George Mathews resigns as Masters T&F chairman
Fed up with conflicts and kvetching, USATF Masters T&F Chairman George Mathews has resigned, effective in December, he told me tonight here in Charlotte. With two years left on his second four-year term, George will step down and let the Masters T&F Executive Committee (or a nominating committee) suggest his successor. Masters Vice Chair Suzy Hess, busy as publisher of National Masters News, has opted against taking over as chairman. The larger body of masters T&F delegates will pick the new chair at the December annual meeting, scheduled for Indianapolis.
A big reason behind George's resignation is a dispute over budget authority with Joy McDonald, the Masters T&F Committee treasurer.
According to George, Joy overstepped her authority by allocating unspent money in the USATF Masters T&F Committee account to various subcommittees to the tune of $4,000 or more. Without consulting him, George says, Joy asked the subcommittees if they needed any more money than the amounts approved in the 2006 budget. As an example, he cited $700 that she supposedly sent to the Media Subcommittee, chaired by Bob Weiner.
George even used the expression "misappropriation of funds" in describing Joy's actions. He sas USATF COO Jim Elias will investigate her activity and recommend appropriate action.
Joy's actions apparently were the straw that broke the camel's back. George has chafed over criticism of his chairmanship -- which he says goes with the territory. He recalled how previous masters chairs Barbara Kousky and Ken Weinbel left office with bitter feelings about their treatment.
At least one name has popped up as a potential successor to George -- Max Hamlyn of North Carolina, an M65 middle-distance runner who barely lost to Suzy Hess in the vice chairmanship election at the 2004 annual meeting in Portland, Oregon.
Comments
It is a thankless task and I do not know why any sane person would volunteer to take it on. Frustration by members at the lousy way USATF treats masters athletes is dumped on to the chair regardless of where of who is responsible.
I did not always agree with George but I thank him for his efforts and wish him well.
Posted by: mary harada | August 7, 2006 10:39 AM
I'll do it! How much does it pay?
Posted by: Jay Wind | August 7, 2006 8:24 PM
I for one hope he does not resign. As a relative newcomer to national meets, I had 5 days to observe and work with George. My opinion is that with the tough circumstances and conditions, this meet would have collapsed on Saturday if George was not there to keep things going. Even though there was a fairly strong games committee of which George was part, there is always one individual that rises to the test in these situations, and this was truly a tough one. Finally, I have to say that in the midst of chaos at the awards table on the final afternoon, George still found the time to thank me for my efforts, this shows class, and these are the things I remember.
Eric
Posted by: Eric Braschwitz | August 9, 2006 11:33 AM
Nice comment, Eric. Being head of this group is a thankless job, and most people would not be up to the task. George was, and I hope he will stay on. We should, as a group, try to make that happen.
Posted by: Courtland Gray | August 9, 2006 4:56 PM
I worked with George for 4 years during my tenure as Masters Track & Field Committee Secretary. Although we clashed at times over administrative approach and while I often chafed at his volitile personality, I truly believe that Masters Track & Field flourished under his administration and , will be hard pressed to find someone to fill his shoes.
George's intimate knowledge of all aspects of Masters Committee operations, his ability to implement a vision, his stature with the USATF hierarchy in Indianapolis and his ability to navigate the political morass that is WMA are all assets that are rarely found in one person.
I, for one, will miss his leadership.
Bob Cahners
Posted by: Bob Cahners | August 10, 2006 9:58 AM
In the organizations I've been associated with the treasurer does not have the authority to disburse funds without the CEO's permission and knowledge of where the money's going, which seems to have ocurred here.
However, I'm not that familiar with the By-Laws of Masters Track in regards to the treasurer's duties and authority.
But it seems to me George has a right to be irate!
Posted by: Mickey Miller | August 10, 2006 5:04 PM