"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.
I am not sure where you got the impression that our committee leaders want to avoid growth to protect their own lane space. The leaders I have had the privilidge to work with do not examplify that attitude at all. In fact, they conducted a series of workshops at this years convention on ways to get more swimmers in the pool.
Mark....I need to to retract my statement on the committee's...it was an all encompassing statement and not accurate. I do however still contend that there are a number of members of USMS on all levels that do feel this way about growth....I've heard it first hand many times.
SCY, the definition "Of great importance or service would be the definition implied here" still needs to have context. Showing Dara may entice former world class swimmers to make a comeback in their late 30's/early 40's....it may also chase away the core membership (fitness oriented) because they would feel even more intimidated.
I don't have the answers...just lots of questions....and I admit it pisses me off a bit that SW steps in and tries to tell us what our "face" should look like...then again if no one else is willing/able to do it than why not?
It doesn't have to be an "either/or" campaign. Many organizations have the superstar as well as the everyman approach to advertising. You try to cover all the bases, or as many as you can.
Now this is a very interesting statement (for me). I'm not sure as to whether I agree or disagree. What would be a "team?" Massages a couple of times a week and a personal trainer? An acupuncturist, pilates instructor and nutritionist?
My main point about the team was her nanny. I have a 2.5 year old and due to being home with him, my training does suffer at times. If I could have a nanny like Dara, then I could be training more. But I can't afford one as a 1 income household living in DC area so I don't get the benefit she does.
As for others on her team, I have no problem with. My sister is what I'd call an elite triathlete and she has a team of people to keep her going strong and without injury. I have no problem with that.
Alison
I agree with the multiple face approach.
I see Dara as an example of the ultimate, or what is possible, if you do everything you can to succeed. Only a tiny percentage of Masters swimmers are even remotely like her. The message to attach to Dara might be something like "age and family aren't barriers to world class performance." Kind of an in your face statement too to our younger world class athletes who can't beat her.
The majority of us are 40-ish and participate for fitness and some competition, at least a few times a year. A message for us could emphasize fitness, satisfaction, comraderie, and show how swimming can fit in to a complicated family life. Isn't this the core group we want to attract and retain into their 50s?
Another category is the lifelong/senior swimmer. Highlight a 60-80 yr. old who has been swimming for 40 years. Show how quality of life in these years is even better when you're swimming.
All of this assumes first and foremost that USMS wants to grow....pools are closing, some facilities are not supportive of masters swim programs (Y's, Rec centers), lanes are harder to come by, etc.
If USMS increases its membership base what des it actually gain? What do we as members get out of it?
Heck...I get more out of the coupons in the ValuPaks that come in the mail every week!
Why is it that when I renew my membership I don't get a whole host of discount coupons from our key sponsors?
Who is the "official airline" of USMS where I can get discounted rates on travel to meets? How about car rental, hotel, restaurant?
Why are Speedo, Nike & TYR sponsors? If there is value to a sponsor its in being exclusive....offer them all (and Arena) a chance to bid on becoming the exclusive swimwear sponsor of USMS and as part of that send out a 10% discount coupon for a new suit to all the members....
Why do we have Kast-a-way, Swimoutlet and Kiefer as sponsors? The three largest on line and catalog retailers of swimming gear? Have one...and charge a premium for it...and again have them provide an incentive to shop from them so the recoup their investment.
Even if I'm a Speedo guy (ha, ha) for a break in price I'd buy a TYR (or swim for them!) Heck Finis gives out a 25% discount coupon to USMS All Stars...I applaud them and supported them by using it to buy a new snorkel and pair of fins which I really didn't need now...
Here's a concept...lets have fewer members. Raise the annual membership to $200 a year and get us things like access to discounted health insurance, a membership to 24 Hour fitness and a free training suit from our swimwear sponsor.
Lets have smaller meets. Raise the entry for nationals to $150 and have cash prizes for records that are set...add in a raffle for $500 as well so the so called "elite" who would have a shot at the record had a shot at cash as well.
Last but not least....why is USMS licensing their logo to others to sell the merchandise they could and should be selling themselves at every meet? First...dress up the logo and images associated with our "brand" then create an on line store and start selling...outsource the products to be sold a regional meets as well with a percentage of the profits going to the host team, give away a new hoodie every year with registration.....on and on and on.
The big question is, why do so many people leave USMS? Do you Forumites have any theories?
Half immediately cancel their memberships after reading this forum.
Seriously, do you keep stats on how many non-renew that swim with a team versus swim unaffiliated? I know that can be a bit misleading because some swim UNAT even when they swim with a team. I'd be interested in seeing if team affiliation has higher retention rates.
I love the idea of a discount on Kiefer or Kast-a-way. I spend a lot of money with them.
The big question is, why do so many people leave USMS? Do you Forumites have any theories?
Anna Lea
I think a big part is a shift away from formal masters program. I am a member of a team across the country. I practice with a local kids team but also a masters "team" as back-up. The masters team is run by a coach who gets in the water after wrting down the workout. At most there might be 12 swimmers, only 4 compete. For the rest, they see no benefit in joining USMS. Out of the 4 that compete, I would guess 2 are USMS members ONLY so they can compete. I asked the coach one day why more weren't USMS members and he said they didn't have to join since the facility covers everyone insurance wise.
Alison
