"Wimps"
GeezerJock: Fun, eye-grabbing, I'll pick up that magazine. Masters Athlete: Boooooooring. You guys are wimps.

Karen Fishback
Los Gatos, Calif.
 
"You gave in"
So you gave in. Didn't want to offend anyone. Used to be people had the strength of their convictions, and those who disagreed would just have to deal. But like so much of America today, you gave in to the whiners. When I'd bring the magazine into work and leave it in the break room, I saw more than one person start reading it and go, "Wow! Look at all these old people." I'd ask them why they picked it up, and they said the title intrigued them. C'mon, change the name back!

Christine Gasco
Commerce Township, Mich.

"Not as much fun"
If GeezerJock was exclusionary, then Masters Athlete is certainly elitist. I loved GeezerJock -- hilarious, in-your-face, proud. Oh well, I can adjust. Just not as much fun.

Mike Smithmier
Orland Park, Kan.

"Can't believe it"
I simply cannot believe you changed your name because a few readers were embarrassed by the title. I, for one, found much humor in the name GeezerJock. As a 44-year-old athlete, I have always been proud to show my high school-aged, three-sport athletic children that "Mom" can still run and play with the best of them. I will certainly always enjoy this magazine, whatever the title. I just didn't see a reason to change the name.

Melissa Locast
Wantagh, N.Y.

"So boring"
First, I have really enjoyed your magazine from Day 1, but most important I loved the name GeezerJock; it was original and special. Masters Athlete shows no originality. I'm disappointed the magazine succumbed to pressure from some stuffy old "geezer!" Please change the name back!

Joanne Kaeding
Chicago

"Geezerjocks of the world, unite!"
Receiving Masters Athlete magazine was so disappointing, it prompted me to write my first letter to the editor anywhere. The name GeezerJock was what attracted me to the magazine in the first place, and I tell people about it all the time. It's memorable, it has a sense of humor, it's gutsy. How could you possibly get excited about a magazine called Masters Athlete? Changing the name was a huge mistake, and I just hope geezerjocks around the world protest enough to bring the old name back. Geezerjocks of the world, unite!
 
Dave Bernaus
Swarthmore, Pa.

"Blah"
In the article, "Naming Right," [Masters Athlete, Jan.-Feb. 2008], you invited readers to tell you what we think of the new name. It is quite blah. I hate that you moved away from GeezerJock. I did have a good time with GeezerJock while it lasted, and for that I am thankful. I recall receiving the first issue, taking it to the office, taking it to the health club - it was such a novelty. Many thought that I had concocted the cover. The magazine received quite a bit of exposure. Masters Athlete will not be as tempting for our over-50 gang to view.

Dwain Baldridge
Salem, Ill.

"A vanilla shade of political correctness"
This new title is a vanilla shade of political correctness. When I bring GeezerJock to work at a local YMCA and put it in the reading rack, the title GeezerJock stands out among all the commonplace titles of the fitness and health magazines. Bring back the GeezerJock title. It's a name that sets the magazine apart from the prosaic titles of similar magazines.

George Fitzhenry 
Swampscott, Mass.

"A little timid"
I was so proud of your publication, as you took on the name GeezerJock. It was redolent of a jaunty, "eat my dust, kid" sort of hip, tongue-in-cheek attitude of self-acceptance and pride that I sensed fully embraced maturing physicality and ongoing expansion of athletic limits for all of us. This new name is generic, like any other fitness mag. I'm very sorry to see that the insecure have prevailed, once again, at the cost of originality. In the old days, I might've cancelled my subscription in protest; but, there is no point to that. It's an excellent magazine, if a little timid now.

Kile Ozier
New York, N.Y.

"Big mistake"
I think you're making a big mistake changing the name of the magazine. Every sports magazine puts out stories about their Masters athletes, but there is only one GeezerJock. I believe it's your biggest marketing attraction. Changing the name makes it just another sports magazine.

Eugene J. Couch Jr.
San Antonio, Texas

"Disappointed"
Well, in this age of political correctness, I knew it was coming. When your group set out to have a fun and informative national magazine for Masters competitors, I'm sure you were all high-fiving each other when you decided to go with the name GeezerJock. I shared your enthusiasm when I received my first issue. To a person, every one of my fellow "not in our prime" athletes loves the name. In fact, we chant the title as a mantra at Ernie Reyes' World Martial Arts in Gallatin, Tenn., whenever one of us performs or is testing for another belt level. But, as the disgruntled fuddy-duddies wrote in and complained, I held out hope that you would surely not change the name of your magazine. I was wrong, and I'm disappointed. Speaking as someone who's been involved in athletics most of my nearly 45 years on earth, and good heartedly accepted the changes to my abilities, I believe the term "geezerjock" reflected my still youthful enthusiasm about athletics and competition. The new magazine name only reflects the age category I'm in ... gee, thanks. I guess you'll start selling Masters Athlete apparel?  Good luck with that.

