"Dara Torres should be the face of United States Masters Swimming"
Brent Rutemiller, October issue Swimming World Magazine
"Of Course, Torres isn't on this trip alone. Aside from the support of Hoffman, her daughter and her coaches, Torres relies on a team. She has a nanny who tends to Tessa, a strength coach, and physical and massage therapists who work her like a piece of dough."
John Lohn, October Swimming World Magazine
With all due respect to Mr. Rutemillier & Mr. Lohn I would suggest that they spend a little more time around the people who not only compete in the meets of our sport but with the people who are the backbone as volunteers in the day to day running of it....Dara's only contribution has been making a few workouts early in her comeback, attending a couple of meets and signing autographs and collecting checks for clinics.
If you want a "face" of Masters Swimming look to Susan Von der Lippe who beat Dara as the first person over 40 to qualify for Trials....and she did it training with a masters team 3x a week...working par time, no nanny, no trainers....no PR person....that to me this is the core of what we are in my opinion.
How about Rob Copeland who somehow manages to run this entire organization, swim extremely well, post on our forum....all without a massage therapist and pilates instructor....again this is what Masters represents...to me.
Dara has done something remarkable for anyone her age... give her credit..but lets see if at some point she wants to time at one of our meets...or be on one of our committee's to help promote masters...without an appearance fee.
Parents
Former Member
So perhaps some FA should be the face of USMS.
I see what you are saying Stud, and it has some merit. However, the allure of our elite athletes is quite strong, even to the mature adult. Many friends of mine are into club baseball and softball while following very closely the trials and tribulations of their favorite pro player(s). They know that hitting a homer like ARod is a pipe dream, but they are out there playing the game just like so and so is.
I agree with that too, so a multi pronged approach would be better. Going after one segment of the population isn't going to reel in everyone. I would submit, that the bulk of folks who actually know who Dara is and/or give a hoot about her are already swimming.
No, putting up someone who is overweight and swimming won't work. Showing someone who dropped a bundle of weight by enrolling in a USMS based swim program, and not starving themselves is better--with no disrespect to our heavier swimmers.
Revising this point; there is no reason why an active but overweight person cannot be used, to show that you don't have to be a stick to swim, and that the water is a great way to train.
No one approach will be right. USMS don't need to spend money on a poll to find out wo we are...we're everyone. The elites have their place as do the "I just do it to finish" swimmers. I didn't compete because of any swimmer, I did it because I stumbled onto this forum for info on how hard I was or wasn't working. Seeing the varied community, and getting their feedback and support got me into swimming races.
Some literature at YMCA's etc would be a good idea; highlighting the knowledge base here for workouts, overcoming obstacles and just fitting the water in around general day to day life. Certainly there could be a join USMS today and get a signed photo of Dara sort of thing too; that or coupons for advil! ;)
Also at the risk of sounding patronising, I think the 4 African-American ladies who were featured in the USMS magazine would be a great promotional asset too. Appealing to women, and also helping smash stupid stereotype myths about swimmers and their ethnicity.
So perhaps some FA should be the face of USMS.
I see what you are saying Stud, and it has some merit. However, the allure of our elite athletes is quite strong, even to the mature adult. Many friends of mine are into club baseball and softball while following very closely the trials and tribulations of their favorite pro player(s). They know that hitting a homer like ARod is a pipe dream, but they are out there playing the game just like so and so is.
I agree with that too, so a multi pronged approach would be better. Going after one segment of the population isn't going to reel in everyone. I would submit, that the bulk of folks who actually know who Dara is and/or give a hoot about her are already swimming.
No, putting up someone who is overweight and swimming won't work. Showing someone who dropped a bundle of weight by enrolling in a USMS based swim program, and not starving themselves is better--with no disrespect to our heavier swimmers.
Revising this point; there is no reason why an active but overweight person cannot be used, to show that you don't have to be a stick to swim, and that the water is a great way to train.
No one approach will be right. USMS don't need to spend money on a poll to find out wo we are...we're everyone. The elites have their place as do the "I just do it to finish" swimmers. I didn't compete because of any swimmer, I did it because I stumbled onto this forum for info on how hard I was or wasn't working. Seeing the varied community, and getting their feedback and support got me into swimming races.
Some literature at YMCA's etc would be a good idea; highlighting the knowledge base here for workouts, overcoming obstacles and just fitting the water in around general day to day life. Certainly there could be a join USMS today and get a signed photo of Dara sort of thing too; that or coupons for advil! ;)
Also at the risk of sounding patronising, I think the 4 African-American ladies who were featured in the USMS magazine would be a great promotional asset too. Appealing to women, and also helping smash stupid stereotype myths about swimmers and their ethnicity.
