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"Shin Splints"
A Blog by Doug Logan

Back to basics

Friday, September 18, 2009

My blog of September 16, while no candidate for a Pulitzer Prize, certainly touched some buttons among readers. I am amused that some have concluded that what I write about is all I do or think about. I do have a day job that keeps me very engaged and occupied. I do not discourage dissent from the opinions in my writing, but rather encourage this post to be a marketplace of ideas and views.

I have consistently stated that I have three principal objectives in writing this blog. First, it affords me the opportunity to get my message across in an unfiltered, unedited fashion. The fact that some news-stories have been written directly from quotes in the blog gives credence to the fact this is working. Secondly, it allows me a forum to explain not only what I am doing, but why. Finally, it is a chance for me to express my values and to explain a little of what makes me tick.

It is in the light of this third objective that I wrote the potpourri of thoughts and experiences that, I believe, demystify me and the position I hold. Of the 28 blogs I have written, this was the third that didn't deal directly with specific issues that were timely and at the heart of our sport. Some enjoyed it, others not. The other 25 blogs have been written with the first two objectives in mind.

Last year, in my hiring process, I was afforded the opportunity to address the USATF Board of Directors, 32 strong, in a telephone conference call. I had never met most of them, and it was my opportunity, through direct remarks, to express to them my views about this job. In the light of my third objective above, and consistent with my desire to operate in an open fashion, I am publishing those remarks, verbatim. I'll let you decide whether you think they bought a pig in a poke.

Look for more hot topics and relevant issues in the next edition.

**July 17, 2008**

Ladies and gentlemen,

I am delighted to have the opportunity to address you as the nominee for this challenging position. I would have preferred to stand before you face to face to present my credentials, but I will attempt to make the best of this format. I hope I can convince you of my love for the business of sports, my optimism about USA Track & Field, and my desire to be entrusted with the stewardship of the sport of athletics.

Who is Doug Logan?

I want to share with you some of the things that make me tick. I am an unabashed, lifelong sports fanatic. My maternal grandfather owned a baseball team in Havana, Cuba, and I grew up running around a stadium and locker rooms. I learned to read by following box scores. I love all sports and have been in attendance and cheered remarkable feats of athleticism that have made my spirits soar. First and foremost, I am a sports fan.

I am also a person who has an abiding respect for the value of physical exercise and competition. I have been running since my days in the military and have competed in numerous community road races. I have kept my old running logs and still compare my times with those of my youth. I should set the record straight. If road running is the grass roots of this sport, I am at the dirt roots level. I am, and have always been, slow, and my style can be described as "herky-jerky". I have logged a lot of miles on hard pavement in bad shoes and have the arthritic ankles to prove it. Despite the fact that I have replaced many of my workouts with an elliptical machine, there is still nothing more exhilarating than a 40-minute run.

I have a very strong set of values and am not embarrassed to own them. Accountability in the workplace has been a mark of my management style. You can, and should, hold me responsible for the institution. Criticize me or praise me, I will stand tall and offer no excuses or shift the finger of blame to anyone else. I respect honesty, candor and hard work. I speak in simple declarative sentences and you will always know where you stand with me. I abhor discrimination of any kind, including that based on gender, religion, race, age, sexual orientation or national origin. As a member of the fastest growing minority in this country, I know first hand the overt and covert poison of discrimination. I empathize with my brothers and sisters of color for the pain they have suffered in their battle to share fully in the American dream.

The management of this sport will lead the way in issues of equality. You will see this in the way I hire and in the way I will insist that the influence of all constituencies is felt at the policy making level. I believe in the best in people rather than the worst, and have confidence in my ability to motivate those around me to perform at their highest level. My style is inclusive and collegial and I surround myself with highly energetic colleagues who have fun at their work. I am passionate about the projects I take on and insist in high standards of professional ethics. Governance of this sport is a public trust and those of us who are privileged to serve must be held to high standards of honesty, morality and transparency. I will not embarrass you or the sport.

Why do I want this job?

First, I believe that track and field has the biggest upside potential of all the sports in this country. I respect the great strides that have been made in the last decade to bring the finances to a point of equilibrium and the company is poised to leap to the next level. All the necessary pieces for that advance are present. For its great work in managing the sport to health, this Board and its management staff deserve great accolades.

The sport of track and field is a great democratizer. Look at its participants; male, female, black, brown, white, Asian and Latino. Every conceivable body type is represented, including that of "normal" builds. Everyone has participated in it at some time in their life, whether trying to out-run their little sister or out-jump their next-door neighbor, everyone knows what it feels like to compete. It is truly one of the few sports-for-the-rest-of-your-life, as I am struggling to try to prove.

It is also a sport with a passionate, valuable following. I sat in the stands a few weeks ago in Hayward Field at the Olympic Trials and looked around me and thought, "What a great demo." This brand has blue-chip characteristics that can be married up with a large number of potential partners.

I know there are some challenges. The drug problems threaten to choke the life out of the sport and create inequities of competition that are shameful. What a tragedy for those who excel without cheating yet are covered by the tent of suspicion. Passive pronouncements, lawyerly explanations and defensive posturing do not work; just ask those who follow baseball. While much has been done to try to eradicate the problem, I believe a passionate voice of outrage needs to be raised on behalf of this body and I believe I can be that messenger.

The governance modalities of the past have served the company well, but now it is time to restructure the organization to adapt to the needs of the 21st century. I believe I can be a good faith agent for change in this process. I have no history with the organization, have no alliances, have no friends and, for now, have no enemies. If entrusted with stewardship of the sport, I will value the legacy and lessons of the past, commit to giving voice to those who may feel disenfranchised, yet firmly lead this body and its successors into the adventures of the future.

We must focus on maintaining and improving the U.S. position at the top of the medal charts in World Championships and Olympic Games. With my history in international business and sports, I believe I can facilitate an improvement in our relations with the IAAF and IOC. Our partnership with the USOC must be strengthened and normalized.

Much can be done to broaden the base of support from commercial partners. Television coverage needs to be expanded, put on a more regular schedule and promoted professionally. We need more events. The American athlete needs more domestic competition and we need to create an environment to foster it. These are problems I have tackled before and feel confident I can play a role in solving.

We have reached a point in our civilization where sports have become entertainment. However, to achieve success under that paradigm, our meets and competitions must be entertaining. We have to be creative in reaching new audiences with contemporary cultural tools, whether it is music, dramatic effects or tempo, while preserving the authenticity and purity of the competition. We must harness new media and make it a part of our culture. We must establish community with our extended family in the sport with modern mediums. I plan to start a personal blog.

Finally, a new day has to come in the relationship between the professional management of this sport and its volunteers. Management must respect and honor the selflessness of the thousands of volunteers that are the backbone of the organization. And, volunteers must have an appreciation for the accountability of the professional staff and treat those who labor on the sport's behalf with dignity. The relationship is a two way street; we cannot have comity without a renewed commitment to civility on both sides. I will institute a new "customer service" culture in the national office that treats the membership and volunteer leaders as clients. The first element will be an institutional change of attitude. In addition, I personally, will be the new arbiter of conflict. The umpire has arrived.

I am humbled by the support for my candidacy shown by your selection committee. I am honored to be entrusted with the best job in American sports and will not let you down.

