Membership costs $29.95 - do you get anything for it or just the ability to say "I belong to USATF"?
Membership costs $29.95 - do you get anything for it or just the ability to say "I belong to USATF"?
a sticker that says usatf
Chicks really dig it.
and is it worth it wrote:
Membership costs $29.95 - do you get anything for it or just the ability to say "I belong to USATF"?
If you don't pay then you have no right to complain about what USATF does because you're not helping. You also can attend the convention, join committees and affect change for the sport. In short you get to do more than just talk like most track fans do.
insurance coverage at meets
There's many events you can't compete in unless you're a member.
If you want to run on the track after college you pretty much have to join the USATF.
800 dude wrote:
If you want to run on the track after college you pretty much have to join the USATF.
That depends on what level you are talking about. There are plenty of "all-comers" meets available. Obviously if you want to try to win money in your state's 10K championship you have to join. But for Joe Average runner there doesn't seem to be much advantage. Kinda like joining the USGA to get a bag tag for your golf bag.
Craig Masback gets $400k to live in one of the least expensive cities in the country. What are you complaining about?
insurance for running related injuries...I've used it before with a chiropractor who took it.
Despite efforts to improve the image and the product, the general impression is that it is not worth the thirty dollars.
Numbers don't lie. Memberships levels are appalling. Administrators of the sport like to quote the huge number of participants on the high school, collegiate and open levels, and then whisper quietly when realying the actual number of members.
I took a dump on my membership and made a pledge eat it.
Heres where it goes wrote:
Craig Masback gets $400k to live in one of the least expensive cities in the country. What are you complaining about?
Hey, local income tax in Indy is going up 65% this year, in addition to property taxes rising 50-75%....look for a significant raise for Mr. Masback to cover these new expenses.
You get a national and regional organization for our sport. Competition makes no sense without the cooperation that rules and standard practices allow.
We have to agree on the lengths of races, measurement, records, championships, clubs vs pickup teams, weights of the things throwers throw, poles, pits, hurdle heights, the measurements of tracks, lane size, relays, record keeping.
$30 is not too much to pay to be part of an organized sport.
With one road race's entry fee almost that large for service during a fraction of a day, $30 for a year is a deal.
Tom
ps I do not mean to imply that USATF, its officers, employees, and policies are above criticism. Of course the organization could do more.
$30 is less than a magazine subscription. It's less than three meals out. It's one tank of gas. It's not that much. If everyone was paying maybe USATF could do more of the stuff we all ask for on here.
Chances are that if you are complaining then you can't afford it.
No kidding. I spent that much on a night out to see Pirates of the Caribbean 3, and that was so not worth it.
I got a discount USATF tickets for me & my friends and my T&FN subscription. Those alone added up to about $45. Worth it.
you guys are getting EXACTLY the organization you deserve. if all your whiny distance c*nts supported this organization 1/10 as much as you bashed it, our sport would be in much better shape.
it's so easy to sit back and take potshots at everyone who is involved and making an effort to build USATF, and another matter entirely to get involved in improving it, as in:
-buying a membership to provide financial support
-going to coaching schools to share your infinite wisdom, because everyone here is such a f*cking genius
-attending conventions
-organizing meets on the local level, including (and especially) youth meets
instead, you needledicks will waste your days posting anonymous crap complaining about everything you can think of. I can't wait till next week, when everyone climbs all over each other to say how bad the coaching school sucked. So predictable...
I was a very average club runner and was hospitalized
for severe dehydration after the '98 club x-c championships in Orlando. The usatf insurance that comes with the membership covered all hospital expenses.
I would have been in trouble if it wasnt for that.
OK, so it looks like you get:
1) insurance if you get hurt/sick at a race
2) ability to vote for USATF elected positions
3) a cool sticker for your car
4) opportunity to attend the convention
5) chicks (because they "really dig it")
Things you sacrifice:
1) magazine subscription OR
2) three meals OR
3) the opportunity to see Pirates of the Caribbean 3 (and consequently Keira Knightley)
Ok, the convention is way too costly (especially since it's in Hawaii next year), so that's out. I could use the sticker to help hold on my car's bumper since it's already being held on with my "My kid beat up your honor student" sticker. Do you have to attend the convention to vote or can you do it by absentee ballot? The votes aren't counted in Florida, are they? Never gotten hurt or sick at a race, but it's always a possibility. Chicks? I only get them when I put a paper bag over my head so I don't know how much it will help to be able to say, "You know what would look good on you? Me. Oh, and by the way, I belong to USATF."