USATF Masters Hall of Fame 2015: Q&A with George Mathews

I confess I’ve been a pain in George Mathews’ butt in the past, especially when he was national chairman of the USATF Masters T&F Committee before our current czar Gary Snyder. But I’ve always admired his dedication to putting on top-flight events and competing at a world-class level. He’s a hammer specialist. So I was delighted to see him gain Hall of Fame recognition. He responded to my queries and shared a photo from Lyon worlds, where he was M70 bronze winner in the weight throw.

George twirls at Lyon, where he won a bronze medal in weight throw.

George twirls at Lyon, where he won a bronze medal in weight throw.

My quickie Q&A with George:

Masterstrack.com: When and how did you learn of your induction into Class of 2015?

George Mathews: Jerry Bookin-Weiner, my nominator, emailed me … that he heard I was selected and Mary Trotto confirmed it to me Friday, December 4.

What was your reaction to the honor, and what does it mean to you?

I was elated on hearing the news. I thought that after my breakdown and resignation as national chair and being virtually being ostracized that it wouldn’t happen in my lifetime. The new rules I guess helped. It really is a very significant recognition for all of my work.

What aspects of your career helped you gain this honor?

I think my achievements as an athlete hopefully were most important. I lost track what those achievements were when I found that all my medals weren’t being documented after Norm Green retired. All of his past tracking seemed to have been lost as well. I had no knowledge of this until I was asked to help Larry Rheams in the nomination of Phil Brusca.

I found that there were new rules and it was mainly about being first in competitions and national rankings. At first I thought that I didn’t have a chance with that criteria, having competed mostly in the shadow of Olympians Tom Gage and Ed Burke.

I was somewhat surprised after going through the very arduous task of resurrecting my performances from mostly back issues of National Masters News and results Ken Stone contributed that I might have some performances that were worthy of some consideration. That included 2 WMA golds, 3 silvers and 8 bronze in 13 world championships. In World Masters Games, I had 3 gold and 1 silver. There didn’t seem to any interest in NCCWMA championships.

I have 38 U.S. national championships plus four national Senior Games championships. I was also ranked #1 in various events nationally 27 times.

Still hold world record in M65-9 indoor weight throw from 2009.

Plus 6 American records, 3 indoor (2 still stand) and 3 outdoor (2 still stand).

I guess my 10 years in national positions 4 as National Championship site coordinator and 6 as National helped. Plus my long history holding association positions and being a meet promotor and coach might have helped.

That’s all I can remember at this point.

Unlike other Hall of Fames, members of this one continue their athletic and admin careers. What are your own goals as a masters athlete?

As long as my body holds up, I will continue to compete. I am in continuous training all year long except when life gets in the way. Spending time in Arizona in the winter helps. It’s all about “Last Man Standing,” I believe.

Or administrator? Our club, Seattle Masters AC, continues to operate and put on at least three significant meets a year. Thanks to the help of Lance Neubauer, I do more of the administration than the heavy lifting. He does for me what I did for Ken Weinbel when he was alive. I also love teaching the hammer to high school athletes. Just retired from five years as a high school throws coach but continue to coach hammer to motivated high school athletes when I can find them.

How long can you keep this up?

Till it’s over. My wife, Kate, has been and is a great supporter in my athletic career.

Also unlike other Halls of Fame, ours has no physical location. Should USATF Masters make an effort to find such a home? If so, where should it be?

I was involved in what was supposed to be a Hall of Fame in the Armory in New York. It’s my understanding that it hasn’t been kept up. If there was to be a physical Hall of Famem I think it should be at USATF’s national headquarters.

I think if there is no physical Hall of Fame, I think there could be much greater recognition of the election of new members of the Masters Hall Of Fame. I have read USATF press releases about the officials and elite athletes’ Halls of Fame, but nothing on the Masters Hall of Fame that I know about. I get the feeling that our version of this is a joke to many in USATF.

I even notice on Facebook that last year’s inductees just received their plaques just before this year’s annual meeting. Oh well. It is what it is.

What is the most prized moment of your masters career?

I think winning gold in San Sebastian and Clermont-Ferrant. Being elected national chair twice. That turned into a lowlight.

Anything else readers should know about you or your career?

I love this sport and most of the people in it.

Print Friendly

December 20, 2015

15 Responses

  1. George Patterson - December 20, 2015

    Congratulations George!

  2. Larry Rheams - December 20, 2015

    About time!!! Congratulations for a true friend and great competitor. Thanks for all your help and what you do for our sport. “Last man standing” Larry Rheams

  3. Neni Lewis - December 20, 2015

    Congratulations, you deserve it.

  4. Bob Cedrone - December 20, 2015

    Congratulations to you, George. I’m always glad to see true dedication, commitment, and excellence rewarded by one’s peers. I’ve looked up to you and your legacy as a competitive athlete as one I try and emulate. Your work as an administrator, meet director, coach, and throws promoter is just as noteworthy and deserving of recognition.

  5. Charles Roll - December 20, 2015

    Congrats, George.

  6. Charles Roll - December 20, 2015

    Thanks for running this series, Ken.

  7. Doug & Stephanie Doyle - December 20, 2015

    Congratulations George! A well deserved honor!!

  8. Suzy Wojcik - December 21, 2015

    So very happy for you George! Congratulations!

  9. ellen connolly - December 21, 2015

    Georgie, congratulations, all of your hard work and dedication has paid off! Good work, Elle

  10. Jim Patterson - December 21, 2015

    Well deserved! George can organize a meet AND compete at the same time. Very impressive! The masters throwers in the NW appreciate your efforts.

  11. Tim Muller - December 21, 2015

    Congrats to a great competitor!! You go George!!

  12. Myrle Mensey - December 21, 2015

    Welcome to the Hall of Fame. You deserved it long ago.

  13. Jerry Huhn - December 22, 2015

    congratulations George, I might not be throwing if it was not for your dedication to the sport.

  14. Gary Schmidt - January 21, 2016

    George,
    Congrats on an honor well deserved!

  15. Paul Barrett - January 21, 2016

    Congrats George!! Amazing tally of World Medals and USA wins! Best of luck this season.

Leave a Reply