California Track & Running News Apr-June 2013, VOLUME 39 NUMBER 2 | Page 23
CTRN-APR-JUNE_2013--1_Layout 1 4/24/13 8:18 AM Page 23
1. the sport needs you.
3. your Athletic club needs you.
2. your usAtF Association needs you.
4. you need you (as an official).
All sports, including track & field, long distance
running, and race walking require officials to ensure fair competition. When issues or infractions
arise, trained officials, umpires, and referees are
there to resolve the matter—that is, they’re there
much of the time, particularly at championship
events. But our veteran officials force is succumbing to age. While we’re seeing an encouraging influx of new officials, they often don’t officiate with
enough regularity—or at all—to make up for our
dedicated, tried-and-true officials who find that
they can’t officiate with the vigor or frequency
that they once could. Consequently, despite our
best efforts, an increasing number of events under
USATF’s umbrella are conducted without adequate
officiating crews. Fair competition depends on
dedicated, certified USATF officials, all of whom
work as volunteers.
All 57 USATF associations have track &
field/LDR/race walking events within their boundaries that require competent officiating crews.
USATF requires that all of its sanctioned events follow applicable USATF rules of competition. Certified USATF officials understand these rules and are
trained to identify and adjudicate rules infractions
in an unbiased manner. USATF officials typically
rally around, and are appointed to work at, USATF’s
national championships. However, many USATF associations conduct association championship
events with inadequate officiating crews. The associations with the strongest competitive programs—such as association Grand Prix
circuits—typically require the strongest force of active officials to ensure that their events are professionally conducted in a manner that’s fair to all.
Many USATF member clubs organize and conduct
open and invitational competitions. Too often
these clubs run into shortages when they seek officials for these events. If your club organizes
events, you can offer a valuable resource as an official. Three years ago, the LDR Committee of Pacific
Association/USATF approved a policy that requires
its clubs to have a minimum number of certified
USATF officials (with an LDR/XC specialty) on their
club roster in order to score team points on the
PA/USATF Road and Cross Country Grand Prix circuits. This landmark move among USATF associations swelled the number of PA/USATF LDR/XC
officials to over 60. (PA/USATF has more than 300
certified officials in all sport disciplines.) “We must
now find ways to encourage more of these new officials to actually work events,” said PA/USATF LDR
officials coordinator Mark Winitz.
Who
Needs YOU
To Be A
USATF
Official?
If you enjoy competing on a regular basis, you
know that there are times when you just can’t, or
it’s not prudent, to compete. Wise athletes carefully plan their competitive schedules to avoid
burnout and/or injury. In particular, veteran athletes know that growing older requires more judicious planning of competitions to remain
motivated and healthy. And even the most careful
plans sometimes end with a temporary or permanent inability to compete. Officiating is a rewarding and productive way to stay involved in your
sport during these times. Plan ahead and become
a USATF official. Your involvement in the sport you
love can continue regardless of whether you’re entered in tomorrow’s race or not.
Why not give it a shot? WE NEED YOU!
Join San Diego’s Sweetest Race!
May 26, 2013
4th Annual Vista
Strawberry5000.com
Chip Timed for 10k & 5k
All Racers Receive:
23
Performance T
Custom Medal
Fresh Fruit
Free Craft Beer (21+)
April–June 2013 • ct&rn
Register Today: