All That Fine Print
October 20, 2008
All that Fine Print
‘Tis the Season for Membership Renewal and Conventions , Know the Rules, Know Your Rights
Unless you’ re on the Cross-Country circuit we’re in the doldrums of the off-season, and it’s a good time to bone up on the rules and get to know the leaders who make them. Even if you are at a Cross-Country meet–especially– at a Cross-country meet– you can find the time to stay informed.
The biggest competitions affecting most track parents this fall won’t happen in stadiums, but in convention halls, banquet rooms, and maybe even plush suites like this one: Smoke filled rooms aren’t what they used to be!
Just imagine the lavish suite in Cancun that will be enjoyed by AAU President Bobby Dodd. Pretty nice for an unsalaried volunteer, huh? Well, as long as he’s using it for the greater good of AAU. Can you say “executive session?” I figure the whole AAU Board of Directors can fit cozily inside if they need some privacy. Maybe they’ll have enough room to shoot some hoops. In future posts I will explain why AAU the higher-ups are especially fond of basketball.
But after all, AAU is a multi-sport organization, and wherever–high school, college, you name it– two or more sports are assembled, track always takes the back seat, right?
Track is the Priorty
At least our sport–if not our youth athletes– is always uppermost in the minds of the USATF. No wonder that USATF recently hired as its new top man..a soccer guy? I am withholding judgment on the fitness of Mr. Doug Logan to lead our sport’s governing body. Many have a lot of questions,(not judgement) about this hire, and I’m sure you do, too. In the coming weeks we’ll be taking a look at where USATF has been, and where it’s headed. He will set the stage for OUR youth athletes in the coming years.
Who makes the rules our kids play by, and what rules govern them ? What changes do the conventioneers have in store for our kids? What do you need to know to protect your young athlete at the track and your family in a competitive, largely unregulated marketplace?
Trackmom says if you want to make the most of the coming season, you’d better get start on your your homework now!
Link to:
AAU
2009 Athletics (Trackand Field) Handbook
AAU Codebook (Constitution, Bylaws, and National Policy)
USATF
2008 USATF Governance Manual
USATF Competition Rules
Next in this series: Trackmom takes a look at membership cards.
Until Next Time,
Related posts:
- The Head Of USATF Wants To Talk To You
- Monday Morning Housekeeping
- The Magic Of Cross
- Youth Drug Testing to Begin In 2009 ,The Future Is NOW
- Youth Runners and Cross County Running
Good read, thanks for the information, it was really informative.
Regarding USATF competition rules and other things of interest to parents of Youth athletes (which I am one), if one can afford the time and finances, register (if you’re a USATF member) and attend the USATF Annual Meeting which will be held in Reno, Nevada, December 3 - 7, 2008.
This is where track & field’s movers & shakers gather and it is an opportunity for the “grassroots” to let their voices be heard on the matters that mean most to them. Not only that, this is an election year for USATF as the person who is elected President will help establish the “Big Picture” from elite level on down to the Youth level in terms of competition events.
Check out http://www.usatf.org if interested.
Michael,
You are so right and my article today actually has the same information regarding the upcoming USATF Annual Meeting.
Thanks for stopping by!
TrackMom