Originally posted by TheGoodSmith
Just Do it.
Double the entry fee for Nationals. I'm for it.
Ah, if only it were that easy. The entry fees for Nationals are actually part of USMS code -- article 104.5.4D(1-5). In order to charge more for Nationals you'd have to submit an amendment, and of course this is not a Rules year, but a Legislation year, so you'd have to have it declared an emergency and then get 90% of the delegates to approve it! Change does not come quickly to USMS.
Actually Peter, you're right. I was being a little too facetious but some venues do have more potential than others.
I could only spend so much time in some places after Nationals concludes, but weeks after in others.
Hawaii has been best for me post-meet wise so far.
We were going to cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale this year but stuff came up so we'll do it next since it's basically in the same area.
Landlocked areas just don't have much attraction (for myself).
The right timing and all and Seattle would be nice to hop on a boat afterwards for an inland passage trip.
Yourself?
Originally posted by newmastersswimmer
so like Connie said, adding more pools (i.e. locations) and workout times (and coaches for that matter to handle the larger sized teams) should be able to help manage team overcrowding sufficiently enough
If only it were so easy, though. For example here in the Puget Sound region we've recently faced closures of city or county run pools. It certainly isn't due to lack of swimmers. We have Olympic gold medalists, many large and successful USA Swimming clubs, a Pac Ten University with both men's and women's swimming teams, etc. yet it's still difficult to keep the pools open we already have--let alone think about building new facilities.
Originally posted by Conniekat8
About pool overcrowding... well, as a result of USMS aexpanding and swimming getting more popular, on the long run it should result in more pools being built, more places to swim available, more qualified coaches, masters programs getting more respect and pool time from pool oerators.
The expansion doesn't mean just more members stuffed in the same ole overcrowded pool, and more members taxing the same tired coach.
.
Unfortunately here it does, pools are closing or being replaced with water parks and lazy rivers and slides. In Illinois, the rate of competition pool closures have hit many age group teams very hard, and since kids seem to get priority over adults, that means adults are also getting hit hard. You won't see new pools being built downstate, that's for sure.
Raise the fee for Nationals,O.K. but when World Masters Games was in Portland the entry fee was $200 and attendance was way down compared to other WMGs. Raise dues,bad idea!! We are trying to build membership and fitness swimmers are already wondering if USMS is worth it.
Back to the issue of recruiting(sort of) I have to brag.Our 200 SCY Medley Relay(55+) was ranked #1 for 2005. You may say "so what,it was an Oregon relay and you had the whole state to pick from." This was different.This relay was swum at the association meet where we swim as local clubs. We have 4 men registered with our club(yes we're really small) so our entire male contingent was the relay.
Connie, going after the pool operators is a great idea and one that we can all benefit from......geek see "big ideas"!
Its very sad that in our sport we basially roll over when pool closures occure or practice times get cut. Try and do that with a soccer field and you'd have every mom for 100 miles screaming and throwing things and end up getting two more fields built and nightime lighting installed!
Alan,
If your memebership cost $100 a year and you got 20% off purchases from Speedo, or a rental car discount, or 15% off at GNC would it be worth it? This is how we need to structure our sponsor relationships......with a clear benefit extended to our membership.
Same goes for nationals (as well as all swim meets). I went to a meet in Salt Lake City where theorganizers had done an incredible job of gathering sponsors. Every swimmer got a goddie bag with snacks, water bottles, t-shirt, coupons, etc. etc. (as well as the volunteers)........something that can and should be done at all meets......
I think $80-$100 for a national meet is very reasonable, but can see that some folks will need to see a corresponding benefit to it in some way such as above.
By the way "W" passed the largest education spending bill in history.....fire some of the bloated administration and pay the teachers the difference!
Forgive me for being less than enthralled by tropical climes in light of recent events. Most fun I've had at your Nats have been in less than traditional 'sun spots'. And don't forget the great pacific northwest as both good vacation & big meet locations.
John, John, John.....I have never refered to you as you describe, that's how you introduce yourself to new people at parties!!!
By the way have youmet Ms. Kitty........5' nothin and more energy than can imagine.
PS: Registered Independent for 20 years....even voted for Perot (once).