Alan Bickimer
Hendersonville, Tenn.

"Very disappointed"
I was very disappointed at the name change. Calling the magazine Masters Athlete may appeal to a few elite performers and some of the prissy who fantasize about being elite, but I'll bet most of us geezers identified better with the original name. It was unique and idiosyncratic and was fun to get and be seen reading. You have probably greatly reduced its store shelf appeal to most of the geezers still struggling to run a few miles, swim a few thousand yards, play a few good innings, or whatever form of exercise, each week to maintain our health. Reading GeezerJock was fun, reading Masters Athlete is kind of like reading the Harvard Business Review: maybe interesting, but kind of blah.
 
Steve Thrasher
Villa Hills, Ky.

"Seriously disappointed"
Sic transit gloria GeezerJock! I am seriously disappointed with your decision to rename the magazine. You have succumbed to the forces of political correctness and market-driven economics. GeezerJock had a cachet to it that Masters Athlete does not. It's like Arnold Schwarzenegger changing his name to Smith to get more votes. But I will not cancel my subscription. This is one of the few magazines I subscribe to. As long as the content stays up to the current standard of excellence, I will continue to read this publication, because this is not your publication. It is our publication, the geezerjocks of the world.
 
Peter D. Eikenberry Sr.
Seattle

"Concerned"
First, I could care less about the name change; however, as a charter subscriber, I'm more concerned about your emphasis on the 30+ designation for Masters. I've sponsored and managed mountain bike race teams, and let me assure you that the 30s are the peak years for riders, whether they are amateurs or pros. To lump a geezer like me (62) in with them is a bit of a stretch. I just don't have any interest in reading about 30-year-old athletes in your publication --there are a zillion mags that focus on them.

Bud and Janice Merrit
Milledgeville, Ga.

"No longer applies to geezerjocks"
I think that all Masters athletes are geezerjocks, but not all geezerjocks are Masters athletes. When I look at the new cover and the big, bold, red print of Masters Athlete resounding as if being blasted from a loudspeaker at a stadium, I feel the magazine no longer applies to geezerjocks like me.

Matthew Bonini
Chesterfield, Mo.

A geezerjock, not a Masters athlete
I'm 56 and though I've been involved in a number of competitive sports, I'll never think of myself as a "Masters athlete." No, like probably most of your readers, I just like to stay active and have fun doing it. Maybe you need two magazines: one for the elites and one for the rest of us who, with a bit of a sense of humor, are proud to just be geezerjocks.

Scott Urling
Auburn, Wash.

"Depressed"
Most people like to read about people who are like them. I am a good Masters athlete, still able to run a 5k in the 22-minute range at the age of 64, and thus able to place in my age group in many local races. It would seem that Masters Athlete would be a good read for an athlete like me. However, the magazine does not feature "good" Masters athletes, only very good and excellent athletes. I get depressed reading about the exceptional athletes who make my running times look like dirt.

Robert Maszak
Homewood, Ill.

"Geezerjock and darn proud of it"
Darn, just when I thought us old fellows had our own magazine, GeezerJock, you go and change it to Masters Athlete. I'm in my 70s, I'm a geezerjock and darn proud of it. You may change your name, but I'll wear my GeezerJock sweat shirt and cap with pride. P.S. It's still a good magazine.
 
Duane Lougee
Norfolk, Va.

"Alas"
Since I first started reading GeezerJock, I was aware of letters to the editor complaining of the magazine's name. I thought of these folks as geezer larvae ... humorless, self-absorbed, anal-retentive types. Some day they would evolve to become geezerjocks and be proud of it. Alas, their numbers are overwhelming, not to mention attractive to advertisers.

Bernie Wilson
Chicago

"Saddened"
As one of the original geezers, I am somewhat saddened to see the old title go, but change
happens and youth must be served. Which reminds me: Beginning in 2008 I expect you to raise the age limit on GeezerJock of the Year to 90+. I hit the big 9-0 in April, and, baby, I'm going after all those (cycling) records!

Gordy Shields
El Cajon, Calif.

