"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
If cash prizes are offered, we must have drug testing. I think any sponsors that put up the cash will insist that the winners are clean (or at least test clean).
I generally do not like the idea of raising the stakes like this.
I agree with the comments about USMS marketing. The logo is boring. I would put a cool decal on my car but the existing logo is not.
I agree the clinics presents some logistic challenges. But I have to believe that in key cities - USMS could convince local nationally renowned coaches or athletic achievement experts to speak to a USMS audience. Some here know Eddie Reese. Wouldn't he agree to something like this?
One thing about Masters - is that we are adults, and in general can pay for things. This isn't like USS - where we must more forcefully provide opportunities for children with few resources. I would pay money to hear Eddie Reese or Dave Marsh or Richard Quick.
If cash prizes are offered, we must have drug testing. I think any sponsors that put up the cash will insist that the winners are clean (or at least test clean).
I generally do not like the idea of raising the stakes like this.
I agree with the comments about USMS marketing. The logo is boring. I would put a cool decal on my car but the existing logo is not.
I agree the clinics presents some logistic challenges. But I have to believe that in key cities - USMS could convince local nationally renowned coaches or athletic achievement experts to speak to a USMS audience. Some here know Eddie Reese. Wouldn't he agree to something like this?
One thing about Masters - is that we are adults, and in general can pay for things. This isn't like USS - where we must more forcefully provide opportunities for children with few resources. I would pay money to hear Eddie Reese or Dave Marsh or Richard Quick.
