by Larry Eder
The man noted above was the creative genius behinds Villard Street Pub at the 2008 Olympic Trials. He was the man behind the scenes of Mr. Green and the Men from Modesto. He was the head coach at Foothill community college before I coached there with Hank Ketels and Joe Mangan. And in running circles in the 70s and 80s, Peanut Harms was Da Whiz or Nut.
The best team sales manager ever, Peanut put Reebok T&F on the map and fought for every pair of shoes. I always said, and still do, If Peanut Harms and Jan Johnson ever got together for team sales, they could rule the known world. He worked with the legends-Angel Martinez, Pat Devany, Mark Bossardet, Arthur Lydiard, Ted Banks-the guy has also supported some of the most important groups in our sport-California Community College coaches, California Prep Coaches, CIF, among others.
Nut has been a friend and confidante for two decades. I have learnt more watching him work with coaches, teams, kids than just about anyone. I first met him at Converse, then Reebok. With 47 second 400 meter speed and 1:05 half marathon, the Nut and his merry band of Aggies ruled California road running for most of two decades.
VS Athletics is one of the stalwarts in the track & field industry. Like the most successful companies in this community, VS puts back into the community that they make a living from. That is a good thing.
Best wishes to VS Athletics and Peanut Harms-they are a winning combination!
For immediate release:
PEANUT HARMS JOINS VS ATHLETICS MANAGEMENT TEAM
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA. Creative, energetic, connected, innovative, and fun are a few of the words used to describe the business acumen of Peanut Harms. Mr. Harms, known industry wide as Peanut, is now applying those skills to his new position as VP of Field Sales and Marketing at VS Athletics and a member of the Board of Directors. Although “Peanut” will contribute to all facets of the VS business, his major focus is to help bring VS Athletics to the Top position among culturally connected Track & Field/Cross Country suppliers. The experience he brings from his life long involvement in Track and Field in particular and the Sporting Goods Business in general is well suited for VS Athletics, a national track and field company selling uniforms, track shoes, and track equipment. Peanut has been involved in Track and Field for over 40 years as a runner and coach, as well as heading up Team Sales for Reebok, Hind Team Sports, and Pacific Coast Sportswear. Additionally, he has coached at all levels; High School, Community College, University, Club, the US National XC team (’96 & ’05), and the Nigerian Olympic Team.
“Peanut knows our Core Sports from all angles and we are ecstatic to have him join our team,” states Billy Smith, CEO of VS Athletics. He adds, “Peanut was there for us when we started as Venue Sports in 1992. He was the reason Reebok was the first vendor we opened with. Peanut has always worked diligently to help us grow our business with the brand he represented.”
“I’ve known the crew at VS for many years and have seen them grow from the Nike-esque days of event sales out of Billy’s black Mazda truck, through the merger with Springco in 2003, and ultimately becoming one of the Nation’s leading Track and Field/Cross Country suppliers. They are passionately devoted to Track and Field/Cross Country and I am extremely excited to join the team! It truly is a wonderful opportunity.”
VS Athletics is a national track and field supplier for uniforms, track shoes, track equipment, and training equipment headquarted in San Luis Obispo, CA with the sales office and distribution center in Torrance, CA. 800-676-7463
VSAthletics.com
Peanut can be reached by email at
peanut@vsathletics.com
