track foundation removes hurdles for athletes to compete
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Updated: 11:29 AM CDT Apr 23, 2024
For nearly 20 years, Mike Jay has been known as "The Voice of the Drake Relays" and the annual track and field event's main announcer. His entire life he's been an avid track and field fan. Now he's found a new passion within the sport, helping remove barriers keeping athletes from competing."I just feel this is my calling to help others," Jay said. "And here we are."In 2018, Jay created the Iowa Track Guy Foundation. Since its inception, he's helped hundreds of middle and high school athletes get off and running by giving them a pair of brand-new shoes, no questions asked."It would break my heart if some kid didn't go out for track or cross country because their parents couldn't afford proper footwear and we didn't know about it," Jay said.The foundation, a nickname from Jay's love of track, started out intending to give away 25 pairs of track shoes and two $500 scholarships to graduating seniors each year. Last year, the foundation awarded 12 scholarships and has already this year has donated more than 90 pairs of shoes. "In order to be successful, you have to have the right equipment and for our sports, it's shoes," said Waukee assistant track coach Abby Schmitz.C.C. Hicks-Jumper is a sophomore sprinter at Waukee who, before this year, wore track shoes that were a few sizes too big and caused injuries in her ankle, leg and hip. With the help of her track coach and the Iowa Track Guy Foundation, Hicks-Jumper now has a pair that fits her perfectly."I was so happy. I was so grateful," Hicks-Jumper said. "Being able to get a new pair of shoes and getting that experience has made me feel like I can't wait to get on the field and just start running."Drake Relays coverage: Ankeny world record holder to make history at Drake RelaysSteel poles and saw dust pits: Former Iowa pole vault champ remembers the old days of vaulting2024's 'Beautiful Bulldog' crowned, kicking off Drake RelaysThe Iowa Track Guy Foundation partners with several shoe stores throughout the state. Through partnerships, the foundation has donated 690 shoes to athletes in need.'Ready, Set, Relays’: Watch our full 2024 Drake Relays special
DES MOINES, Iowa — For nearly 20 years, Mike Jay has been known as "The Voice of the Drake Relays" and the annual track and field event's main announcer. His entire life he's been an avid track and field fan. Now he's found a new passion within the sport, helping remove barriers keeping athletes from competing.
"I just feel this is my calling to help others," Jay said. "And here we are."
In 2018, Jay created the Iowa Track Guy Foundation. Since its inception, he's helped hundreds of middle and high school athletes get off and running by giving them a pair of brand-new shoes, no questions asked.
"It would break my heart if some kid didn't go out for track or cross country because their parents couldn't afford proper footwear and we didn't know about it," Jay said.
The foundation, a nickname from Jay's love of track, started out intending to give away 25 pairs of track shoes and two $500 scholarships to graduating seniors each year. Last year, the foundation awarded 12 scholarships and has already this year has donated more than 90 pairs of shoes.
"In order to be successful, you have to have the right equipment and for our sports, it's shoes," said Waukee assistant track coach Abby Schmitz.
C.C. Hicks-Jumper is a sophomore sprinter at Waukee who, before this year, wore track shoes that were a few sizes too big and caused injuries in her ankle, leg and hip. With the help of her track coach and the Iowa Track Guy Foundation, Hicks-Jumper now has a pair that fits her perfectly.
"I was so happy. I was so grateful," Hicks-Jumper said. "Being able to get a new pair of shoes and getting that experience has made me feel like I can't wait to get on the field and just start running."
Drake Relays coverage:
The Iowa Track Guy Foundation partners with several shoe stores throughout the state. Through partnerships, the foundation has donated 690 shoes to athletes in need.
'Ready, Set, Relays’: Watch our full 2024 Drake Relays special
