The Head Of USATF Wants To Talk To You
January 26, 2009
Written by Mr.Voice
It’s not often that you get the chance to speak your mind directly to the head a of major national sports organization, but USATF honcho Doug Logan has invited us to help him with a “report card” evaluating his first few months in office. (Cut him some slack on the Olympics and last season’s TV coverage–he wasn’t in office early enough to prevent those fiascoes.)
“Consistent with my desire that our governance be transparent, I am starting what I hope will be an annual, institutional tradition. I am publishing, below, my self-evaluation of my performance for the year 2008. You, as our extended family, are entitled to see what my professional goals are, and, more importantly, how I believe I stacked up against them. Feel free [not that you need my permission] to let us know whether you agree or disagree with my assessment.”
I think “the soccer guy” (also a highly decorated combat veteran of the 101st Airborne–what we used to call a”War Hero”) will actually read comments you post on his blog. One way to to get his or somebody’s
attention in Indianapolis is to question whether the boss is listening.
My response to contributor “b” is the following. “Oh ye of little faith”. Of course I read the input! Why, in blazes, would I go out of my way to create a mechanism for feedback if I didn’t intend to use it. I do not want to get into a debate over issues and ideas that are presented to me. My goal is to be provocative so I can hear what you have to say. Thank you for participating in this exercise of the free flow of ideas.”
One of these days we might give ol’ Doug a call and give him a little friendly provocation. Did I Hear somone say I wouldn’t dare? Try me.
But for now, Track Mom community, we need to trust Mr. Logan until he gives us reason to doubt him. If this ten year-old child could find the voice to speak her mind to the most powerful man in the sport, you can, too:
“
Well, I feel that anyone who wants to take away Youth Track is selfish and uncaring and definitely unaware. Track and Field has built so many good characteristics for kids. Track has given kids courage, confidence, and the satisfaction of giving something their all. Track has built up so many good athletes and good people on and off the track. I’ve gone all over the country and competed against all kinds of people. But track has taught one main thing and that is ‘don’t give up…”
–Lauren, age ten
Go to Doug Logan’s blog Shin Splints blog . Right now. Read the rest of Lauren’s post, then add your own thoughts about the future of USATF Youth.
Tell Doug that Track Mom and her zany sidekick Mr. Voice sent you.
Til next time,
Stay to the left and come back in a hurry.
Mr Voice
Related posts:
- Doug Logan’s Shin Splint Blog.. Back To Basics
- USATF Has An New CEO Doug Logan
- What Can The USATF Do For Track and Field?
- The 2009 Bantam Girls Long Jump USATF Responds
- All That Fine Print
Honestly, I hope that track and field for youth is around for a LONG time. It gives me something to do, and it opens up so many doors for people. I have to say he is a little, actually A LOT selfish if he doesn’t care about the youth. How does track make it any different from any other sport? You don’t see people from soccer clubs thinking about taking away soccer. So how is it any different?! Track is like a motivator for most people, and it makes them want to work hard, and to see that if you really want something you may have to make sacrifices and you have to do everything that is going to make you succeed to get to that goal. It gives kids confidence, and teaches kids that if you don’t want to make sacrifices you may not get what you want. And if he is the one who changed the age groups for the 2009 season, I really dislike him, because now I have to run against people who are 2 years older then me, and it doesn’t give me a fair shot to make it to nationals. I am glad to have made it to regionals, but that is where my track season ended, and if I was still a midget, I would have made it to nationals!!
Thoughts from a 12 year old.