Logan announces USATF High Performance Audit Panel

USATF CEO Doug Logan announces the composition of and charter for the USATF High Performance Audit Panel in his most recent Shin Splints Blog. Three Olympic medalists and a Hall of Fame coach are among the seven panelists. To read the blog, visit http://www.usatf.org/about/leadership/ShinSplintsBlog/

USA Track & Field High Performance Audit Panel Charter

The USA Track & Field High Performance Audit Panel (The Panel) is charged with examining USATFs High Performance Programs, specifically as they relate to how we select, prepare and manage our International Teams. USATF bylaws stipulate that as an organization, we have a duty to develop the highest possible performance level for the United States in international competition and field the most competent United States individuals and teams. We must provide support and conditions for athletes at all levels of the sport which ensure optimal performance.

The Panel shall be composed of seven individuals who shall commence their work on October 13, 2008. In analyzing the topics below, The Panel should evaluate current systems, consider alternatives, and determine if, in its opinion, any changes should be made. A final report, including the Panels findings and recommendations, shall be presented to the USATF CEO by January 12, 2009.

The Panel shall evaluate the following:

1. International Team Staff system
   1. Volunteer Staff Selection
      1. Selection process
      2. Qualifications for selection
   2. Professional/Pool manager staffing
   3. Responsibilities prior to and during International competition
      1. Responsibilities of each staff member
   4. Accountability of volunteer and professional staff
2. International/Olympic Team Selection Process
   1. Timing of Olympic Trials
   2. Selection criteria
      1. Criteria for entry into Olympic Trials
      2. Criteria for Olympic Team selection Individual events
      3. Criteria for selection into relay pool
         1. Selection process and decision-making
3. Olympic Team Preparation
   1. Volunteer and professional staff involvement with athletes between Olympic Trials
      and Olympic Games
      1. How often and in what context?
      2. Can USATF exert any influence over Olympic Team members between the
         Olympic Trials and Olympic Games, to best determine
         competition schedule and preparation?
   2. Communication with athletes between Olympic Trials and Olympic Games
      1. How and how often?
   3. Team Training Camp
      1. Philosophy behind training camp
      2. Timing
      3. Location
      4. Management
      5. Athlete access to personal coaches/trainers
      6. Security, leisure and other issues
      7. Cost/Benefit analysis
4. National Relay Team Preparation and Training
   1. Genesis of National Relay Program
   2. How often and what context do athletes practice relays?
   3. Who is required to attend relay camp?
   4. Who conducts relay practice?
   5. What standard practices are enforced?
   6. Consequences for not taking part in camp?
   7. Who selects final relay lineups for competition?
   8. How many times do the final lineups practice before competing?
   9. Cost/benefit analysis of National Relay Program
5. Management of Team USA at International Competitions
   1. Staff/athlete dynamic
   2. Volunteer staff/USATF staff dynamic
   3. Athlete support
      1. Access to personal coaches, trainers, and friends/family
      2. Logistical responsibilities to athletes
   4. Travel arrangements
   5. Olympic Village life and impact on athletes
6. Team USA performance
   1. Analyze team performance in Beijing
      1. Medal tally
      2. Individual performances personal bests, seasonal bests
      3. Relay performances analysis
   2. Evaluate Team USA International Competition performance trends
   3. Determine areas with developmental needs/underperformance
7. USATF High Performance/Development programs
   1. Do existing USATF programs adequately prepare athletes for future competitions?
   2. Evaluate USATF Development programs overall
      1. Committee System
      2. Event Summits
      3. Training Centers
      4. Role of Sports Science
      5. Youth/Junior development
      6. Identify areas of success and areas of developmental need

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USATF High Performance Panel Biographies

CARL LEWIS: One of only two men to win nine gold medals in Olympic track & field competition, Carl Lewis is considered by many to be the greatest Olympic athlete in history. A former world record holder in the 100m, Carl won four golds at the 1984 Olympics (100, 200, long jump, 4x100m relay); two golds (100, long jump) and one silver (200) in 1988; two gold in 1992 (long jump, 4x100, WR); and one gold in 1996, winning his record fourth consecutive Olympic title in the long jump. In 1992, he anchored Team USA to a world-record in the 4x100m relay that stood until 2008 (37.40), and at one point won 65 consecutive long jump competitions.

