Is there really a division between masters swimmers? i.e. one camp allied to a more low key fitness oriented approach with low membership growth vs. a meet oriented competitive (elite) camp?
This sounds ridiculous to me. I don't think I've ever run into anyone that acknowledged this debate on a pool deck.
What spawns this rift in Masters swimming? Is this an old guard vs. younger member phenonmenon?
Are there different motivations that exist that create this conflict in terms of the future of USMS? Why can't both coexist?
I say we poll some people out there and find out what they support.
John Smith
Mr Goodsmith:
Did you attend the 1987 Short Course Nationals at Stanford? Or the 1988 Long Course Nationals in Buffalo? I know you were swimming back then and in those days those type of meets finished at 11:00 PM. I do not recall in the last 5 years or so of any USMS National meet being done excessively late. If the meet ends at 3 or 4 now, that is a lot better than what happened over 15 years ago.
Also your second paragraph should read "Why wouldn't Toyota contact USMS to be a sponsor similar to the arrangement they have with USA Swimming. Believe me USMS would jump at the chance to have a non swimming sponsor like that and maybe we have contacted Toyota about an opportunity to be a sponsor for USMS. I believe its Toyota that would be deciding weather it would be worth it to them to be a sponsor for our organization. Potentially we are both swimming organizations, but USA Swimming does have a much larger membership base and maybe that is the reason they would not sponsor us.
Mr Goodsmith:
Did you attend the 1987 Short Course Nationals at Stanford? Or the 1988 Long Course Nationals in Buffalo? I know you were swimming back then and in those days those type of meets finished at 11:00 PM. I do not recall in the last 5 years or so of any USMS National meet being done excessively late. If the meet ends at 3 or 4 now, that is a lot better than what happened over 15 years ago.
Also your second paragraph should read "Why wouldn't Toyota contact USMS to be a sponsor similar to the arrangement they have with USA Swimming. Believe me USMS would jump at the chance to have a non swimming sponsor like that and maybe we have contacted Toyota about an opportunity to be a sponsor for USMS. I believe its Toyota that would be deciding weather it would be worth it to them to be a sponsor for our organization. Potentially we are both swimming organizations, but USA Swimming does have a much larger membership base and maybe that is the reason they would not sponsor us.
