Carroll at Lahti.
Some 300 people attended Saturday’s Athletes Banquet at North Carolina nationals, where 2013 awards were handed out. One went to longtime USATF and WMA official
Carroll DeWeese, described as “the treasure of masters track and field” by Awards Committee chair
Mary Trotto. Of course, Carroll is just happy to be anywhere, not just the recipient of the David Pain Distinguished Service Award. He’s in
remission from cancer. But in 2013, he saved thousands of athletes from unneeded suffering when, as a safety officer at Porto Alegre worlds, he halted the meet amid a terrible storm. He also serves as treasurer of the USATF Masters Track & Field Committee and helps with record submissions. He applies his sharp mind to more than budgets and rules, however. Check out this video for his eloquent understanding of the value of our niche sport.
6 Responses
Here’s great local overage of the meet, BTW:
https://www.google.com/#q=site%3Ajournalnow.com+%22masters+track%22+Wake+Forest&tbm=nws
I’ll add photos and video when time allows.
Good batch of photos from nationals:
dynamicphotovideo.smugmug.com/Sports/USA-Track-and-Field-Outdoor/43013489_ffkpcJ/3396562564_9qGBQdM#!i=3396562564&k=9qGBQdM
Well deserved.
Thank you from all of us.
I respect Carroll as an athlete who inspires others. At Michigan State he competed in the steeplechase. He was very busy that day as congenial host for the Outdoor National Masters Championship.
I was officiating at the water pit. Carroll cleared the barrier, fell backwards to the point where he disappeared in the water. We wondered if he needed assistance. Suddenly he emerged like the creature from the black lagoon, got up and finished the race.
I do not remember what place he finished. That seems unimportant a couple of decades later. I am still inspired today by Carroll the athlete. Having known David Pain, I know that Carroll has the same gritty determination as David.
Aloha, Jack Karbens
I remember some technical discussion about whether you had to be the biggest contributor to masters T&F in 2013 to get the David Pain Award for that year. No matter, Carroll has been an all-star performer for decades when it comes to furthering the masters program in the U.S.
It never hurts to recognize the best people, and that is the case with this award for Carroll.
A wonderful tribute by Mary Trotto, for this deserving winner, and a wonderful speech that should be shared more widely, to explain what Masters Athletics is all about, and why it should be celebrated. Thanks to those like Carroll that help us do what we love.
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