"Bittersweet"
The name change to Masters Athlete is bittersweet to me. I totally agree with your rationale for the name change, but I absolutely loved the name GeezerJock. I have two GeezerJock T-shirts, and I am amazed at the number of conversations I get involved in when I wear those shirts. Of course, the good news is that the name change will not preclude me from wearing the T-shirts!
 
Sandy Scott
Seminole, Fla.

"Responsive to readers"
I think the new name is great!  Thanks for being responsive to readers - now I'll leave the magazine out for others to see!

Marylou Beban
Oakland, Calif.

Congratulations, Part 1

I would like to congratulate you on the name change. I am involved in the USA National Karate Federation and the International Racquetball Federation. We have large Masters programs in both sports on a national and worldwide basis. Every time I saw the magazine GeezerJock, I cringed that the name, although fun, was demeaning to all athletes who continue to compete and maintain physical fitness as they age. The use of the word GeezerJock was fine for a small group of guys who hang out together and enter a running event, but for the publicity and development of the Masters programs it just does not work and actually makes fun of the aging process. With the new name I am sure that you will find a much greater positive response to your efforts.

Luke St. Onge
Secretary General, International Racquetball Federation
CEO, USA National Karate Federation
 
Congratulations, Part 2
On behalf of the Masters Basketball National Championships, congratulations on the name change to Masters Athlete. I think you made an excellent choice. Among our community of Masters basketball players, I had heard considerably more negatives than positives about
GeezerJock.

Dave Hulett
COO-MBNC
Coral Springs, Fla.

"Much better"
GeezerJock is a mixed term: "geezer" pejorative, "jock" complimentary. Like "old fart" it's mildly funny at best. Masters Athlete is much better.
 
Bruce Edwards
Baton Rouge, La.

"The respect we deserve"
Glad you decided to rename the magazine. I always felt GeezerJock was cute but insulting. Yes, it got attention. Yes, it gave us older athletes a reason to chuckle at ourselves, but it was still a demeaning name and should never have been used in the first place. So, welcome Masters Athlete, which will give us the respect we deserve instead of the ugly jokes we really don't need to hear.

Joanne Williams
Milwaukee, Wis.

"You did well"
My goodness, what a list of potential names for GeezerJock! You did well with the name you decided on.

Charles Moore
Beebe, Arkansas

"Captures the spirit"
I want to compliment you on the name change. While clever, tongue-in-cheekish and downright descriptive, the original title has turned many, I fear, away from the serious, informational and downright inspirational nature of many of your articles. Masters Athlete more closely captures the spirit and focus of the magazine. Thank you for your marvelous publication.
 
Bernard R. Ditter
Charleston, S.C.

"Great idea"
Great idea to change the name of your magazine. I don't mind admitting to be a jock, but I never considered myself a geezer!
 
Jan Bartelt
North Oaks, Minn.

I am an original subscriber to GeezerJock, enjoy the magazine and applaud the new name. 

Benjamin Squires
Town not provided

"Never liked the name"
I never liked the name GeezerJock for a magazine or anything else. I have tried to warm up to your magazine but have found it difficult. I questioned in the past as to why there are 10-year age groups for GeezerJock of the Year. Your answer was not acceptable for a magazine that supports the Masters group of competitors. A study by USA Triathlon concluded there is a significant decline in performance for men and women at a specific age. For this reason, USAT requires for sanctioning of their events five-year age groups up to age 80. Rogue race directors have applied their own rules to this requirement. One race director in Kenosha, Wis., puts in an age group of 60-death, because he doesn't get as many entries as the lower age groups. How is that for being competitive? A suggestion to help Masters athletes of all sports is to identify these age discriminating race directors and races so your readers know what events are competitive.

Carl Granetzke
Racine, Wis.

Good journalism
In addition to being a Masters athlete and an American and world-record holder in javelin events, I have been associated with Popular Science, Motor Trend, Rolling Stone, Golf, Outdoor Life and many more magazines. In the past, I attempted to start The Senior Athlete magazine with interest from Sports Illustrated and other friends in the business of publishing sports magazines, but to little avail. My expertise has been in the advertising realm, but journalistically I am hip to lots of "bad" journalism. GeezerJock was "bad" journalism. Semi-shocking and somewhat pandering to get Johnny Six-Pack as a reader, you are well advised to represent what you actually are: a vehicle for the Masters athlete. GeezerJock was demeaning, insulting and pedestrian … but then again you have discovered that! Kudos!

Samuel Messiter
Pawlet, Vermont