Posted: November 30, 2007

Athletics: Roe opens 2007 USATF Annual Meeting

HONOLULU, Hawaii - Celebrating a theme of "The Power to Make a Difference," the 2007 USA Track & Field Annual Meeting on Thursday officially welcomed 800 volunteers, officials, coaches, athletes and administrators to the festivities at the Sheraton Waikiki. President Bill Roe opened the Annual Meeting with a warm "Aloha" and a President's Report that exhorted the hundreds of USATF members present to, in the coming year, be positive, continue to exude positive energy, focus outwardly rather than looking only at self-interest, to be realistic in what we each can do and to change the geography of the sport, expanding it into areas where track has not traditionally been strong. Roe then looked farther into the horizon to challenges that lie beyond 2008, where cooperative planning and vision was a recurring theme. "Strategic planning needs to permeate the culture of the entire organization," he said, adding that "change is inevitable and needs to be part of the culture as well." He urged a clear definition of roles and division of labor. In an annual tradition, Roe awarded 12 President's Awards, recognizing those within the organization who have made unique contributions. The 2007 President's Award winners are: * Frank Zarnowski, combined events statistician, announcer and spokesperson * Lauryn Williams, elite athlete, USATF budget committee member and 2006 Visa Humanitarian Athlete of the Year * Ron and Maryanne Daniel, race walk administrators, volunteers and officials * Don DeNoon, race director and organizer of the NACAC Cross Country Championships * Rex Harvey, IAAF Masters Committee delegate * Juli Henner, coach of collegiate and professional runners and a former athlete * Mary Watters, youth coach of the Springfield Striders (Illinois Association) * Allen Johnson, USATF Board of Directors member, PAA Chair and elite athlete * Bill and Alma Jan Price, Potomac Valley Association volunteers and officials * Diane Wholey, collegiate coach and Team USA pool manager * The Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Half Marathon * Dick Courtney, Organizational Services Committee State of the Sport USATF CEO Craig Masback offered his analysis of the State of the Sport, offering an overview of 2007 and goals for 2008. He noted that although a deficit had been projected for 2007, the organization will finish the year in the black and generate record revenues in 2008. Among the organizational accomplishments in 2007 were a launching of the new USATF logo, the best-ever television ratings for a non-Olympic year and increasing the sport's presence on the Internet, largely via USATF's new relationship with the Wasserman Media Group. Participation levels in cross country, indoor and outdoor track all rose in the last year. In 2008, USATF will launch a new Website in conjunction with Wasserman Media group. USATF will unveil a mobile marketing 'traveling road show' at meets and races, running specialty stores and other promotional events around the country, spreading USATF's brand message from coast to coast. Also in 2008, USATF will seek to continue and extend its leadership role in the fight against drugs. "It's important to accept and state that this is a battle that will never end," Masback noted, "and never should end." Looking back over his 10 years as USATF CEO, Masback noted the lessons he has learned from USATF volunteers and others while leading the sport into a new century. "I learned to believe in the possible, even when things were at their darkest. ... I learned that when you have a visionary idea, you need to stick with it, no matter what. ... I learned that teamwork always beats individual effort. ... I learned that confidence works best when tempered with humility. ...I learned that if you don't stand for something, you shouldn't stand at all. .... And, I have learned that good people, who live life with integrity and purpose, will always triumph eventually - that is your story and the greatest lesson I have learned from all of you." For more information on the 2007 USATF Annual Meeting, visit USATF.org. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest