Memo to Masback: Show masters the money
USATF has begun its annual national convention here in Portland, Oregon — and begun issuing self-congratulatory press releases with its “One Team, One Dream” message. Among other things, USATF trumpets: “Significant milestones were achieved in several areas, particularly in USATF resources. USATF has now paid off the $3 million debt that (Craig) Masback inherited when he became CEO in 1997, doing so “a full year early,” while the organization now has a $1 million surplus. Revenues have increased 120 percent since 1997, to $15.5 million.”
“Our strategy of developing new sources of revenue is working,” said Masback, “with our USATF Foundation generating over $1 million to date and our merchandize (sic) program growing from $6,000 in revenues in 1997 to an expected $500,000 in 2005.”
OK fine. Now let’s ask a simple question:
When will USATF Masters Track & Field begin seeing any of this windfall?
According to my sources, the 2005 allocation from USATF is the same as the past several years: about $32,000. A pittance. A shame, given our large proportion of USATF-dues-paying members. A travesty, given our hard-working athletes, meet organizers and officials.
The USATF Foundation remains a mystery to masters officials. How much money (if any) has been earmarked for the masters program?
BTW, the USATF Foundation flat out declares:
“The Foundation is committed to … Expanding existing masters events and programs and access to them.”
If revenues increase, shouldn’t every boat in the USATF ocean be raised? Or are strings attached to this money? If that’s the case, let’s not be coy with masters track and masters LDR. Just tell us we’re not being counted.
As I prowl the corridors and meeting halls of the USATF annual meeting at the Portland Hilton this week, I’ll be raising these and other issues of crucial interest to masters. Our niche is NOT booming. And despite the wonderful success of the USATF elite program, little or no money has trickled down to the age-graders on the far side of 40.
USATF’s nominal message is “A Sport for Life, for Everyone.”
My message to USATF: Prove it.
