Hoosier hospitality, Bloomington nationals get raves from sprinter
M65 sprinter Rick Parker writes regarding Bloomington nationals: “I think something ought to be said about how WELL this meet was run – especially in light of all the distraction about financial disclosures, lawsuits, TRO’s, etc.” Good point. In light of recent meltdowns at Landover and Albuquerque indoor masters nationals, with records being lost amid timing problems, it’s great to hear the weekend meet lacked that drama. Rick continues: “Latashia Key and Robert Thomas did a fantastic job! This was my sixth USATF Masters national meet and it was run as well or better than any of those I’ve attended.”
Rick continues:
Administration of the meet – there were friendly, efficient, competent officials literally crawling all over the spacious IU track facility. Volunteers at every doorway with smiles and encouragement and friendly instructions about where to go to check-in, declare, get hip numbers, etc. The meet ran almost completely ON SCHEDULE. When things got even the slightest out of whack, a calm and composed Meet Director Robert Thomas walked up and straightened things out. NO melodrama, just “work it out and get on with it.” This was a well-planned, completely thought out presentation – the way it always ought to be!
Venue – the indoor track facility was perfect, having this meet in Bloomington, Indiana worked perfectly. Central location, low-cost hotels and restaurants, vast free parking for those with cars, and well timed shuttles for those without. Relatively cheap airfare to Indy, at least compared to trips to the coast. Good management of use of the facility during competition, especially in light of the large number participating.
Surprises – Robert and Latashia planned some “surprises” for the athletes – the most obvious being our names on individually printed the competitor numbers. Super-sized and impressive medals, available minutes, literally MINUTES after then end of each event. What I especially noticed was each principal hotel had a special welcome sign for masters athletes and the shuttle schedule – the locals knew all about this event and were eager to make it work! I love Boston and they do a great job, but we are a side show there. In Bloomington we were a much bigger deal, covered in the local media, appreciated!
Results – posted within minutes, and as you and others keeping tabs on line surely noticed – posted ON LINE within minutes of the finish of the race. NO major snafu’s in results and timing that I’m aware of.
OK, I’ll have to confess I’m from Indiana, but I had nothing to do with how this was planned and done. I’m just proud that Hoosier hospitality and can-do spirit carried over from the Super Bowl to a super indoor national track meet. I’m sure there will be those with some bone or another to pick – there always are, we Masters are a notoriously difficult lot to please. But this was a terrific meet and we really need to thanks the HUNDREDS of officials and volunteers who made it work so well, and especially Robert and Latashia for their planning, insights, and perseverance. Let’s put aside differences and recognize and job well done. What happened in Bloomington this weekend will enhance our sport. There were lots of people there for the first time, and they had a great experience.
33 Responses
Everyone I talked with agreed that this was a well-run meet, and Peter did a fantastic job announcing. In particular, the FAT worked perfectly, and I’ve never been to a meet where results were posted so quickly.
I agree, very well-run and efficient. The medals absolutely rocked and the “National Champion” patches were a nice surprise to me (not sure if those were given in the past). My only complaint was that some of us high jumpers did not get a chance to compete in the main field area inside the track. We were punted to the “auxiliary” area at the end of the building. Still had fun but I was really looking forward to experiencing the full effect of the venue. I kept thinking “this doesn’t look like the brochure!”. All in all, though, my wife and I had a very nice time at the event.
This was my first track championship, so I can’t speak to past events (other than hearsay). But I agree that the meet was very well organized. I do, however, want emphasize how especially impressed I was with Peter’s announcing. Not only does he thoroughly understand track and field; it also became clear to me how passionate he is about masters competition. We are lucky to have someone so dedicated at these meets. (And, on a more personal note, thanks for approaching me after my race to ask how to pronounce my name.)
An excellent meet, thank you to Robert and all the others who made it happen.
I agree with all of the comments, this was a very well run meet in a nice facility. I hope some wealthy alum donates some big $$$ so they can resurface a well used track surface.
As far as I could tell things ran just about on time – and the lap counting – too often a mess – was great – I did not have to wonder what lap I was on at all. What a lovely change from some past meets. The only drama came from some excellent performances.
My thanks to all the officials who put in countless hours so we could compete. And the meet directors – first class job Robert and Latashia, thanks so much. They have set a very high standard for next spring’s meet.