RALPH MANN, Ph.D: Dr. Ralph Mann has been at the top of his field as an athlete and now as one of the worlds foremost sports scientists. The 1972 Olympic silver medalist in the mens 400m hurdles, Mann was a three-time NCAA champion in the 440-yard hurdles. Competing for Brigham Young, he won the 1969 title by tying the American record in 49.6 seconds and broke the world record in winning the 1970 crown (48.8). He won five national AAU titles as well. Now one of the worlds premiere biomechanists, Dr. Mann in 1982 was one of the six individuals that created the framework that brought sports science to USA Track & Fields development programs. For the past 25 years, he has overseen USATFs sport science analysis of sprints and hurdles.

BENITA FITZGERALD MOSLEY: The 1984 Olympic gold medalist in the 100m hurdles, Fitzgerald Mosley has been equally successful in her career since 84, as an executive in and advocate for women in sport and business. Currently serving as President and CEO of Women in Cable Telecommunications, Fitzgerald Mosley previously worked with the USOC in various administrative and developmental capacities, including as Director of Olympic Training Centers from 1997-2000. She is a trustee and past president of the Womens Sports Foundation Board of Trustees. A native of Virginia, she was named Top Female Sports Figure of the Century from the state by Sports Illustrated.

MEL ROSEN: A member of the U.S. Track and Cross Country Coaches of America Hall of Fame, Rosen was the mens head coach of the 1992 Olympic Team, where American men won 20 medals, including gold medals and world records in both relays. He was an assistant coach on the 1984 Olympic Team staff and was head coach for the 1987 World Championships team. In 1978 he was named NCAA Coach of the Year for indoor and outdoor track and was NCAA indoor Coach of the Year in 1980. It was while coaching at Auburn, from 1963-91, that he saw his greatest success. He has served as USATFs mens track and field committee chair and in 1994 received USATFs Robert Giegengack Award for his outstanding service to the organization. During his career, Rosen coached 143 All Americans, including 63 SEC indoor and outdoor champions and eight NCAA champions and is a member of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. He continues to teach at Auburn and is a consultant for the mens track team there.

DOUG INGRAM: Doug Ingram is the Managing Director, Performance Services, for the United States Olympic Committee. It has been his job to ensure that Olympic Teams perform to their highest levels as he oversees the USOC divisions of Sports Medicine, Sports Science and Coaching. He has been on the USOC staff since 1992, including serving as Director of Sport Partnerships and Managing Director of International Games. He previously had been a successful swimming coach for 23 years and won USA Swimmings highest award for contribution to the sport in 1994.

STEVE ROUSH: Steve Roush in December 2004 was named Director of Sport Performance of the USOC, overseeing the USOC divisions tasked with providing targeted resources to NGBs, athletes and coaches in pursuit of sustained competitive excellence. Roush joined the USOC in 2000, as Director of Sport Partnerships and was Managing Director, Sport Performance. He was Assistant Executive Director of USA Swimming from 1994-2000 and began his career as a coach in 1979.

JAY WARWICK: Also an accomplished athlete, coach and administrator, Jay Warwick is the USOCs Director of Sport Partnerships, overseeing USOC relationships with eleven national governing bodies including USATF in all matters involving allocation of USOC resources, national team selection and legal and governance issues. As a taekwondo athlete, Mr. Warwick was a silver medalist in the 1985 World Games, a two-time gold medalist in the Pan American Games, a three-time bronze medalist in World Championships and a bronze medalist in the 1988 Olympics. He was an eight-time National Champion. Warwick served as National Team Coach for the Pan American Games, World Cup and World Championships from 1989 to 1997. He was named USTU Coach of the Year in 1993 and USOC Taekwondo Coach of the Year in 1996. He served as Executive Director of USA Taekwondo from 1998-2002.