Joy Upshaw honored with Pan Am Games gig, not London 2012
Many people have been congratulating Joy Upshaw on her selection as a national coach. But not the kind of coach a USATF news release suggested. Contrary to context, Joy isn’t an assistant with the London 2012 team. But she is thrilled to be a multi-events maven for another major team. She writes: “Yes, I have been selected to be on the staff for the Pan American Team. It is a great honor. The Pan Am is one of the ‘Big 3’ (other two being World Championships and Olympics).” The Games are Oct. 23-29 in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Joy, next to Peter Grimes, and other masters friends at her 50th birthday party.
Joy (who has dropped the Margerum, given her new circumstances) continues:
Many of the coaches who are staff on Pan Ams are Olympic coaches in the future. Last summer I was on the staff of the NACAC Under-23 team. And in 2006 I was on the DecaNation staff. So, yes, this is quite an honor to be selected.
Getting chosen to Pan Am staff is no surprise. But here’s the shocker: Joy is 50.
Yes, I realize this is incomprehensible. But she’ll be going head-to-head with another I-can’t-believe-she’s-50 star in Liz Palmer.
Joy concludes: “Looking forward to seeing everyone in New Mexico for our Indoor Nationals next weekend! I hope everyone is doing terrific and you ALL will have PR’s!”
21 Responses
Joy,
Nice to see you get the opportunity to coach. Someone finally realized that maturity and actual knowledge of events is a plus. Go get’em kid!!
Congrats to my roomie!!! They are lucky to have you on the Pan Am staff. Good luck Nationals!
Congrats Joy!
Congrats Joy, for all you do. Thank You
Congratulations Joy!! Good for You! Good luck with everything!
Tim McCrossen
OMG!! They couldn’t have made a better choice, or a more positive and encouraging force.
This picture is from Joy’s surprise 50th Birthday Bash in Lafayette, CA. It should be known that it was a DISCO PARTY. Hence my funky attire. Come to think of it…I’m the only one that looks funky. LOL…maybe it’s just me:-)
Congratulations, Joy! You will be a perfect fit for the team.
50! Thirty-nine tops!
I sure wish I could find the book in which Joy is mentioned (I mean Champions for Life, the story of Payton Jordan). The authors were John B. Scott and James S. Ward; as I recall, one of the authors mentioned trying to impress a schoolmate named Joy Upshaw.
Maybe I will look again (Payton autographed it for me); I would really like to get the exact wording. Anyway, I can completely understand the desire of someone on a boys’ high school track team (whether it was Scott or Ward) to impress Joy Upshaw.
Daggone it, I knew I should have found the book. It was a TEAMMATE of one of the authors, someone named Robert M…, who wanted to impress Joy. Stil, the basic truth holds.
And a lot of people still want to impress Joy.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS [ JOY ] GOD BLESS
Joy,
Happy Birthday and congrats on the national team selection. Fifty really isn’t so bad. 40 and 30 were much worse, for sure. Anyway, you and your classy pictured posse above can laugh at other 50’s.
Joy,
Congratulations and happy belated birthday…you’re the best!
Congrats Joy and Happy Birthday as well. Your Master friends in Phoenix!!! 🙂 Jim
Joy
So happy for this accomplishment and honor. I know how hard you’ve work, in all avenues of our sport (Youth, High Schools, Open, Masters, etc.), and it’s on fitting you receive this appointment. Congrats!
Oh — Happy B-Day to you!
Richard Holmes
Way to go Joy!
Joy,
Good things happen to Good People!
Sully
Where’s the “like” button!!! Joy, You’re awesome!
Big congratulations Joy, i know team USA will blossom under your guidance and knowledge!
Peter looks cheerfully surprised. Where is your hand?
Leave a Reply