New York USATF to out-of-state indoor meet athletes: Drop dead
The 2015 USATF New York Open & Masters Indoor Championships are March 8 at the Armory in Manhattan. But according to posted meet info, if you’re an entrant from another association, fuhgeddabout making the finals. Here’s the actual quirky wording: “Guest from USATF Associations other than New York may compete in this year’s championships. Please note guest athletes are not eligible for awards nor will they advance to finals.” Also: “Only registered USATF New York athletes and teams are eligible for prize money.” We saw similar exclusions at the Eurovets meet. But this is America, the land of the free, right?” Thankfully, most masters events go straight to finals. But why stick a thumb in the eye of non-Noo Yawkahs? Their entry fees ain’t as good?
Just in case you have any doubts, the exclusion is highlighted in boldface.
15 Responses
That is perfectly reasonable for each Association to his a championship for ITS members. This is the norm. You are free to compete and get a mark for your event, which, in essence, is what Master’s Track is all about.
If you need to compete in finals or want to earn awards, there are regional championships in addition to your own Association’s Championship meet.
I was at the Adirondack outdoor championships which is in NY 2 years ago and ran 3 races and was informed when I went to pick up my medals, that medals are only given out to association members. Haven’t gone back again. They will take our money for sure.
Definitely will not be traveling to the New York indoor championships either.
Well, it’s their meet. Probably done because the Armory attracts a lot of people from outside the NY Assoc. A bit small minded , though. I get the medals part, but not advancing ? In the end, it’s all about good competition, no ?
What are they afraid of?
At our Association meet this past Sunday in Providence, RI, we offered age graded based prize money for male/female performances. Both were won by out of association athletes. Both will receive cash awards.
Mike Travers
USATF New England Masters Chair
I feel the bigger more burning question is why the Armory continues to bump the Thursday Nite @ The Races schedule? Last Thursdays scheduled #2 meet of the 4 race series was rescheduled for this Thursday…..HOWEVER yesterdays New Jersey Varsity Classic meet was cancelled and resscheduled for this Thursday,not only bumping an already rescheduled TNATR meet but one that now shows no sign of being rescheduled….oh and for good measure the final TNATR #4 meet originally scheduled for March 5th has now been rescheduled for March 10th….which is a Tuesday!!!!
Mike, is that something new? Looking at last year’s entrance form it said only NE association members would receive prizes. Not that a nominal prize motivates my life but certainly its an incentive for me to return home for a few days in June.
IIRC based on the 2 meets I ran in, the USATF-NJ awards duplicate medals to out-of-state competitors–many of whom, ironically, are New Yorkers. Thus, if a race ends with a NJ runner 1st, a NY runner 2d, and NJ runners 3d and 4th, the NY runner will get a silver, as will the NJ runner who finished 3d overall, and the NJ runner who was 4th overall will get a bronze. Seems fairer to me.
I agree that if medals are to be awarded it shouldnt matter to which assoc one belongs. However I don’t understand the attraction of medals, which are often given out in competitions that may have included only 3 people! Only thing that matters is the official F.A.T. or field measurement.
as far as i’m concerned , the more important thing is to be able to compete in a world class facility, hopefully against the bestin the area, and get a mark, or a F.A.T. result which to me far outweigh the medals. last year i competed there and my friend dr. ivan black gave me one of HIS medals, for a keepsake… 🙂
It’s always nice to be recognized for the effort, even if you only had 1 or 2 opponents in your own age group. After all, you can’t control who else shows up. Personally, I give my medals to my 11 year old son–part of my not so subtle campaign to keep him interested in the sport.
David Woods..yes it was new this year. This meet was the NE championships. In previous years it also served as the East Regional. Regional returns in 2016.
Yes, it’s up to each association to run its championships according to its inclinations. However, out of association athletes can choose where they go. The same goes for regional meets.
In the East Region we give duplicate medals to out-of-region competitors who do not displace East Region athletes – just like for foreign athletes at the nationals.
For me the real question for the NY Association is why, having had the date of the East Region (and Potomac Valley Association) Championships on March 7 for a long time they had the chutzpah to have their meet the same weekend.
For all of you in the Adirondack, Long Island, New Jersey, and Mid Atlantic associations (not to mention any others) looking for a great meet in a world class facility, come to Landover MD (site of the 2009 and 2013 Indoor Masters Nationals) for the East Region and PVA Championships on Saturday, March 7. Here’s a link to the website:
http://www.usatf.org/Events—Calendar/2015/East-Region-Masters-Indoor-Championships.aspx
I will post a quick add for the Southern California Association Championships and the West Region Championships. We don’t see giving a medal to anyone who finishes top three a problem the entry fee far outweighs the cost of the medal, it’s a good business decision and creates better completion for all. I would like to invite anyone in Masters anywhere in the nation to please come to our California meets we love visitors and the weather is second to none !
USATF seems rather disjointed and arrogant. After joining for one year, that’s enough.
Leave a Reply