What were your likes and dislikes about the nationals?

RE: What were your likes and dislikes about the nationals?

Former Member — Thu, 11 Dec 2003 17:31:26 GMT

Hi Karla, Thanks for the good feedback and ideas :) Hey, my coach and I met you over at the pierce college SCM meet. Great job! You beat me in each event we swam in (we're in the same age group). You go girl! Another year of training for me, and ... watch your heels ;) , well, I hope.

RE: What were your likes and dislikes about the nationals?

kerees — Wed, 10 Dec 2003 09:27:11 GMT

My two cents as pluses (+) and minuses (-): Been to: Santa Clara, Honolulu, Cleveland, Phoenix, and Piscataway.... Santa Clara: +crowd control, multiple ways to get where you're going to avoid the crowds, - parking (don't get there late), +heat sheets (up everywhere), ++close to home :) Cleveland: +20 minute delayed Camcorder recording, - help can't breathe indoors (from CA), + the dome (breathing option for those unaccustomed to humidity) ++social Honolulu: +detailed bus schedule, ++open water swim option Phoenix: +water for a dollar stations other than the snack bar, +lots of shade, +++ foot (rails for short people like me so I can stand), - a bit of a squeeze to walk thru in certain areas, ++check in system, Piscataway: +++P.A. system hooked up in locker room hallways, etc.. (for once I didn't have to worry what event they were on every time I got nervous), - construction=shuttle problems solution: car rental, we were warned, ++seating with backs(nice if you can't haul out your own high back chair from coast to coast), ++ check in system I had a very enjoyed myself at every nationals, plus every other meet I've travelled to and I realize nothing is perfect, but some problems can be avoided. Suggestions: I've only seen plentiful "You are Here Maps" at one place, can't remember where, its nice to have them in the program, but alot around the facility are nice for spectators and swimmers, the delayed taping was real cool too. The P.A. was awesome, no matter where I was I could hear the announcer, though it was freaky at first to hear a male voice next to me in the locker room. One more liability issue you may want to cover....seems no matter what meet I travel to, I seem to almost slip and fall, clumsy me I know, but imagine all the floors soaked with water, unable to dry, due to sheer volume....getting some extra non-slip pads might not be a bad idea

RE: What were your likes and dislikes about the nationals?

Former Member — Tue, 09 Dec 2003 06:04:37 GMT

Originally posted by shipleywm I miss a smaller USMS. What about smaller local meets? Do you not get the community feel out of smaller meets? How would one take an event that encompasses a national level (of anything really, not just swimming) and keep it small and cozy?

RE: What were your likes and dislikes about the nationals?

Former Member — Mon, 08 Dec 2003 12:41:57 GMT

Agreed, smaller isn't necessarily better...or well received. Take a look at how well Dr. Bell's "other" masters endeavor is going and as what swimmers think of his idea for individual world records BY individual age (ie., men's 26 year old, men's 43 year old, women's 31 year old, women's 67 year old, etc). Of 40,000 registered swimmer, how many realistically are expected to swim at a nationals, let alone a zone meet? The purpose of USMS (also shades of prior threads--can of worms here) was to encourage participation and friendship. What we do is the healthiest activity on earth and that is why we should continue to grow.

RE: What were your likes and dislikes about the nationals?

mattson — Mon, 08 Dec 2003 06:21:23 GMT

I can understand Dr Bell's concerns, but from similar discussions on past Nationals, I don't see a way to put the genie back in the bottle. (Most suggested changes to Nationals would disenfranchise one group or another.) When I watch NCAA basketball on TV, I think, "wouldn't it be better if they had fewer than 65 teams in the tournament". Then I think back to when I was in college, and there was a real risk of cancelled water polo championships, because there were not enough Division I teams. (Misuse of Title IX was starting to rear its ugly head.) Point: Sometimes smaller does not equal better. (Just like sometimes bigger does not equal better.)

RE: What were your likes and dislikes about the nationals?

Former Member — Mon, 08 Dec 2003 06:11:02 GMT

This comes from a letter that Dr. Keith Bell wrote to me last week: Yes, USMS can boast about 40,000 members. So what? In my opinion that has detracted from much of what was good about USMS. For example, there are very few persons that have competed in as many USMS Nationals as I have. Yet, I've stopped entering and may never swim in one again because they have gotten so large that it has taken much of the fun out of it (the days are too long) and has been detrimental to good competitive conditions. Also in my opinion, the huge bureaucracy that has gone along with the rise in numbers has had many other negative results. I miss a smaller USMS.

RE: What were your likes and dislikes about the nationals?

Former Member — Thu, 04 Dec 2003 17:36:35 GMT

Originally posted by swim53 I was at Rutgers most recently. ... Transportation? not reliable Swim 53, thank you for the reply :) Other than the obvious, was there something specific, that you know of, that made the trasportation not reliable? Was it not communicated well? Not enough coverage? Inconvenient timing? Just plain no-shows?

RE: What were your likes and dislikes about the nationals?

Former Member — Thu, 04 Dec 2003 17:30:50 GMT

Originally posted by MegSmath Please keep Arizona's check-in system! Meg, Thanks you for some good input :) Anyone happen to know what check-in system they used? (I'll do some research on my own in the meantime)

RE: What were your likes and dislikes about the nationals?

MegSmath — Thu, 04 Dec 2003 09:37:44 GMT

Yes, the Hall of Fame party was fabulous. It was like a religious experience for me, especially the John Lennon exhibit. And it was worth the price of admission to see Randy Nutt's reaction to some of Jimmy Page's clothing being on display! (And who would have thought that Jim Morrison lettered in swimming in high school?!) Obviously, every Nationals is not going to have an attraction like the Hall of Fame nearby. Otherwise, I would say what is most important to me is that the cost be reasonable, the food and drink plentiful, and the location nearby. Meg

RE: What were your likes and dislikes about the nationals?

Former Member — Thu, 04 Dec 2003 09:07:53 GMT

Originally posted by swim53 ditto to Jim Clemmons comment about the Rock Hall Social. Best I've ever been to at any Nationals Uh oh...!:eek: I feel like I need to resurrect Elvis to top that one! And NO, tere will NOT be Elvis impersonators at out social... NOT! Over my dead body NOT! I'm thinking, close to the pool there is a Lake, Lake Mission Viejo. I saw somewhere that in the summer they have a whole concert at the lake series, and they had some big names play there... I noticed Pat benatar did a show there as a part of the California summer concert series. I dunno, that is a part of a private community as far as I know, might be a tough and expenisve venue to get.. We'll come up with something fun, I'm sure. There's a lot of neat places around here.

RE: What were your likes and dislikes about the nationals?

swim53 — Thu, 04 Dec 2003 09:00:34 GMT

ditto to Jim Clemmons comment about the Rock Hall Social. Best I've ever been to at any Nationals

RE: What were your likes and dislikes about the nationals?

Former Member — Thu, 04 Dec 2003 07:09:12 GMT

Originally posted by matysekj Connie, USMS supplies the on line entry system and on line event check-in for all nationals hosts. .... Thank You Jim for the good info. I'm not sure what to say other than I'll pass it on to the people who are more involved at that end (like my coach...). I'm sure they will be much more familiar with the details. There are some very good logistics considerations that you brought up. I'm just a tiny little wheel in the whole thing (although, a squeaky one at the moment). Just a reminder... Don't take anything I say here as a done deal, it's just a brainstoming set of posts.

RE: What were your likes and dislikes about the nationals?

Former Member — Wed, 03 Dec 2003 11:38:52 GMT

Hi All :) Thanks for the responses. :) I'm sorry about the laundry list of questions... I'm not sure what to ask and whom. You're very welcome to just answer one or two, or give me a higlight of what you liked and didn't like :D I'll try to ask some more pointed questions, jsut as soon as I formulate a few. Well, here's one: Since you guys mentioned check-ins, and heat sheets. I'm just throwing this idea out without having thought about the logistics of it a whole lot, so please forgive me if it ends up being half -baked. Take it as food for thought. What if the meet signup was available on-line, payable via creditcard or pay-pal?, along with the the check-in for certain (all? I'm not sure how and of that would work) events available on-line. I know this is probably very expensive to set up, but maybe have touch screen or two available at the venue, so you can check in... I'm thinking, kind of the way the bridal registry's work? I noticed that out local cable TV company had set-up a 'free internet' booth with a touch screen at couple of local carwashes so people can cruise internet while waiting for their car... I'm thinking, maybe their cables, I mean arms, could be twisted into a sponsorship. Or set up a wireless hub/router, so people who brought their own laptop can link in and check in, see the heat sheets etc... Hey, they do it with wireless internet cafe's all the time! How important are social events to you? Our team likes to put on social events before and after the meet, to give people a chance to socialize a bit, get to know each others, have a beer together, when tere's not an immediate pressure of, what heat am I in, and when is it.... Was there a social event that you really liked?

RE: What were your likes and dislikes about the nationals?

swim53 — Wed, 03 Dec 2003 09:52:39 GMT

I was at Rutgers most recently. (Was is it comfortable, accessible, convenient, friendly, did they matter, a lot, a little...?) Surrounding areas to the facility? construction was a problem Transportation? not reliable Accommodation? great, just too far from the pool- my own fault Hospitality? great Facility Amenities? great Pools? great Event information? great Social events? didn't sound too exciting so I didn't go Check-in? great, as long as we could check in via internet during our travel day there

RE: What were your likes and dislikes about the nationals?

MegSmath — Wed, 03 Dec 2003 09:07:53 GMT

Connie, I'll agree with Jim that your list of questions is a bit daunting! Maybe you should just try asking one question at a time ... I've been to quite a few nationals in the last decade. Most recent was Tempe last spring. The thing I liked the most about it was the check-in system they used, which allowed heat sheets to be available for each day's events. In fact, "like" is not enough praise. I LOVED it. I hope I never have to go to another nationals where check-in closes a few hours before the event, and then you have to stand around waiting for the heat sheets to be posted, craning your neck around the hundreds of other swimmers who also want to see the heat sheets. And then you forget your heat-lane assignment before you've gotten back to your seat and have to start the whole procedure over again! Please keep Arizona's check-in system! Meg

RE: What were your likes and dislikes about the nationals?

Jim Clemmons — Wed, 03 Dec 2003 08:12:56 GMT

Yep, Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland, LC Nats - '02.

RE: What were your likes and dislikes about the nationals?

Former Member — Tue, 02 Dec 2003 08:48:55 GMT

Okay, 90 views, and no posts? I just know it, you guys are wanting to see me beg, aren't you? ;) Seriously, doesn't anyone have comments?

RE: What were your likes and dislikes about the nationals?

Jim Clemmons — Tue, 02 Dec 2003 08:11:20 GMT

Connie, Your questions "list" requires quite a bit of information. No one wants to have you beg, but if you go through the previous threads regarding similar subject matter, we think you'll find most of the answers you're looking for. Then you can "shorten" the list a little, perhaps, maybe.:)