Meet directors

The Millrose Games has been shaped by some of the most illustrious figures in track and field history, from the father-son Schmertz duo to today's leaders in athletics management.

Ray Flynn (2012-Present): Flynn is the Irish record holder in the mile, with a personal best of 3:49.77. Over the course of his racing career, he broke 4:00 in the mile an astounding 89 times. He founded Flynn Sports Management after retiring from competition, which has since grown into one of the largest agencies in the sport, representing many of the world's top athletes. Flynn took over Millrose in 2012, the same year that the meet moved from Madison Square Garden to The Armory, and he has been responsible for taking the event to new heights in the ensuing decade.

Mark Wetmore (2009-2011): Wetmore is the president of Global Athletics & Marketing, Inc, one of the top athletic representation firms in the world. Prior to his stint as meet director, Wetmore helped the Millrose Games secure financing from GAM when the meet was briefly without a title sponsor in 2005. He remains the meet director for the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, another large annual event.

David Katz (2004-2008): Katz founded Finish Line Road Race Technicians in 1978, and is one of the pioneers and innovators in the field of timing and meet technology. While meet director, Katz prioritized restoring the luster of the Wanamaker Mile, getting superstars such as Bernard Lagat and Alan Webb to compete at Millrose. Katz currently sits on the World Athletics Competition Committee, after serving four terms as a member of the IAAF Technical Committee.

Howard Schmertz (1975-2003): Schmertz took over the reigns from his father Fred in 1975 and retained the title of meet director emeritus until his death in 2014. He steered the Millrose Games through turbulent times in the track world, keeping the meet afloat even as appearance fees increased and attendance numbers dropped. Both Fred and Howard Schmertz were inducted into the National Track & Field Hall of Fame in 2012.

Fred Schmertz (1934-1974): Schmertz was a founding member of the Millrose Athletic Association in 1908, and served as assistant meet director for 20 years before ascending to the top spot in 1934. Schmertz, also known as "Mr. Millrose," was known for sending long, handwritten letters to top athletes that he wished to see compete, building Millrose into what he saw as the "indoor Olympics." This personal touch was emblematic of how Schmertz approached his role, pursuing close relationships with officials, athletes, and Olympians. Schmertz was also a lawyer for the Wanamaker family.

John G. Anderson (1920-1933): Anderson was an amateur golfer and the head of the golf department at the Wanamaker Department Store. He became meet director after being named chairman of the Millrose Athletic Association in 1919.

John J. McGowan (1915-1919)

Andrew Christie (1913-1914)

Johnny Fleeson (1912)

Col. Clarence W. Smith (1911)