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"Shin Splints"
A Blog by Doug Logan

A New Era

Monday, February 09, 2009

I want to express my heartfelt thanks to the members of the Project 30 Task Force for the monumental service they have performed in delivering today's report. They have exceeded my expectations, and this organization - indeed, the sport - owes them a huge debt of gratitude. They have objectively appraised the condition of the High Performance aspects of our organization, pulled no punches and given us a roadmap for the future.

I have read the report several times and will confess that some of their findings are jarring and shocking. However, we must all be big enough to admit our lapses and move to improve. Simple failings require decision makers to make changes; systemic failings cry out for transformational change. I will leave it to the reader to reach his or her own conclusion as to what has been identified.

I will take several weeks to choose a course of action, but act I will. During that deliberative period I will reach out for advice from our constituencies. I will solicit input from all stakeholders and listen to unsolicited sources. At the end of this time period, I will draft an action plan that responds to these recommendations, present it formally to our new Board of Directors and publish it on this platform.

Those actions that I can take of my own authority, I will implement immediately. Those that require Board approval will be submitted to them with a justification for passage. Those actions that may require a Bylaw change will be introduced to the appropriate process. In the event that I take exception to any specific recommendation, I will publicly make my case for not adopting it.

In a recent article in The New Yorker, Arlene Croce reminded me of one of my favorite quotes from George Balanchine, the great choreographer: "My muse must come to me on union time". He was lamenting the fact that even great artists are required to conform to the realities of practical constraints. There may be practical limitations to implementing the recommendations of this panel. However, I pledge to you my energies and talents to stretch the elasticity of this institution. We will follow this blueprint and we will get better.

Please read this entire report and, if you choose, reach out to me with your comments. In closing, I need to thank two other individuals. When I decided we needed this institutional review, I asked Jim Scherr of the USOC for assistance, and he assigned three of his best and brightest to the task. We are indebted to him for his help. Finally, my colleague Jill Geer has done yeowoman service in providing administrative support to the task force. As scribe, she has written a thesis-worthy document that sets a high standard of excellence. Thanks, Jill.

