Clovis in 09??

Paul, The point of this thread was originally a question about who was going to Clovis and what they were swimming. It has since morphed into whatever you, the readers, are interested in. I think you are referring to facility interest in hosting Nationals, not just member interest in attending. That has been a tough nut for some time, and we have to find a way to make it easier to bid. There are some requirements that have been deleted recently, such as having x number of pay phones. Not particularly necessary these days. The process continues and we will probably start sending out personal emissaries to pools that we think would be good places to host nationals. I work out at the Rose Bowl Pool in Pasadena and think it would be terrific for nationals (2-50m pools side by side, a therapy pool and a hot tub), but have not been successful in garnering any interest from the age group team or the pool administrators. There is a 180 member Masters club there that is 80% fitness swimmers, 15% triathletes, and a few competitors. They have not held a Masters meet of any sort in over 15 years. This is not an isolated event. Even though I am such a persuasive and charismatic communicator, even I struck out (game's not over yet). Project this same scenario over the country, and you get one bid for nationals...maybe. It is up to anyone within spitting distance of a pool that can support a national championship to pester the administrators and convince them that Masters is the answer to cash flow for 5 days. Mission Viejo also had an open water event in 2005. Michael, I find it interesting that your attitude (as a VP of USMS) is "come or don't come, I don't care". This is one of the issues I have with USMS...many of the old guard are just not all that int change or what I would call the "attack" mentality. USMS gets not respect (IMHO). Many young swimmers coming out of high school/college think were a bunch of fitness swimmers wearing caps with flowers on them....we have a huge image problem and no PR/Advertising from the central organization to change this. The fact that we have to sit back and wait for someone like Clovis to step up and host vs. pools lining up begging to be involved is further evidence that we need some serious change....and passing rules to limit the possible host locations is not helping. I'll be the first to offer my help...I will work my ass off to try and get at least 3 facilities in the country to step up and host nationals....and I ask everyone on this forum to try and do the same. In return, I ask you and the USMS higher up's to streamline the bid process and create a marketing package that shows how profitable hosting a USMS nationals can be to local clubs and the community. I want a package that all the soldiers here can walk into a pool complex and say "your stupid" if you don't do this. Deal?

Paul, The point of this thread was originally a question about who was going to Clovis and what they were swimming. It has since morphed into whatever you, the readers, are interested in. I think you are referring to facility interest in hosting Nationals, not just member interest in attending. That has been a tough nut for some time, and we have to find a way to make it easier to bid. There are some requirements that have been deleted recently, such as having x number of pay phones. Not particularly necessary these days. The process continues and we will probably start sending out personal emissaries to pools that we think would be good places to host nationals. I work out at the Rose Bowl Pool in Pasadena and think it would be terrific for nationals (2-50m pools side by side, a therapy pool and a hot tub), but have not been successful in garnering any interest from the age group team or the pool administrators. There is a 180 member Masters club there that is 80% fitness swimmers, 15% triathletes, and a few competitors. They have not held a Masters meet of any sort in over 15 years. This is not an isolated event. Even though I am such a persuasive and charismatic communicator, even I struck out (game's not over yet). Project this same scenario over the country, and you get one bid for nationals...maybe. It is up to anyone within spitting distance of a pool that can support a national championship to pester the administrators and convince them that Masters is the answer to cash flow for 5 days. Mission Viejo also had an open water event in 2005. Michael, I find it interesting that your attitude (as a VP of USMS) is "come or don't come, I don't care". This is one of the issues I have with USMS...many of the old guard are just not all that int change or what I would call the "attack" mentality. USMS gets not respect (IMHO). Many young swimmers coming out of high school/college think were a bunch of fitness swimmers wearing caps with flowers on them....we have a huge image problem and no PR/Advertising from the central organization to change this. The fact that we have to sit back and wait for someone like Clovis to step up and host vs. pools lining up begging to be involved is further evidence that we need some serious change....and passing rules to limit the possible host locations is not helping. I'll be the first to offer my help...I will work my ass off to try and get at least 3 facilities in the country to step up and host nationals....and I ask everyone on this forum to try and do the same. In return, I ask you and the USMS higher up's to streamline the bid process and create a marketing package that shows how profitable hosting a USMS nationals can be to local clubs and the community. I want a package that all the soldiers here can walk into a pool complex and say "your stupid" if you don't do this. Deal?