Damning indictment of Stephanie Hightower

Oof. Both barrels fully unloaded.

Good read.

Yeah, nice, but it's mainly generalization and innuendo and shared wisdom...not big on specifics

Yeah Fine wrote:

Yeah, nice, but it's mainly generalization and innuendo and shared wisdom...not big on specifics

Yeah, but it will take stuff like this to rouse the mob.

So while I don't know this to be a "fact," I have it from a pretty reliable source that SH's bONUS after the 2012 OLY Games was $400,000+. Remember that at least as far as I know, she did not coach an athlete. Point being that USAYF has gone to the corporate model - it is ALL about money and power for the select few at the top. Greed on all levels is the hallmark of modern America.

Of course she is unfit. She is simply a 'hey, look at me... I'm elite' wannabe.

In Moscow, she told the athletes to stay out of trouble, because she didn't want to be bothered while getting "tilt" in the IAAF/VIP areas. Literally... that is what she said.

Pure class!

Yeah Fine wrote:

Yeah, nice, but it's mainly generalization and innuendo and shared wisdom...not big on specifics

Here's a specific: the board overturned a clear vote of support for Hersh in deference to Hightower. Such a move is a clear sign that she and her cronies need to go. The lack of ethics and regards for the wishes of the membership is staring you in the face.

OXYRUNR wrote:

So while I don't know this to be a "fact," I have it from a pretty reliable source that SH's bONUS after the 2012 OLY Games was $400,000+. Remember that at least as far as I know, she did not coach an athlete. Point being that USAYF has gone to the corporate model - it is ALL about money and power for the select few at the top. Greed on all levels is the hallmark of modern America.

Bonus from who? She is a volunteer with USATF, not a paid employee.

I think what you're referring to is the compensation that Benita Mosley received in the 2012 fiscal year. According to the USATF tax return she received just under $400,000 in total compensation. Mosley received $182,030 in total compensation last year. Hightower is not paid by USATF or at least as far as we know. Nothing is on their tax return. One interesting thing, however, is that administrative and governance costs have risen from $989,430 in 2011 to $1,291,288 in 2012 to $2,783,939 last year.

I have an idea. Flood the IRS with requests for an audit. Someone will be looking for a promotion. Furthermore, tell them that SH and the USATF are conservative groups.

Those admin finances are quite an eye-opener. Some people, not just one, are doing really bad jobs.

what does her role require?

why isn't that money going to support athletes?

the board overturned a decision by vote...? what..?

pronto wrote:

what does her role require?

why isn't that money going to support athletes?

the board overturned a decision by vote...? what..?

Whose role, Stephanie's? Which role, President, or IAAF Council nominee?

What money? Stephanie is a volunteer.

Yes, the bylaw changes that were passed hours earlier allowed them to overturn the vote and they did. Prior to those changes, it would have been solely up to the Board, there would have been no vote, we would have had the same outcome, but with less drama. In this case, the drama is a good thing, it is exposing a problem. IMO anyway.

I agree the article doesn't contain much.

Most news "reporters" in USA aren't worth dog feces. Even when they are worth more than that, they are often hamstrung by overwork, tiny expense budgets, and editorial censorship.

I don't know what organizations she's wrecked, and some references would help.

This kind of crap is not new. The modern Olympic movement was corrupt at the start, and while some things have changed for the better, some have changed for the worse.

One of the dumbest things I remember the IAAF doing is retaining Primo Nebiolo as IAAF president after the 1987 World championships, where an Italian official blatantly cheated in favor of an Italian athlete. Nebiolo was also head of the Italian Athletics Federation at the time, but he did not resign either post, although the whistle-blower was fired as Italian coach. While Nebiolo was not (IIRC) personally suspected as being involved, he certainly did not take command responsibility or set a good example.

What money? ___ is a volunteer.

Why do you keep saying that? This article says it is a job that pays very well. Just because it is non-profit, doesn't mean it doesn't pay well. Look at NYRR's president.

Read this for a quote about how much the job paid in 2010:

Scott Reid has written many articles calling out various abuses in the SoCal area, and appears to be a legitimate journalist. Is there a connection between him and David Greifinger, who has been a gadfly against USATF ever since he (Greifinger) was ousted as USATF's lawyer?

Hightower has to go, but let's take a few moments to make sure that the folks who want to supplant her aren't worse than the incumbent. Admittedly, that would be pretty tough to do - still worth being careful.

knows how to read wrote:

What money? ___ is a volunteer.

Why do you keep saying that? This article says it is a job that pays very well. Just because it is non-profit, doesn't mean it doesn't pay well. Look at NYRR's president.

Read this for a quote about how much the job paid in 2010:

http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/sports_globetrotting/2010/09/new-us-track-ceo-a-stephanie-sequel-hightower-not-actively-pursuing-it.html

Hightower is the PRESIDENT of USATF, an unpaid, volunteer position. The article you linked refers to the then-open CEO position.

I have seen this kind of uproar in other organizations and nothing really changes. After a few weeks, it will blow over and there won't be enough momentum to make change. The only way to effectuate change is by having everyone on letsrun.com join USATF and then using mass numbers to make the change by putting our own leadership in place. I will gladly have Wejo or Rojo in a leadership role. From my years on this website I am certain they adhere to a high ethical standard.

Otherwise, this is just a big waste of time.