COMMENTS
Doug, Thanks for the insights. Now, one of the items I would like you to put on your plat/platter is recognition and better partnership with the United States Corporate Athletic Association. We will be holding our 33rd National Meet in 2010. We are a parallel and complimentary group of dedicated T&F and RR runners for the USAT&F but to be blunt we have been "shunned" by Meets and members for some time. We will enhance and increase the viable participation of running and field events for all affiliated organizations; keep us in mind.
Posted by: Bruce Bradley on 9/18/2009 8:59:08 AM PT
Doug, my membership in USATF was pretty much a perfunctory, annual gesture for many years; however, that changed when I met Jim and Joyce Hite here in Georgia. Their generosity, enthusiasm, leadership, and commitment are infectious and barring injury, I will plan my schedule around USATF events. I welcome your promise.
Posted by: Arlene Dahlberg on 9/18/2009 9:28:17 AM PT
I appreciate the efforts of all 3 objectives, especially when they are delivered with personality. Occasionally, a lighter fare is a welcomed relief.
Posted by: Brad Harmon on 9/18/2009 10:32:45 AM PT
I missed reading on your blog coments about the World Champioship in Tsalonik(Greece). The great performances of Carmelita Jetter(best 100meters time this year), Sanya Richards and other American Athlettes. I missed your imput on the last meet of the season and where we are heading in the next 6 months.
Posted by: Renato Brito on 9/18/2009 10:34:28 AM PT
Hi, in exchange for airfare to a European country, a paid room and some kind of per diem plus a uniform and maybe a rubdown I would be willing to drop a baton, pass a baton outside of the zone, run out of my lane or anything else that I might be required to do as a member of the USA 4X100 relay team. Thank you for considering my application.
Posted by: troy dietz on 9/18/2009 10:46:27 AM PT
Oh, did I mention I'd also accept a salaried position to coach the 4X100 relay team? Either way, as an athlete or coach I'm sure that when the time comes I'll be up to the challenge of shirking responsibility and or blaming someone else.
Posted by: troy dietz on 9/18/2009 10:58:46 AM PT
Light stuff, like the playlist, is welcome every so often, particularly after the full-on intensity of Berlin. Enjoying the blog. Sorry I missed you at the Open!
Posted by: Mike Riccardi on 9/18/2009 11:13:37 AM PT
I am not sure that the current, cultural communication methodology is meeting any person's objective of communicating effectively. The lack of face to face and person to person oration has gone by the wayside. This "blogging and twittering" is like "girls gone wild"....out of control. Let's communicate in a fashion where we really understand one's intentions by seeing their body lanuage and emotions.
Posted by: Bo on 9/18/2009 11:17:46 AM PT
Damage control by using a speech that is over a year old, when you were but a neophite in administration. I had hope your innovative blog would keep us up to date. You have spoken a great deal about the PED/cheaters issue. Now with 15 months of OJT (on the job training), how are your plans developing? How are our relationships with the IAAF, IOC and USOC going? How are our broader based sponsorships and expanded television coverage going? How is that professional promotion going? How are we improving the domestic competition environment? And I'll add, what are we doing to improve the grass roots? Stealing a line: Perspiring minds want to know?
Posted by: Antonio Sarcasto, not his real name on 9/18/2009 11:26:22 AM PT
Two observations: 1.) Your remarks read as well today as they sounded then. 2.) There are more nuts out there than any of us could possibly imagine.
Posted by: John Bennett on 9/18/2009 11:31:56 AM PT
I have just read your statements to the Board, as a member of the Lake Erie Association, vice president and men's chair. I see a lot of disparity in programs and funding for everything from youth, and our direction to excellence. We have to be more pro active there even than with our so called elite athletes. More than eighty persent of all registration dollars comes from youth but it isn't shown in the "return". I know that we have a amandate from the USOC to boost our production of medals at the world level. If we look at other countries approuch to this, success has been as far down as five and six year olds. As you have observed from the sport you have just came from. So fairness of equality isn't just in origin of birth or colar, but as to development of, as you have put it, "dirt roots". Because the strong, durable, and beautiful prime things that come from the dirt are the Champions that we are mandated to develop. Remember,that AAU has captured this vision and is stealing oour youth from OUR programs. Lets do something positive to get them back. Yours in Athletics, EHW
Posted by: Ed Wilson on 9/18/2009 11:42:00 AM PT
Hi Doug, Keep up the good work. You are right on with your efforts on the drug front and promotion of the sport. However, I have one negative comment. In your blog you say that you abhor discrimination of any kind. Have you been watching TV coverage of race walks lately? The main networks continuously, and blatantly, ignore these events. It is like they do not exist. Yes, we hard core race walk fans can find the events covered on-line or on cable channels that most people do not receive or watch, but that is not the point. Most top athletes get into the sport by watching it on TV or by being exposed to it in high school or college. The "unintended discrimination" by NBC, the National Federation of High School Sports, and the NCAA is killing race walking in this country. With three gold medals at stake in the the London Olympics, I would hope that you would use your good office to help correct this clearly wrong, and clearly discriminatory situation.
Posted by: Jim Hanley on 9/18/2009 11:47:59 AM PT
Doug, I'm beginning to think that you are all FLUFF and no SUBSTANCE. A glib tongue will only get you so far. Action speaks louder than words.Example: same good ole boy system of selecting internatioal staffs and our 4x100m relays in the last two years at the Olympics and World Championships are 0 for 4!!!! Quit putting the same people in charge of the relays.
Posted by: tom on 9/18/2009 12:34:59 PM PT
You say you want an open forum but you sure did get defensive at the replies you received from your last blog. Don't feel too bad Doug, Craig found that his skin was much thinner than he realized when he took over from Olan too. You say you also have a day job? Isn't being the top exec of track and field in the USA enough to fill your day? For some reason I have been of the impression that there was plenty to do here. I didn't read your interview. In that you have the job I will assume those who interviewed you were pleased with what you said. Now comes the tough part. Are you causing USATF to do what is necessary to grow and be successful? If you are getting that done with what you said in your interview, keep it up. If any part is unsuccessful or if we are not growing, then you and the organization need to adjust your plans. The best plans of the biggest organizations are made in uncertainty, that is why there are such a large number of meetings to monitor and adjust. I didn't run until I was in my 30's but I have learned to love this sport. I've always felt it was a perfect sport for this country as it requires a lot of talent, hard work and support. Even with those in place, things can fall short and we have to fall back and see how we can do it better the next time.
Posted by: John Blakely on 9/18/2009 12:44:48 PM PT
Uuuhhhh, wait, I can't tell if the guy who equated lack of air time for race walkers with the "discrimination" that Mr. Logan was referring to in his article was being serious or was parodying those myopic posters who think their one special interest should be the center of everyone else's world. In case he was serious all I can say is...Race-walking..............really? so Doug Logan should use his influence to get a TV network to feature racewalking....that's gonna happen. Look, if a record company doesn't offer me a contract because no one wants to hear me sing that doesn't count as "discrimination". jeez.
Posted by: troy dietz on 9/18/2009 12:47:03 PM PT
I wonder if the individual who posted ref. Mr Logan's defensiveness could point to the exact sentence(s) he's referring to. BTW, that same poster sure give a lot of advice for someone who couldn't even understand that the "day job" referred to in the article IS running USA Track & Field (as opposed to blogging about it) that should have been obvious from the context but I guess it wasn't for everyone.
Posted by: troy dietz on 9/18/2009 1:22:23 PM PT
Day job? I am puzzled why the USATF would not look at a retired adminsitrator to fill this job. There are plenty of them out there with the credentials to focus on making the vision of the USATF a reality and not a dream. I sincerely hope that the fact that you have a "day job", does not become an excuse at a later time. Passion for the sport and credentials to lead and manage an organization are characteristics that you appear to have. Do you have the time to be effective and at what cost to your personal life?
Posted by: d janson on 9/18/2009 3:39:24 PM PT
I stand by my statement about discrimination against race walking. You go to a high school meet and there is no walking. You go to an NCAA meet and there's no walking. But if you go to a World Championships or Olympic Games there are walking races and other countries are winning all of the medals! Who is being myoptic here? One of Mr. Logan's expressed goals is to improve our medal count in Olympic events. Getting millions of potential Olympians to know that the sport exists would be a good start.
Posted by: Jim Hanley on 9/18/2009 5:08:37 PM PT
Ref. The race walking fans post. Dude, I'm with you! If I'm forced to miss one more scintillating second of race walking because the network is busy covering the fastest human in the history of recorded civilization destroy the 100 and 200m record I'm gonna have to kick Dwight Stones' butt...............If Doug Logan spends any time on your lame-o event it should be in getting it dropped from the olympics, that would solve the medal issue. As for the most recent post about Doug Logan's "day job". I could be wrong but I say again, his day job IS running USA Track & Field. When he wrote about having a day job he was referring to the fact that his Track & Field BLOG was not his day job. It's just a blog that he does in addition to his actual executive, administrative, political and other duties as CEO of USA Track & Field.
Posted by: troy dietz on 9/18/2009 5:55:20 PM PT
I've been reading these blogs and the thing that stands out very clearly is that we have a CEO who is competely unequipped to handle the job. He understands nothing about our sport. Being a recreational jogger is not a qualification. USATF would be well served to end this experiment, it hasn't worked, and I don't believe it ever will. To think that the World Athletics finals were taking place and the head of our organization chooses to wax on about his iPod playlist instead of the meet, and some great performances by US athletes, is astounding. I'm embarassed, as all of USATF should be.
