Masters urged to guarantee Pete Taylor’s presence in 2008
M45 runner Steve Nearman is a fine writer. But his main gig is financial planning. And what he really wants to see is meet announcer Peter Taylor financially assured for the 40th anniversary of the U.S. masters nationals a year from now in Spokane, Wash. Steve writes: “While it is too early to know what Spokane meet organizers will do — re: announcer extraordinaire Peter Taylor — there is no doubt that he is a tremendous asset to our sport and our meet. I am hoping that Spokane will invite Peter and offer him expenses and some compensation for his time.”
Steve continues:
Should this not be the case, he certainly should be invited by the athletes, and I am hoping all of us athletes are prepared to underwrite his trip. During Indoor and Outdoor Nationals, I usually throw in the extra $10 to $20 toward “Friends of Track” or whatever it is called to add a few more dollars toward the National Championship meet. I know other athletes also do this.
So why don’t we all throw in $10 to $20 to a fund to get Peter Taylor to Spokane. I figure at the most $2,000 for airfare, hotel, food allowance including a nice breakfast, economy rental car, and a tent if needed for him.
At $20 per person, we need just 100 people to step forward, less than 10 percent of the competitors, or at $10 per person, 200 people. That’s where I would put my extra contribution to the National meet, in a place where I feel it is well deserved, so we get a great announcer who is tremendously appreciated throughout the sport of masters track and field.
This plan DOES NOT absolve Spokane meet management from allocating $2,000 or whatever it is to such an important person as your meet announcer. But as a fallback plan, I am hoping my fellow competitors will be there so Peter Taylor is behind the mike in Spokane.
Great idea, Steve! I wholeheartedly endorse this initiative. If you want to contribute to a Pete Taylor Announcer Fund, contact Steve for details.
14 Responses
Pete’s got my support.I’m contacting Steve right now.
Nolan Shaheed
He’s got my vote !!
Sal
I cannot imagine a national meet without Pete….count me in.
I would like to see Pete compensated for his efforts and all related expenses in Boston and Spokane.
Count me in.
Can they add a dollar to everyone’s entry as a surcharge? If the meet attracts 1,200-1,500 participants, it should be enough to cover his expenses. Without a doubt Pete makes the meet much more interesting to the spectators and the athletes alike.
Hell, I match the first 10 folks you actually put up their money!
Thanks Steve, count me in.
Peter wants to give us 100% from the first event to the last. He needs help to achieve this and remain in good health throughout. As you say, funds for flights, car hire, a comfortable room, and easy access to nutritious food would make a world of difference. If there is any cash left over, I suggest we look into whether an ice vest would help Peter. High temperatures are a serious problem for him.
I don?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t know how much back up has been available to Peter in the past, but it would be wonderful if he could be given an assistant at the meet to support his needs and allow him to announce without having to worry about anything else. It would be good to know that his back is ?¢‚Ǩ?ìofficially?¢‚Ǩ¬ù being watched.
I’m in!! I think Julie’s ideas are excellent, too.
even if i were unable to make the meet , i will gladly kick in $20 so that pete could continue to do what he does best, bring people together…albert
Great Idea , count me in also
Orono, ME was my first serious track meet in several decades, and I knew immediately that the announcer was something special who added to the entire atmosphere in an immensely positive way. No way to know at this point if I will be going to Spokane, but I think this is a terrific idea, and I’d be honored to contribute $20 to this effort.
Tell me where to send the check. Done deal here.
Count me in! Pete Taylor is definitely the best!
Pete is Masters Nationals. I am on Board
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