Bob Fine isn’t so fine with respect to his chair rivals
I like Bob Fine. I really do. But I’m having a hard time respecting him in the run-up to Thursday’s election to fill the two-year unexpired seat of Masters T&F Chair George Mathews. Bob is a candidate for that office. But not willingly, it seems. He just thinks the caliber of his rival candidates is so poor that he has no choice but to jump in and be the savior of the masters program. Gimme a friggin’ break! I give him this, however: He’s consistent in his public pooh-poohing of his competition. In his interview he says straight out: “I am running because two of the announced candidates have never been involved in the Masters T&F Executive Committee, WMA or the regions.”
But yesterday, in a posting on the USATF Associations mailing list, Bob let his naked disrespect all hang out:
“I’m off to the convention,” he wrote. “I’m seeking the Masters T&F Chair (there is no one else running who, in my opinion, has the experience). There are many issues facing the Masters. Anyhow, wish me luck.”
And in another note — to fellow lister Ed Parrot— Bob wrote:
“There is team competition for Masters Track & Field. You should know this as I have been nagging you as a club member to compete. In fact, I expect you to turn in a splended performance next year in Orono, Maine for the National Masters OUtdoor T&F Championships (Rah, rah!!) There is also team competition in race walking. I have proposed legislation to stop recruitting all over the country by one club in particular. Team competition is a great way to build up participation in Association clubs.”
So Bob’s agenda is clear — make masters track over in his image, and in the image of his own track club. Such a God complex chaps my hide.
How can Bob lead masters track after showing such haughty disdain for the very people he needs to help grow the sport and improve its management? Fellow candidates Mark Cleary, Gary Snyder and Joy Upshaw-Margerum aren’t chopped liver. They didn’t just fall off the turnip truck. They have a wealth of experience, talent and drive to make needed changes in American masters track and field.
My support of Joy’s candidacy is well-known. But I also think Gary Snyder has what it takes to lead American masters T&F. Mark Cleary has some baggage, but he’ll muddle through.
Bob Fine?
He’s an icon in the sport.He literally wrote the rule book for WAVA in the 1970s. But his day is past. And he certainly has the wrong attitude about leadership.
The next chair of USATF masters must rally a lot of talented people to the cause, motivate them to pitch in, recruit talent for committees and open up the good ‘ol boys and girls network to fresh blood. The next chair needs to attract the best and brightest of the boomer generation, and fuel the growth of our sport.
In my humble opinion, Joy Upshaw-Margerum is the best person for this job.
And Bob Fine is the worst.
Good luck to all in Indy.
4 Responses
Ken. I’ve enjoyed your blog for several years now and made a point to seek you out at recent Nationals to tell you so. I know this is YOUR blog, but you are beginning to flame out, Bro, and this may not help build the Masters movement as we all think it should be. You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.
I’ve said it recently in a previous comment regarding Bob Fine, but it’s worth saying again: USATF Associations should serve the athletes. Fine’s plan to prevent athletes from joining (and becoming affiliated) with clubs from outside their local association is a foolish attempt to make athletes serve the association. Not all associations are created equal – in terms of geography, clubs or capability. If a Master athlete finds a club from another association attractive, the associations should do all they can to enable the athlete to switch to that club. Fine would prevent the Master athlete from joining because, I assume, he feels that “recruiting” by clubs is unsportsmanlike. If by talking-up the benefits of my club to any athlete who will listen, regardless of what state they live in is recruiting, then I am guilty.
Every athlete now has the opportunity to join any club they choose and enjoy the benefits of camaraderie and competition. Bob fine would have you look to your association and if there’s no club for you, well I guess you can still run unattached.
Please support Gary Snyder. He’s clearly the best candidate for this most important position at a critical time for Master athletes.
I agree with Larry. If you limit the athletes to their local association, you aren’t really going to hurt most clubs but you will hurt the athletes. In my case there is no track club in my association. I chose to join a team from another association because I wanted to be part of a team. I benefit from their their motivation, their inspiration and their access to information. I’m sure I get more out of the club than they get from me since I’m not an elite level sprinter. You’ll never legistlate “fairness” anyway. Don’t hurt athletes in the attempt.
Congrats to Gary Snyder on his successful run for the Chair. I stand ready to support and work with him to further our sport.It will take more than a new Chair, it will take our membership getting involved. Oh and Ken I am doing better than muddling through. Thanks whole heartedly to those who supported me–and now we shall support Gary
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