Craig Masback’s achievements include a degree from Princeton, a fellowship at Oxford, a senior associate position for a law firm, ownership of a sports marketing company and an analyst’s job for televised track and field meets. For the last 10 years, he has been the chief executive officer of USA Track and Field, helping the sport regain some of its luster.

Last week, he resigned to become director of business affairs for Nike Global Sports Marketing. He will oversee Nike’s contracts with athletes, sports teams, leagues and federations.

Monday, in a conference call with the New York Track Writers Association, he talked of the high and low points of his career with the national governing body. The high point, he said, came during last summer’s world championships in Osaka, Japan.....