Meet Loses Its Longtime Name, but Indoor Track Survives for ’96

For the first time in 27 years, promoter Al Franken had no oranges to distribute to news conference participants. But he had something more important for the future of his annual indoor track meet at the Sports Arena.

Athletes.

The meet was in jeopardy after Sunkist withdrew as the title sponsor after its 26th year in 1995, but Franken, with assistance from the L.A. Sports & Entertainment Commission and the Sports Arena, was able to announce Wednesday that it will be held as scheduled Feb. 24.

The meet, which began 37 years ago, will be called the L.A. Invitational.

As usual, Franken has commitments from about 2,000 high school athletes and the major colleges in the area, including UCLA and USC.

With a reduced budget, he might have a harder time attracting elite athletes in an Olympic year, but among those agreeing to compete so far are world champion shotputter John Godina, world 200-meter bronze medalist Jeff Williams and milers Darcy Arreola and Suzy Favor-Hamilton.