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Location: Orlando, Florida | OK, I have given in to the Blogging world and decided that if I was going to write something, I wanted it to be positive energy to this sport. I have created what I hope will be a world wide blog about getting our sport into the Olympics in 2012. What can we do and how? Also it is intended to talk about all types of things in the skating world and to state my opinions without getting chastized or blasted. ( I am sure that I will on here by someone who wants to be smart, but that again, is the negative energy that we don't need) Constructive words are what we need. PLEASE check it out and hope you comment if you feel the need on the blog.
Thanks and enjoy.. LETS GET THIS SPORT TO THE OLYMPICS.. I am tired of watching this on TV and not having some part of it when we are all athletes and coaches at the same caliber!
http://inlinetolondon2012.blogspot.com/
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| It's great to hear positive ideas, as are in the blog. Similar ideas, for coaches, would be to help coach clinics, to help the skaters leave them even better, ready for whatever comes next. And to host regional clinics. And to, in various ways, get more skaters involved in Worlds-type outdoor, and doing it well.
For skaters, the positive steps would be skating, especially clinics. And training, to be able to skate at an Olympic level. For parents, the positive steps would be to support skaters, your own kids, and others, who want to work to be at an Olympic level.
Outdoor Nationals 2009 will be closely watched by Olympic decision makers. It will be a time for us to show whether our sport is Olympic quality. The USA meet will not be the only meet evaluated, but it will be a key. So now's the time for everyone interested to build quality. That's skaters. That's coaches, building themselves to Olympic quality, and building skaters. That's parents, building a support structure, so skaters and coaches can focus on skating itself. That everyone interested, helping to fill the Colorado Springs stands with spectators, so the world can see that speedskating is something that plenty of people are excited to watch.
Edited by Jim White 2008-08-15 5:21 AM
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Location: Bethpage TN | Joe this is the first week of school for my kids. My youngest is starting her second season of skating. We skate for the Sprinters and Don Powley. Shelby brought home a collectable card from school Wednesday. It was of Olympic Speed skater Jennifer Rodriguez. I told her that Jennifer had started on quads back in the 80's and was able to pull up some Utube video of her at Nationals back in 86. I also showed her a video of Chad at that same Championships.
Chad lost his race. She could not believe it. I was able to tell her that with hard work and determination you can go from that little boy that lost at Nationals to the most prolific inline skater in History and an Olympic Gold Medalist. She looked at me and says like kids will. "You know it would be a whole lot cooler to skate on inlines at the Olympics." She will be 18 in 2016.
What ever we have to do, needs to be done. Our sport above so many others deserves the opportunity to shine on the world stage. