Off the Record
with Jill M. Geer
Friday, January 26, 2007
This weekend, the ninth edition of what is now called the Visa Championship Series will get off to a roaring start with the Reebok Boston Indoor Games. Thousands of people will cram themselves, their food and drink, and their Ethiopian flags into the Reggie Lewis Center to see some of the world's finest athletes ply their trade. Scores of media, agents and USATF staff will join in the festivities.
In early 2000, shortly before I was officially hired as Director of Communications, I attended my first USATF event from the "inside." It was the first meet of the Golden Spike Tour, held at George Mason's indoor track in Fairfax, Va. Thinking back to that meet reminded me how far this series has come since its inception in 1999.
Back in 2000, the series was in toddlerhood but definitely on the way to becoming the monster it is today. The meet was televised, making it a success in itself, although now most track fans happily take national broadcasts for granted. Media were in attendance, although we all made do with a section of a side-room that was set up with a copier. The important thing is that the fans and the athletes loved it, even though sundials were used to time athletes and results were recorded on stone tablets.
My main contribution to that meet was when I saw Gail Devers shortly before the start of the women's 60-meter dash looking a bit harried. I approached her and discovered that, alone at the starting line, Gail was unable to pin on her race number. It seems that her elegantly manicured, epically long fingernails made manipulation of the safety pins as difficult as fitting John Godina into Deena Kastor's racing uniform. I was happy to help out a two-time Olympic gold medalist in her time of need.
As I pinned on her number, I recalled what had previously been my single greatest contribution to the sport of track and field, and it also involved Gail. At the 1996 Olympic Games, I worked for NBC, sitting trackside with Cris Collinsworth and assisting in post-race interviews. After Gail won the 100 in a photo finish, she celebrated by jumping into the arms of her coach, Bobby Kersee, who almost certainly holds the world record for the number of times a person has outwitted Olympic security and made it onto the track after a race.
Moments after her celebration, Gail stood before me, ready for her NBC close-up. As she flashed her supercharged smile to the fans congratulating her, I was put in an awkward social situation. I immediately saw that a small bit of Gail's lipstick had smeared onto her teeth. Everybody knows what it is like to be talking to somebody who has something on their face or some other easily remedied imperfection. The quandary is this: Do you tell the person and possibly embarrass both them and you, or do you let the person continue to embarrass themselves indefinitely?
My path was chosen. I had to tell her. I mean, it's not like she was hanging around with family. She was about to go live with a viewing audience of 1 billion people. So I, the lowliest person on the NBC totem pole, called "GAIL!" in my best stage whisper. She looked at me, and I discreetly put my knuckle to my teeth and rubbed. She immediately got the hint, and made me feel good for living by saying, "THANK YOU! Only a woman would have told me that." That moment justified my entire, monthlong employment by the Peacock and possibly my existence, period.
But I digress. My point – in case you were wondering if I would ever get to it – is that it is at track meets where you really get a chance to know the human side of USA Track & Field athletes. Gail Devers happens to be one of the most dynamic, energetic and positive human beings you'll ever care to meet, and I always look forward to seeing her at meets and speaking to her on the phone.
As fans, you can get to know athletes by attending Visa Championship Series meets. OK, you might not get to pin their bib numbers on or even correct their makeup faux pas, but you can be part of the action as they interact with the crowd. You will probably even see them in the lobby of the venue. USA Track & Field athletes are nothing if not approachable.
This column will also provide an attempt to give you an inside look at the Visa Championship Series and our athletes. In a previous professional incarnation, I was a sports columnist, but for the last seven years I have attempted to master the art of the dry press release. Please stick with me as I try to uncover a semblance of a writing style and "voice" ... and not to write anything that will get me fired. In the meantime, enjoy the Visa Championship Series.
DON'T FORGET TO TUNE INTO THE BROADCAST OF THE REEBOK BOSTON INDOOR GAMES ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 28, FROM 3-5 P.M. ON ESPN2.
Jill M. Geer is Director of Communications for USA Track & Field.
