``Very possible'' that Hightower could move from board chair to CEO of U.S. track

I heard the list of the final three candidates and Stephanie was not one of them. We all know Vin is saying he will stay at Oregon so that leaves two. I highly doubt USATF would make such a stupid move to put Stephanie in a even higher role of power. The board needs to make a decision between the last two. Once they do that the board should vote Stephanie out and make the new CEO the President of the Board as well, since their by-laws allow it.

Truly scary. Just the formula to destroy USATF and running altogether. Cronyism at its best.

Most Importnat wrote:

I agree. The insiders will contnue to limit democracy by making people travel to odd places to vote in person. They'll keep having champs in the same places limiting the fans, local support, athletes, and overall exposure of our sport. Unless we free up this corruption, our sport will remain stifled, for an exotic health niche like it is viewed now by the American public. I see most important issues for USATF reform are:

Internet Voting

Term Limits

10 Year Rule on Championships Location

If you think the "insiders" - the Annual Meeting selection committee which is comprised of paid USATF staff - are trying to limit things in any way, I don't think you're informed.

There's the site locations. Outside of the 4 year rotation to Indianapolis (where they are based and saves USATF a TON of $$) they've done a great job of rotating host sites.

And like MY $.02 said, until you have the volunteer base to support a major championship, you will not be considered as an option. I think a 4-year rule would be more appropriate, and the track capacity had better ~10,000. (Hayward currently listed as 10,500, which only includes bleacher seats). Before 2008, the Oly Trials were last held in Eugene in 1980. They are deserving. Here's the list of Nat'l Championships sites:

Nat'l Champs. sites should always be held in favorable weather. In late June, the midwest is pretty hot and humid with risk of thunderstorms. West Coast is just the best option.

But cheers to Internet Voting. An online system where you log-in with your Membership # and cast your vote would seem to be pretty cheap and easy.

The bid model is a failed model. Marketing studies show you determine where your markets are and go after them for revenue. Find your primary markets and sieze the customers. The major markets are NY, LA, SF, Chi, Hou. This is where USATF should be hosting championships on it's own dime, with help from the local USATF chapters.

luv2run wrote:

http://www.boardsource.org/Knowledge.asp?ID=3.368

The above is a pretty good description of what I think a board should do.

The Board and the Committee chairs have determined that they are the most knowledgeable track minds in the country (if not the world). Did you ever see Stephanie "operate" as Women's T&F Chair at a meet? Roll in at the last minute and demand changes big and small (one of which was not removing her pre-teen son and nephew from the HJ pit at the Sacramento Trials despite nearly colliding with athletes who were warming up). Lionel Leach, king of the youth meet universe, and his cadre of barely amubulatory committee-folk, even worse? I never saw the "leadership" at an international meet but I suspect it was even worse.

I agree. The insiders will contnue to limit democracy by making people travel to odd places to vote in person. They'll keep having champs in the same places limiting the fans, local support, athletes, and overall exposure of our sport. Unless we free up this corruption, our sport will remain stifled, for an exotic health niche like it is viewed now by the American public. I see most important issues for USATF reform are:

Internet Voting

Term Limits

10 Year Rule on Championships Location

NO SHIT ! Rotate out the dead weight every two terms. Only have the Oly Trials and USA Champs in the top 3 metro areas for maximum exposure.

They should make Jill Geer, their media director, CEO. She's been there for years and knows how it all works. She has been diplomatic and resilient through all of the chaos, including failed athlete drug tests, Logan's firing and more.

She is well received by both the athletes and media and as a former athlete wants what is best for track and field in our country.

nikeman wrote:

They should make Jill Geer, their media director, CEO. She's been there for years and knows how it all works. She has been diplomatic and resilient through all of the chaos, including failed athlete drug tests, Logan's firing and more.

She is well received by both the athletes and media and as a former athlete wants what is best for track and field in our country.

The short answer is: she is sane.

Doing what you do well does not mean you can do another job with the same positive results.

