USTFCCCA Convention Starts Today, December 15!

So, what if Coaches got the recognition and treatment that they deserve in the sport of athletics? If you want to see an fine example, then, dear friends, come to the USTFCCCA convention one year.

Sam Seames is the CEO of the USTFCCCA, and he has created, with the help of coaches, sponsors and interested parties, the finest and largest coaching organization for track and cross country coaches that I know of, on the entire planet.

Fine clinics with exceptional speakers, an exhibit hall with products coaches use and need, and nice dinners, get togethers sponsored by businesses that see the benefits of a group that supports our sport.

The USTFCCCA is one of the thirty-five partners, thirty-four in the sports of athletics and one in general fitness, that are represented by the Fortius Media Group, LLC, the organization that I established in 2010 to represent the sport of athletics in marketing in this modern era. From the IMG College (NCAA track programs) to 22 running publications and websites in the Running Network, to the largest organization of runners in North America, the Road Runners Clubs of America (177,000 members, 2100 clubs), we support the events, the products, the businessness and the organizations that build our sport 365 days a year, and 24 hours a day.

The USTFCCA is a prime example of how good ideas, lots of elbow grease, and good people can influence a sport.

Phoenix hosts the annual Convention from Monday, December 15 through Thursday,

December 18.

More than 1400 college and high school coaches–a record high–will gather for a week of

development sessions and seminars, legislative voting sessions, social gatherings and two

of the premier events in collegiate track & field: The Bowerman and the USTFCCCA Hall of

Fame Induction Ceremony.

Coaching education, legislation, and networking will be at the forefront. Throughout the week,

attendees will have the opportunity to attend symposiums led by a number of the nation’s top

coaches specializing in each of the sport’s disciplines, each with a specific technical focus.

Each discipline — endurance, jumps, sprints/hurdles/relays, and throws–will have eight

separate presentations.

Directors of operations, high school coaches, and assistant coaches will have similar seminars

to aid their development.

For those especially keen on developing their knowledge base, the USTFCCCA’s

Track & Field Academy is hosting in-depth courses Saturday, December 13 through

Monday, December 15.

For the first time, an Academy course in Strength & Conditioning is being held; that will

be Thursday andFriday. Registration for these courses is closed and was separate

from convention registration.

In between the learning experiences and ceremonies are business meetings for each of the NCAA divisions for both track & field and cross country that will help shape the future of those sports.

The meetings throughout the week culminate in voting sessions on Thursday. At opening session,

consultant Jeff Schemmel of College Sports Solutions will present his conclusions from a

year-long study that his firm undertook on the present and future of the sport.

Convention-goers can kick off the week with the USTFCCCA Golf Scramble on Monday

morning.

Outside of the classroom and the boardroom, the ballroom will see college track & field’s

premier honors awarded.

The Bowerman– named in honor of legendary Oregon coach and track & field innovator

Bill Bowerman and the track & field equivalent of college football’s Heisman– will be awarded

to the most outstanding male and female collegiate track & field student-athletes in an

award show Wednesday, Dec. 17.

In a ceremony hosted by Ryan Fenton and streamed live on TheBowerman.org beginning

at 6:25 p.m. ET, The Bowerman Trophy will be awarded to one of three women’s finalists

and one of three men’s finalists.

Arizona distance runner Lawi Lalang, Oregon distance runner Edward Cheserek, and Texas A&M

sprinter Deon Lendore are the finalists for the men’s trophy, while the women’s award will go to

either Texas sprinter Courtney Okolo, Oregon distance runner Laura Roesler, or Arkansas State

hurdler Sharika Nelvis.

Former winners of the award include decathlon world record holder and Olympic champion

Ashton Eaton; 10,000 meter Olympic silver medalist Galen Rupp; and 2011 1500 meter World

Champion Jenny Simpson.

Two nights earlier on Monday, Dec. 16, convention attendees will be on hand as some of

the greatest coaches in the sport’s history will be honored at the USTFCCCA Coaches Hall

of Fame Class of 2014 Induction Ceremony.

Ed Nuttycombe (Wisconsin), Tom Donnelly (Haverford), Lance Harter (Arkansas, Cal Poly),

Chris Daymont (St. Olaf), Joey Haines (Southeast Missouri, Austin Peay, Lipscomb) and

Johnny Thomas (Southern (La.)) are the distinguished Class of 2014.

The 2013-14 USTFCCCA Program of the Year winners will be honored before the Hall of Fame

Induction Ceremony, as will the winner of the George Dales Award. During the opening session

on Tuesday, NCAA champions from the 2013-14 academic year will be presented their

championship rings from Balfour, and the winner of the Jimmy Carnes Distinguished Service

Award will be announced.

More information about the 2014 USTFCCCA Convention can be found on the

official website of the convention.

Larry Eder

Larry Eder has had a 50-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."

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