Posted by: Don Bailey on 9/18/2009 8:51:26 PM PT
I meant to add, if you were so commited to making relations better with the IAAF, it seems you gave them a big slap in the face by not attending the World Finals. Instead, you went to a tennis tournament???? And broke down your musical preferences, as if anyone was interested?? You've sent a message alright, but it's one which has to do with your ego and priorities. Neither of which aid the USATF mission.
Posted by: Don Bailey on 9/18/2009 9:01:07 PM PT
Doug's email address is posted on the website. Everyone who has has an issue with him - and that seems to be the majority of posters here - should contact him directly. If he truly cares what the rank and file is thinking, he will respond to us. If not, well, draw your own conclusions.
Posted by: sid on 9/18/2009 10:06:49 PM PT
I do not doubt your background and your abilities as a CEO of USATF. Your Blog on Sept 16 on the USATF blog site needs to deal with what involves track and field and this organization. If you wish to discuss politics,other sports,your personal music list that is fine but that would be much more appropriate on your own personal blog and not USATF's site.
Posted by: Jon Mather on 9/19/2009 9:32:08 AM PT
Did you notice the USA 5K Championships is using the old USATF logo to publicize the event? http://www.cvsdowntown5k.com/usatf/usatf.php You have a branding problem if you can't manage to get a major championship event to use the appropriate logo. This happens alot is an example of how pathetic USATF is at managing anything resembling a professional sport.
Posted by: Jane Runner on 9/20/2009 12:20:51 PM PT
Mr. Logan, I think you've written about 25 blogs. All the time you've spent thinking, creating, organizing and writing these blogs; you could have used this time to help solve one of of the many issues we have. I'll give you one issue you can start thinking, creating, organizing and solving. The ISSUE "USATF OFFICIAL'S CERTIFICATION PROCESS" IT'S THE WORST PROCESS EXISTING WITHIN THE LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS" IT TAKES 6 TO 8 MONTHS TO GET CERTIFIED. The process STINKS! The system we have is so ARCHAIC! We need Officials and many have just given UP due to this archaic process! I challenge YOU and YOUR PRESIDENT (Ms. HIGHTOWER) TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE! Maybe, your next Blog will entertain us and discuss how you are going solve this issue??? Thanks
Posted by: Gilbert Castillo on 9/20/2009 3:43:47 PM PT
The previous comment deserv es serious consideration. We need officials and yet we make it so difficult to get them certified. Here we are almost a year into a new Olympiad and many of my collegues have submitted their tests and credentials for certifiaction and do not have their 2012 identification cards. I would assume that many events have indiviua who have been certified in the past, but are not currently certified. Our clinic was in December and in Septemberthey have not yet been "certified." This is not the way to secure "young blood" into our organization. Are we too big and complex organizationally to function as a "first-class" federation?
Posted by: Bo on 9/24/2009 4:51:04 PM PT
I'd like to see USATF's marketing focus of the past decade move away from "the best track team in the world" and towards a focus on major U.S. meets and athlete performances. The marketing focus of the NBA is not "the best basketball team in the world", nor does the NFL focus on "the best football team in the world". A focus on our sport's major competitions is the product we should be selling.
Posted by: Marshall Burt on 9/26/2009 4:57:46 AM PT
It would have been great to have had the 2016 Olympics in Chicago. But having said that can you imagine all of the underhand politics,ie corruption and graf that would have taken place! illinois and Chicago are off the chart in respect to corruption.
Posted by: tom on 10/3/2009 9:36:46 PM PT
Contrary to popular belief, both the Summer & Winter Olympics are a global event, with over 200 countries involved, the quotes of American IOC members and athletes tell me only one thing. They are ignoring the Olympic Creed before they even get to the playing field. America has been granted 4 Olympics in the 22 year span, from 1980 to 2002, unheard of in IOC history,there were numerous problems with logistics, security, politics, bribes & corruption at each one of these games. Americans have also had 3 Olympics within travelling distance in Canada in those time frames. Doug Logan, CEO of USA Track&Field, quoted," Today the IOC paid a lot of dollars to say no to the U.S." The Olympic Committee dd not reject United States, they simply rejected the condescending,pompous attitude of yourself and other lobbyists. Please,please,please do us all a favor and read the Olympic Creed and understand it, until you do, the USA finishing last will be commonplace. I have been to many Olympics, (Summer & winter), the best run were in foriegn countries with less corporate sponsorships buying up hotels, modes of transportation and restaurants. Your quote has been posted worldwide by international media, sending USA selection hopes back 20 years. Painful,very painful.
Posted by: Barry Norton on 10/5/2009 11:42:51 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.