Jasmine Todd

[gh]

Natural curiosity, yes, but athlete has no obligation to explain to the general public

That's a difficult question about which to assign a definitive answer in this day and age. If you choose to be a "public figure" (which is, like it or not, what being a high-profile athlete is all about), then you have to expect some slings & arrows. (speaking of phrases i've never quite understood....)

[ATK]

That's a difficult question about which to assign a definitive answer in this day and age. If you choose to be a "public figure" (which is, like it or not, what being a high-profile athlete is all about), then you have to expect some slings & arrows. (speaking of phrases i've never quite understood....)

I'm still confused as to why this means she has to say anything to the general public and some fans on a message board.
Receiving backlash is one thing, giving into curious strangers because of that backlash is another thing.

[booond]

That's a difficult question about which to assign a definitive answer in this day and age. If you choose to be a "public figure" (which is, like it or not, what being a high-profile athlete is all about), then you have to expect some slings & arrows. (speaking of phrases i've never quite understood....)

The answer isn't difficult and the day and age has nothing to do with it. She has no obligation to you, me, or anyone else. I assume we will find out the story as others know the story and someone, possibly Ms. Todd, will spill the beans. But just because a group of track fans are curious about an athlete's life doesn't force the athlete to reveal anything about their life.

[jjimbojames]

For those against the speculation: would your views change if/when she became a pro? As part of her ability to charge more for a contract will be marketability - which reduces if she or any other athlete ignores fans. Whilst primarily fans will care about her progress, human nature will make them inquisitive about what else is happening

Going right back to the start - she put out a statement (using the forum of today - social media) which started the whole discussion - she opened the door to the ensuing debate! She included comments which pushed thought in a certain direction - which makes it fair game to discuss, whether she 'owes' an explanation to put those right or not

[ATK]

For those against the speculation: would your views change if/when she became a pro? As part of her ability to charge more for a contract will be marketability - which reduces if she or any other athlete ignores fans. Whilst primarily fans will care about her progress, human nature will make them inquisitive about what else is happening

Going right back to the start - she put out a statement (using the forum of today - social media) which started the whole discussion - she opened the door to the ensuing debate! She included comments which pushed thought in a certain direction - which makes it fair game to discuss, whether she 'owes' an explanation to put those right or not

I dont think anyone here is "against speculation". I think people are against the idea that Todd is obligated to tell us exactly what happened.

We can speculate all we want, and should.

[Jacksf]

There were some posts and posters saying that we should not 'speculate' on Todd's reasons for leaving.

[booond]

I dont think anyone here is "against speculation". I think people are against the idea that Todd is obligated to tell us exactly what happened.

We can speculate all we want, and should.

Correct.

[gh]

I...

We can speculate all we want, and should.

So long as it remains within the bounds of "good taste," that is deffo true.

[jazzcyclist]

When the day comes that we can't engage in idle speculation and conjecture about the motivations of elite track and field athletes on this message board, the terrorists have won.

[ATK]

There were some posts and posters saying that we should not 'speculate' on Todd's reasons for leaving.

You are correct, beginning with fourjz after a theory regarding the integrity of the UO program as a whole was brought into question.
I'ts possible he felt that specific instance of speculation was on the side of "distasteful" and a possible reach, but that's for gh to decide.

I thought is was fine and think speculation is necessary in most discussions on this board, but I think its clear that Todd does not have to say anything.
Even if she did give a definitive reason, we would continue to speculate even more.

[26mi235]

She made a strong statement of support for the coaching staff, calling it the best (or something similar).

[eman2001]

If you throw enough darts at a dartboard you are bound to hit the bullseye!

I think Ms Todd left enough bread crumbs for an educated guesser to find the trail which I believe is what she intended to do all along.

[Waterbuffalo]

...after a theory regarding the integrity of the UO program as a whole was brought into question...

I find fascinating the arc of conversation in this thread! My original query, initiating this thread, was sincerely and simply a wonder if other's knew any more about Ms. Todd's decision (than what was known from her social media posts). No speculation nor assertion of obligation to disclose. Just wondering!

Upon further reflection, I posted to this thread a follow-up question, regarding known norms of athlete turnover in D1 programs. With no intent to slander Ms. Todd's erstwhile program, I observed that her departure is but the most recent in a sequence of other high-profile departures from that program. That's simply an observation of fact. I stand by my admittedly shallow reasoning that, absent data indicating the frequency and significance of departures from that program is similar to what is normal turnover for D1 programs, it is sensible to wonder if it may be indicative of some underlying pattern of contributing factors. Absent other data, if one observes a leaking sink, one wonders if there may be something amiss!

To be clear, I have no hidden agenda and no subversive intent to cast aspersions on Ms. Todd or her erstwhile program. As a passionate fan who happily shares my limited resources to support the athletes and programs I am thrilled to watch and applaud, I am curious when remarkable athletes and top-tier programs are in the news.

I find this forum to be an excellent resource for information, insight and perspective, and welcome continuing contributions to this fascinating topic, and to deepen my understanding of this current news topic.

[26mi235]

Oregon has a fair bit of high-level 'churn' both in and out.

[steveu]

I'll tell you what surprises me is that in this day and age, there's some scenarios like this where we never actually do learn what happened. There was a very high profile defensive player on a Rose Bowl football team a few years back who was either kicked off or left the team and the cause has still never reached the public. Similarly, a small college basketball coach of a very prominent program in my state agreed to leave the team and the reason for that is still publicly unknown, too. With the net and social media it amazes me when folks can still keep things like this private.