The meet was well run, the officials did a great job. The facility was great. A couple of things that would have helped enhance the meet would have been some water available in the staging area, and locker rooms for the athletes. A lot of us checked out of our hotels Sunday morning and a quick shower and changing area would have been nice. Other then that I thought the whole meet was outstanding.
I agree with all of the above comments. I wasn’t sure what to expect, as I hadn’t been to Indiana in decades, but I had a great time—loved the hotel, stores, restaurants, and hospitality of everyone. I didn’t love the track,as it wasn’t particularly fast, but everything else was top-notch, from the officials to the timing to the timely posting of results. Great job to all the volunteers/staff/announcer/directors. Bravo.
I totally agree with the sentiment expressed in the above comments. This was my first “National Championship” meet and all I can say is “Bravo”. I must admit that I am now a little nervous that I will be forever disappointed with future events. I just hope the future hosts took great notes.
A well run meet? You bet! My hat’s off to to those responosible to every aspect of the event. Thank you all for a job well done.
To Robert, Latashia, all the officials and volunteers–you are applauded for the outstanding effort and grace in planning and executing this meet. Thank you. You have set the new standard. It can be done.
Even the ribbons the medals hang on are extra cool! Very classy! Thanks Robert and Latisha and everyone else who made this a memorable indoor meet. Pete Taylor kept it exciting and the officials were especially terrific. The only thing I missed this year was Nolan playing the trumpet. Maybe in Finland, Nolan??
being an I.U. Track Alum thats the way the meets at I.U. have always been run! I was very proud to compete on my home track again infront of my College Coach Sam Bell. job well done Hoosiers!
This was the best run masters championship meet that I have been to so far. Robert and his staff did a very very good job and the awards are what championship meets should all have. I Vote you Mr. Robert Thomas to be the meet manager for all Masters Championship Meets
Hats off to Robert and Latashia, they did a GREAT job. The meet management, the attention to detail, the location were all well thought out. Thanks for a great meet experience. I agree with Lovell you guys should manage the rest of the meets from now on.
I agree with all the positive comments above. The organization was first class and very professional. Thank you to everyone involved in organizing this meet.
I would go there again in a heartbeat. What an excellent meet, venue, crew, and campus. Everything worked, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Thank you Indiana..an absolutely fabulous experience for all of us. What a welcoming, friendly, well organized operation. GOOD ON YA MATES
Tim Graf! Sorry I missed you, I was in B’ton Saturday afternoon. Congrats to Robert, Latashia and all of the Indiana folks on the great reviews. Go Hoosiers!
I only attended because Robert told me it would be a first-class event and he delivered on that promise. Having the training staff, a chiropractor, and a number of massage therapists there allowed me to compete with a bad back, so I can’t thank him enough for having them available. I have never liked indoor meets (due to the tight turns), but I would go to another one run like that one any day.
I totally agree. A big job, very well done!
Thanks to all that made it so pleasurable.
Congratulations to Robert on a wonderfully organized meet. Peter, as usual, was exciting and brilliant. The officials were very efficient and the volunteers were extremely helpful. Even the timing system was perfect.
Thanks also for the beautiful medals on the rich lanyards.
Bloomington proved to be a wonderful place for the championships. Everything was close and there was a very large selection of restaurants. We had a great time.
Bert & Kathy Bergen
I agree with all the above comments. Great job Robert and Latishia.
as a born and bred hoosier, i was excited and proud to compete in the 2012 masters’ indoor nationals. hoosiers have long known that indiana and bloomington are track crazy, and it was great fun to see so many people from around the country experience this. i have been competing in indiana masters indoor and outdoor meets as well as cross country since 2006. it was no surprise to me that Latashia and Robert put on a great meet, as they have been doing it for years. congrats!!!
Just want to add my thanks for a well run meet. We always hear so many complaints, so I want to make sure to applaud a job well done.
