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| Hi T&F Lovers and Friends;
As you can see how things are happening. Not only in National Governing Body-National Sport Organization level, but USOC-USADSF level as well, we all are currently ironing wrinkles to improve relationship. USADSF and USADTF are looking at USOC and USATF, respectively, to tear down barriers we have endured for so many years. More on this as things develop. I as an avid track/field enthusiast and President, am saddened to see how some schools for the Deaf have done with their cross-country and track/field programs. More and more schools are closing down the program, especially female cross-country teams. Last fall, it was reported that there was NOT ONE submission of any female cross-country team or even individual. I am calling coaches, Athletic Directors and Principals all over to start paying attention to this matter. Cross-country and Track/Field are essential to ALL sports. Colleges such as Gallaudet University and NTID need you to develop athletes BEFORE they come to college level OR even for competition in Deaflympics. USADTF, colleges and USA/Deaflympic Team look at you to step up and improve those conditions. Currently, USADTF is implementing Youth program at 4 different schools - Family Track and Field Games. Those events serve as exposure to young athletes at early age. It is our hope that those athletes participating in FTFG will grow up interested in track/field. I am very pleased to know that Kendall Demonstration School for the Deaf and Maryland School for the Deaf are having Middle School track/field programs this spring. There may be other schools developing such a program that we are not aware of. Let us know if you have a Middle School program. "How can we improve our cross-country and track/field programs?" You might be asking us. We say - invest in your coaches by sending them to clinics; hire coaches who have knowledge; get coaches from other sports to send their athletes to track/field for conditioning; educate your athletes about the Deaflympics, Family Track/Field Games, Youth Pan Am Games for the Deaf (PANAMDES) and that track/field helps them with their physical and mental growth. Bottom line is that you have responsibility to see to that your athletes are being developed into fine people. Track & Field needs YOU! We welcome comments, feedback, and suggestions. USADTFly, Thomas Withrow
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