The Man Behind the Meets: How Rich Benoy Quietly Built a Track Empire | Becoming Uncommon

In this episode of Becoming Uncommon, I sit down with my longtime friend and one of the most influential behind-the-scenes figures in California track & field — Rich Benoy, owner of VS Athletics, meet manager, TV statistician, CIF committee member, and one of the biggest track nerds I know.

Rich went from a small-town hurdler with no coach, to a college athlete, to working in track production for NBC and ESPN, and eventually taking over one of the largest track & field equipment companies in the country. His journey is full of twists, setbacks, reinventions, and lessons every coach, athlete, and parent needs to hear.

We dive into:
✅ How he built a career in track without ever planning to
✅ The secrets of TV production, the world feed, and how meets REALLY get shown
✅ Why knowing the rules gives you a competitive advantage
✅ The future of high school recruiting, NIL, the portal, and the shrinking NCAA landscape
✅ Why today’s athletes are struggling with commitment — and what we can do about it
✅ How to stay in the room, stay informed, and never get blindsided

Rich’s story is a masterclass in adaptability, humility, and finding opportunity where no one else is looking.

Follow VS Athletics → @vsathletics
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