COMMENTS
Doug, you continue to set the bar very high and have never lost sight of what is most important for USATF and the sport. I admire your courage and tenacity! I hope you get 30 (or more) in London.
Posted by: Dale Neuburger on 2/9/2009 9:48:31 AM PT
Thanks for all you're doing. I think it's appreciated at all levels of the sport. I skimmed the report & generally liked what was noted. I'm not sure how unionizing would put power in the hands of the athletes though...didn't work with NFL, MLB, etc.
Posted by: Mike Young on 2/9/2009 10:42:55 PM PT
I also really agree about the need for more cooperation between sport science and coaches / athletes. If you have the time I wrote some more ideas here: http://www.elitetrack.com/blogs/details/4006/
Posted by: Mike Young on 2/9/2009 10:45:05 PM PT
The proposal is fine but I would like to know what you are doing to make the sport more accessible. I looked all over for the cross-country championships only to learn that USATF does not allow online coverage because it PAYS ESPN to show a few minutes of the races a week later. I think the sport needs to rethink its approach and embrace the internet.
Posted by: Tom Smolders on 2/10/2009 7:47:54 AM PT
I disagree with dropping the National Relay program.The Relay Teams competing at the Large Invitational Track Meets is the most exciting forms of entertainment for the fans at the meets.The media and the fans are getting tired of the individual events where about one-third of the stars don"t show up to compete. Time to Understand the Modern Sports Culture is about Teams and the the National Relay Team is Headed in the right direction.Just ask NASCAR....
Posted by: Bob Fraley on 2/10/2009 8:28:03 AM PT
Doug, Thank you for the 30UK12 pin that you sent to board members, that was very thoughtful of you. I am very excited about your leadership, and I look forward to new initiatives that will be developed as a result of your task force. I am especially excited in how you've brought some of our stars back to the sport (Example: Carl Lewis).
Posted by: Jack Hazen on 2/10/2009 11:03:09 AM PT
While I was very fascinated with some of the comments put forth by the "Project-30", I am confused that some of the "fixes" infer that we, otherwise, are on strong footing in this sport. We are on no footing at all. An athletes' union? First, we have to create, or rather, re-create this sport, lest we think that having a handful of athletes able to make a living by plying their trade abroad for seven months out of the year, while thousands of others have to work nine-to-five, live commune-style away from home, beg some shoe company for hand-outs, all just for the chance to "maybe" have that big breakthrough performance that puts them only in position to receive a paltry $15k for breaking an American Record. In a recent NBA game, the coach for the Boston Celtics was fined $25k just for arguing back to the referee..and our all-time top vaulter isn't even worth that? Then, what is there to fix? There is nothing to fix. What is needed is creation. Bob Fraley is right about the relay being the most exiting part of a Meet. And he is on the right track to suggest that we look more to a team format on a high-profile level. I, personally, don't think that the relays necessarily need to be comprised of "all-stars" though. We need to go back to relying on the quality of the product...running, throwing, jumping...and promote the beauty of competition and let the "stars" develop from chemistry with the fans, charisma in performance, and of course, excellence. But, annointing someone the "star" just because he or she is the fastest just doesn't always resonate with the one group most conspicuous by its' absence in the report...the fan. Create and cultivate fans, and you create a sport. Once we create a sport, then we can visit the notion of athlete- equity financially. Of course, the topic of Olympic selection is one that is noteworthy to be sure, but I hope that we can aspire to be greater than a once-every-four-years entity.
Posted by: Len Webb on 2/10/2009 3:40:53 PM PT
I believe it's time for USA Track & Field to open your eyes. The last CEO was concerned about money. But, the office is loaded with part-time but full-timed salaried staff. Talk about wasting resources? First, you have to be honest when conducting research and putting together a report. You don't start cutting events that have represented this country for many years! USA Track & Field needs to take a hard look at internal full/part-time staff. Are some staff in place due to politics? Hmmm...maybe so. Next, look at your youth development. Currently, does USA Track & Field really do it's best to promote to youth recreational leagues. Baseball, basketball, football, ice hockey and swimming have there organizations together. Yes, I know, Football is not an Olympic Sport. But, kids love these sports due to what reason? Reason: Each of these sports sells itself. People itch to purchase tickets, see there role models and the organizations provide initiatives for youth leagues. Additionally, Doug, you need to explore employee moral at the National office. You've brought many honest statements to the webpage! Kudos to you. Look at your marketing, youth development, sport science and coaching education programs. Be honest! All of these areas need help. Second, look at the salaries of staff. It's a disgrace when staff are making less than $30,000 and your making $500,000 plus a year. Did you take this job for the money or passion? Marketing is more than getting sponsors. It's image, branding and PR. Furthermore, it's tough to succeed when you have a elite athlete department with no true director for over 2yrs. The best way to wake up an organization is to shake your office staff up and install some reality in to them. NASCAR is more successful than track & field. Sad thing is- TRACK and FIELD is the oldest sport known to man.
Posted by: John Doe on 2/10/2009 5:03:13 PM PT
For Track and Field to move forward, people in the sport, must understand the Priciples of the Modern Sports Culture 1.Sport depends upon the society in which it takes place. 2.Success of marketing in today's sports world is to develop an emotional connection between the athlete and the fans. 3.Athletes, coaches and other sports figures cannot become highly respected unless the sport is valued by society. 4.Without widespread fan interest and support,the mass media will not spend large sums of money or provide extensive coverage of sports events. The Big Question for the sport: How can we present a traditional sport built upon the values of higher, faster, further to a team-oriented and time-conscious society?
Posted by: Bob Fraley on 2/11/2009 11:22:32 AM PT
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Photo of Doug Logan Doug Logan is the CEO of USA Track & Field (USATF), the national governing body for track and field, long distance running, and race walking. Headquartered in Indianapolis, the organization has more than 90,000 members throughout the country.