"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
Back to the marketing aspect....
I personally think even calling it "Masters Swimming" scares people off. Not to mention the logo, which is a bit dated to say the least.
I am a marketing guy, nothing entices me to Masters Swimming other than the fact that I am a swimmer. I think we should look at the USAT model. They have attracted a TON of new participants that I would be willing to bet haven't swam, biked or ran competitively. I believe they did it on the "sense of accomplishment" model. (I think this could also be true for the marathon running craze that has grown by leaps and bounds the last decade)
We sit here in USMS with the same logo, message, etc.
To the person that said swimming is a shrinking sport. I think you are correct at an age group level. I can only say at the adult level it is growing immensly due to the non impact, full workout that swimming provides. We need to capitalize on that. Change our message and moderninze if we want to grow.
Trinkets, insurance, suits, etc. don't do it to attract the common lap swimmer.
How do we benefit? More people to train with, social activities, business networking, etc. The same way USAT, cycling and distance running has allowed many benefits as the membership has expanded.
Back to the marketing aspect....
I personally think even calling it "Masters Swimming" scares people off. Not to mention the logo, which is a bit dated to say the least.
I am a marketing guy, nothing entices me to Masters Swimming other than the fact that I am a swimmer. I think we should look at the USAT model. They have attracted a TON of new participants that I would be willing to bet haven't swam, biked or ran competitively. I believe they did it on the "sense of accomplishment" model. (I think this could also be true for the marathon running craze that has grown by leaps and bounds the last decade)
We sit here in USMS with the same logo, message, etc.
To the person that said swimming is a shrinking sport. I think you are correct at an age group level. I can only say at the adult level it is growing immensly due to the non impact, full workout that swimming provides. We need to capitalize on that. Change our message and moderninze if we want to grow.
Trinkets, insurance, suits, etc. don't do it to attract the common lap swimmer.
How do we benefit? More people to train with, social activities, business networking, etc. The same way USAT, cycling and distance running has allowed many benefits as the membership has expanded.
