| Briefly stated, my trip to Mobile, Alabama for the annual National
Track and Field conference was enormously beneficial, which is largely
attributable to the fact that we, the Deaf contingent, were able to establish
these two vital things: VISIBILITY and CREDIBILITY.Throughout the history
of our sometimes unfortunate and financially strapped USADTF organization,
athletes, coaches and other track and field personnel were able to keep
the ailing USADTF ship afloat without maintaining a high degree of visibility
among its hearing counterparts. Needless to say, these words, "Who
are you?" were commonplace among our hearing peers, some of whom wield
considerable power in financial appropriations, endorsements, support and
other pertinent matters.
Now, because the USADTF president Thomas Withrow, USA Deaflympic long distance coach Karen Sanfacon and myself as a 6-time Deaflympian were able to well represent ourselves as a cultural and linguistic entity whose track and field athletes deserve EQUAL respect, recognition, financial support and sponsorship given to that of other disability groups such as the Paralympics organization, these words, "Who are you?" have given way to "We recognize you. How would you like for us to help you?" This, I strongly believe, has further paved the way to the establishment of our credibility as a legit, fledgling organization whose hopes are to grow and become financially healthy.Towards the end of the conference, track and field people had begun to approach us and greet us on a first name basis. Some of them even sought us out. For example, Karen Sanfacon was able to establish rapport with the person in charge of the next National cross-country championships. Not only his support was garnered for the inclusion of Deaf cross-country runners in the Nationals, but he also went out of his way to ensure that he will be directly reponsible pertaining to the logistics involving deaf runners at the Nationals. To further stress my point, USADTF President Thomas Withrow was able to "sidebar" with the vice-president of the USA Track and Field organization, an extremely busy man, and discuss specific concerns with him for a good 30 minutes. The vice-president, whose name I fail to remember and for which I apologize, appeared very conducive to these concerns, most of which related to working conditions with the Disability Committee and its current president. I was on hand at that meeting and I remember with clarity the vice-president saying he would be happy to ensure a "healthy working relationship" between USATF, including the other groups within the whole organization,and USADTF. This is a powerful statement, I believe, of the need to keep sending USADTF contingents to every National Track and Field conferences henceforth. Furthermore, the Veep has even assured us that qualified, certified ASL interpreters would be secured at every conference and that the cost, although possibly prohibitive, would be taken care of.Of course, there were numerous smaller but not lesser important issues addressed during the conference by the Deaf representatives. Before flying to Mobile, I admit to having entertained the thought of retirement due to lack of opportunity for competition in the vicinity of my residence in Colorado, but then I met with several Masters competitors, one of whom is the President of International Affairs at the Colorado State University, and they managed to change my mind. They reported that there would be a Masters competition in February in throwing events and that I would be a cinch for a medal, given my age and throwing distance. I thought of many young, promising athletes whose track and field careers have gone awry because of reasons like mine. If a few of them could represent the USA Deaflympics track and field
team at subsequent National Track and Field conferences, I am willing to
bet my house and other assets that many a career would be saved.
Enthusiasm/motivation would be stoked and spread;
In closing, I strongly urge that, in light of the wonderful reasons enumerated above, groups consisting of officials, coaches and athletes be sent to ALL national conferences in the future as representatives of the USADTF and the parent USADSF organization. Let it be said that should such happen, there will be no regrets whatsoever! The USA is supposedly the best, so let us use the available means at our hands to establish USADTF as the best organization of its kind in the whole world. Finally, I wish to thank those reponsible for making this trip possible for me. It has opened my eyes to the internal world of USATF and I wish to spread what I have learned. Thank you! Warm Regards,
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