On behalf of all the ladies from Athena Track Club I would like to thank everyone involved in organizing the 2012 USA Masters Indoor Track & Field Championships for all their time and effort in putting on an excellent meet this past weekend. All the officials and volunteers were very friendly and efficient. We loved some of the special touches that have been mentioned, such as the medals and numbers with our names on. Congratulations Robert & Latashia! Heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the friend of everyone in Masters’ track, Peter Taylor for his wonderful, informative and tireless announcing during the three days of competition. Bloomington and the University of Indiana were great locations- nice hotels, fun restaurants and a beautiful campus, and how about that weather- a delight to warm up outside. Haven’t seen it mentioned anywhere, but we did work hard on Saturday to set a new WR of 10:38.97 in the W50 4x800M. Congratulations to my teammates Kathy Haubrich, Cheryl Bellaire and Lorraine Jasper and thank you to W40 Lisa Ryan for pulling me round.:)As always at masters meets, we had a wonderful time catching up with old friends and making new ones, like first timer M30 Quinton Wilks and his lovely wife Alissa. See you next time and Good Luck to everyone going to Worlds!
Couple of comments: Yes, Julie (#25 above) the WRs in the relays kinda got overlooke by the news coverage. Your Athenia Track Club’s impressive
10:38.95 M50 4X800 relay WR certainly should have been mentioned. Your stellar team slashed nearly a minute off the old record. Also short shrifted was the M85 new WR in the 4X200 relay which was set by John Means, 91, Orville Rogers, 94, Charles Ross, 89, and me, 92. Our time of 3:36.28 bettered an 8-year old previous record.
BTW, on another matter, I would like to know how to delete my previous comment (above #9). Didn’t think I was THAT looped at the time.
Thank you and congratulations Ralph (#26)on all your achievements. I was remiss to mention you as a new friend and fellow airport shuttle bus rider. I’m so glad that you were able to put a 4×200 relay team together, even if you did have to drop down to the 85-89 age group to complete the team. I loved watching your M90 60M race. 🙂 You are an inspiration!
A very well run meet with good location. Nice touches with the Name and defending champions on the front number and the age on the back number. Did not feel like a nascar car with multiple little numbers on our backs. Medals were good especially the ribbons.
A couple of comments – 1. it would have been nice to have a better tentative schedule prior to final schedule. It would have been nice to have a rough time when the races were to be held not just the day. In the case of the racewalks it would have been nice to know there were early afternoon since in the past many times there were late afternoon.
2. There was some delays (1 1/2 hours) in posting results of the last heat of racewalks but it is my understanding they were dealing with some lap issues. 3. Agreed it would be nice for the track to be resurfaced.
Overall a great effort by all officials and volunteers.
I monitored the meet from far away as I was not fortunate to attend. The results were posted timely. Great job Rob, Latashia and the rest of the crew.
I will parrot everyone else’s positive comments that Robert & Latashia are to be commended. This was a well-run meet that as previously stated should be the standard for future National Championship Meets. Although my sprint performance was lacking (you can’t sleep-walk the 1st lap of an indoor 400m especially from Lane 1!) I will not let my short-comings cloud my perception of the meet. Hats off to Pete Taylor and his stellar announcing and his encouragement to me on the infamous aforementioned 400m race. The ribbons for places 4, 5 and 6 were nice rather than “participation” ribbons.
Without Peter Taylor at the meet, much of the excitement and information on competitors would not exist. Without Peter it is like being at dance with no music.
He is as committed and informed about the participants as anyone on the planet…he loves Masters Track and it shows.
Watch closely next time he announces…he has papers in his hands, but they are usually only used to verify who is in the race…all his announcements and comments come from his awesome memory.
Peter is as close to being a National Treasure for Masters Track as we will ever have.
I vote to put him in the USA Track and Field Masters Hall of Fame. Thanks Peter for all your efforts for all of us, for all those years.
Yes, Roger, Peter has been a priceless asset for Masters Track. No one can come even close to matching his encyclopedic knowledge of the competitors, or the dramatic excitement he brings to every race he calls. And it is his affection for Masters Track that motivates him to continue to do this remarkable service — certainly it’s not the meager compensation he receives (which sometimes does not even cover his expenses!).
And yes, you are right about honoring him with induction into the Masters Hall of Fame. Let’s get something moving in that direction.
I need to correct myself! I thought I.U. hosted the meet and they did not. USATF Indiana and Mr. Robert Thomas did an incredible job. This meet was run better than some of the Big -10’s I competed in while at I.U. Looking forward to future events at I.U. Thanks guy’s great job!
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