Phil Raschker of Georgia, whom I started calling “the legend” about five years ago, has become the first masters athlete to become a finalist for the James E. Sullivan Memorial Award — which recognizes the top amateur athlete in America. This is big.

Phil — 57 years old — beat out world champions Allen Johnson, Tom Pappas and Kelli White for the track slot in the list of finalists — possibly an indication that Sullivan voters wanted to avoid (or punish) elite U.S. track and field for a season of doping revelations.
The official announcement:
ORLANDO, Fl. (January 5, 2004) – The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) today announced the names of the top finalists for the 74th Annual AAU James E. Sullivan Memorial Award, which recognizes the top amateur athlete in the nation. The first round finalists are: John Fonseca (Karate); Paul Hamm (Gymnastics); Lebron James (Basketball); Barbara Lindquist (Triathlon); Steven Lopez (Taekwondo); Chellsie Memmel (Gymnastics); Apolo Anton Ohno (Speedskating); Michael Phelps (Swimming); Philippa “Phil” Raschker (Master Circuit – Track and Field); Diana Taurasi (Basketball); Rickie Weeks (Baseball); and Jason White (Football).
“This is one of our most diverse and talented group of nominees ever,” said AAU President Bobby Dodd. “Ten different sports are represented among the finalists and I’m very proud to be able to say that each athlete is an exceptional role model to not only their respective sport but our countries youth as well.”
The AAU Sullivan Award recognizes athletes who have achieved athletic excellence, exhibit leadership, character, sportsmanship and the ideals of amateurism. It has been presented annually by the AAU since 1930 as a salute to founder and past president of the AAU, and a pioneer in amateur sports, James E. Sullivan.
A 10-member AAU Sullivan Committee selected the 12 finalists after reviewing each of the athletes qualifications from over 30 who were nominated. Ballots to select the top five and the 2003 winner were mailed today to an 800-member voting body consisting of AAU Board of Directors, United States Olympic Committee (USOC) Board of Directors, Select Media, and New York Athletic Club Select Members. The top five finalists and the National recipient will be formally recognized and announced April 13th, 2004 at the New York Athletic Club in New York City.
Considered the “Oscar” of sports awards, the AAU James E. Sullivan Award has been presented to prominent athletes of our time including last year’s recipient Sarah Hughes. Others include: Bobby Jones (1930), Peyton Manning (1997), William “Bill” Bradley (1965), Dan Jansen (1994), Janet Evans (1989), Jim Abbott (1987), Jackie Joyner-Kersee (1986), Greg Louganis (1984), and the late Florence Griffith-Joyner (1988).
Phil is as good a publicist as a multi-event star. She summarizes her recent achievements thusly:
“Philippa (Phil) Raschker was nominated for the award by the National Senior Games Association for her athletic performances, shattering world records, in 2003. Additionally she is recognized for her outstanding contributions for promoting women’s athletics.
“During the 2003 season, Raschker won numerous National Senior Games and National Masters Track and Field titles. She set age-group world records in the high jump, indoor heptathlon, pentathlon, and 60 meter hurdles. Competing at the World Masters Association Track and Field Championships this last season in Carolina, Puerto Rico, she brought home 5 gold medals in the heptathlon, 80 meter hurdles, high jump, pole vault, and triple jump.
“Raschker becomes the first track and field athlete over 40 years old to be nominated for the award. That in itself was a great honor. Now to top it off, she has advanced to the First Round of Finalists.
“Over a span of 23 years of competition, she has won more championship gold on the international and national level than any other masters track and field athlete. She has been voted by her peers at the USATF Convention as the Outstanding (Masters) Female Athlete of the Year thirteen times.
“Raschker credits the National Senior Games Association and other dedicated individuals such as Philip Mulkey, Liz Johnson, Dr. Patricia M. Peterson, Dr. Tomlinson G. Rauscher and Robert S. Weiner who remain committed to promoting women’s involvement in sports and athletics.”
Me again:
Ironically, Raschker was beaten out for USATF Masters Female Athlete of the Year this past season by 75-year-old Leonore McDaniels, who had a great world-record breaking season herself.
Phil, a member of the Masters Track Hall of Fame, has been so incredible for so long that masters have tended to take her achievements for granted — and yet she continues to break new ground for masters, with the Sullivan award finalist news the latest milestone.
Even if Phil benefited from Sullivan award voters shunning drug-tainted elite track, this is a major breakthrough for masters athletics.