The award for the most ridiculous, self-absorbed, overzealous all sports entertainment network in the world goes to...
ESPN, for the 10th year running.
They have once again proven that outside the 4 major sports, Tiger Woods, and the Williams sisters, you're really not much of an athlete. Unless you count token consideration of Cael Sanderson and -ahem- Sarah Hughes (don't even get me started on figure skating).
No offense to college athlete of the year Sue Bird (UConn BB) but a certain swimmer from Cal who set at least 6 AR and 1 WR over the short course season would have had my vote.
Anyone else? Natalie Coughlin, female college athlete of the year as awarded by the USMS discussion crew?
-RM
Parents
Former Member
Paul -
I agree that survival of the sport at the younger levels is the true goal/target. However, robustness of the sport at other levels helps the target group.
I agree that getting all the parties to work together is the solution, but realistically, have they ever been able to work together on something of this magnitude? Herding cats might be easier.
Increasing master's participation is something that we could try and could potentially:
a) Provide $ to the target groups through donations to colleges, local programs and the like. The upper age groups actually have the most money/influence/connections.
b) Provide a larger base of kids who get funneled into swimming through their parents who are kept in the sport as participants and don't just "drift away" after college. The wider the base, the taller the peak.
c) Provides a larger base of volunteers to work at meets for the target groups.
An object lesson here would be racewalking, the event I came from. About 18 years ago, there was a shift towards focusing on the "elite" and making the sport less egalitarian. Since that time there has been a marked decline in older participation and, with it, a decline in volunteerism, real races (as opposed to local unjudged walks, power walks, and that sort of crap), participation in the nationals, coaching, and $ into the event. Consequently, although we have a very few good athletes, we have no depth whatsoever behind them. Things look BAD.
Yes, if you have a limited pool of development money, as do we, spend it carefully. Within the mandate of USMS as it currently stands, that means promoting masters and "cheerleading" the other groups to do their part.
- Leonard (Last in the 100 free, but first in your heart)
Paul -
I agree that survival of the sport at the younger levels is the true goal/target. However, robustness of the sport at other levels helps the target group.
I agree that getting all the parties to work together is the solution, but realistically, have they ever been able to work together on something of this magnitude? Herding cats might be easier.
Increasing master's participation is something that we could try and could potentially:
a) Provide $ to the target groups through donations to colleges, local programs and the like. The upper age groups actually have the most money/influence/connections.
b) Provide a larger base of kids who get funneled into swimming through their parents who are kept in the sport as participants and don't just "drift away" after college. The wider the base, the taller the peak.
c) Provides a larger base of volunteers to work at meets for the target groups.
An object lesson here would be racewalking, the event I came from. About 18 years ago, there was a shift towards focusing on the "elite" and making the sport less egalitarian. Since that time there has been a marked decline in older participation and, with it, a decline in volunteerism, real races (as opposed to local unjudged walks, power walks, and that sort of crap), participation in the nationals, coaching, and $ into the event. Consequently, although we have a very few good athletes, we have no depth whatsoever behind them. Things look BAD.
Yes, if you have a limited pool of development money, as do we, spend it carefully. Within the mandate of USMS as it currently stands, that means promoting masters and "cheerleading" the other groups to do their part.
- Leonard (Last in the 100 free, but first in your heart)