Of course if she is ready to retire then she should go for it wait for SH to fire you sail off in the golden parachute.

Well that would make too much sense.

How much will the Search Committee earn for recommending Stephanie Hightower?

Fine. Let's give Jill a chance. She has great legs and a super fine tight ass (at least when she ran at Arkansas). After two terms at any position Director and above, USATF people should be rotated out of USATF. Then she can get a real job.

We can send the rest of the USATF buffoons who are cut loose over here: http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/mega-monster-truck-rally-commercial-sunday-sunday-sunday/16ddea97fb1bcca8091b16ddea97fb1bcca8091b-889143362058?q=Monster+Truck+Rally+video&FORM=VIRE6

An honest question:

For everyone advocating term limits, do you know if there is a huge number of people clamoring to fill these positions on a regular basis?

Typically the best people don't want these board positions, especially in a non-profit organization like USATF. Look at the NCAA XC/Track Committee: not necessarily the best coaches, but filled with lots of administrators after power and influence.

The best coaches are coaching, just like the best athletes are competing. Who are you proposing fill these empty board spots?

Here's the e-mail that I sent to Steven Miller and Jack Wickens, two of the members of the Board of Directors that are involved in the search. Several of us are staging an e-mail campaign in favor of Jill Geer so that she will at least be considered as a candidate. If you'd like to help, let me know.

Dave

_______________________________

I have been actively involved in track and field for 30 years as an athlete, coach and fan. I have been following the search for a new CEO for USATF for some time now. It is my understanding that certain candidates have refused the position and that other candidates have been eliminated in the process, and I have some concerns regarding the potential outcome.

I have watched the work of Jill Geer for some time now. As far as I can tell, she is almost universally respected by both athletes and the media in their dealings with USATF. I believe that as a former athlete and a fan of the sport she knows more about our sport than just about anyone in the country. She also has managed not to be tarnished by the scandals she has had to deal with including failed drug tests and political battles at USATF.

In an organization where trust and reputation seem most important than ever, I think that she has done a great job of rising above the negativity and upholding the integrity of USATF. I think that Jill is one person that is already familiar with the inner workings of USATF and combined with her knowledge and love of the sport, that she would be a great candidate to lead us into the future.

I would like to see Jill Geer considered for the position of CEO. It is my firm belief that she would be a fantstic choice for the job.

Best regards,

Dave Ross

Wow two people listed Seattle/Husky Stadium as a great host city for USAs, which shows how out of touch they are. Husky Stadium's track is being removed this summer, it has hosted its last meet. There are no other tracks in Seattle that could host an elite Championship meet. Dempsey Indoor is a great track but has no seating and is only a good facility for track fans, you couldn't try to bring in any new fans, they would be lost.

Dave,

You can add my name to those who endorse Jill Geer.

Tom

Tom,

If you(or anyone else here) would like to endorse Jill please e-mail Jack Wickens and Steven Miller at

smiller@agassi.net

and

runjackw@gmail.com

.

We need to make our voices heard and do what is in the best interest of track and field in our country.

Cheers,

Dave

10 Year Rule wrote:

We should have a 10 year rule for championships and Olympic Trials. I.E. no city/venue can hold a major meet for 10 years after hosting it. That way our showcase meets get spread around the country and helps promote our sport. We're stuck in a rut now having champs over and over again in the same boring and dead little piss hole towns. It's pathetic how little exposure we get in the media.

You realize that even the Super Bowl has never had a ten year span without repeating a host city, right? And that's something cities are willing to fight hard over. Moron.

1st 12 wrote:

Penn

Kansas

Mt Sac

UT Austin

Husky

Florida

Drake

Hughes

Cerritos

Home Depot

Stanford

Cal

Totally stupid.

Stanford, holds what, 2,000 people?

Etc.

The trials need to be someplace where the athletes have a chance of being appreciated by attendance/fans at the meet.

Eugene, is a good as it gets for Track in the USA.

That's just the way it is - This Country, does not care about track and field.

At least one town / state does.

Good on them.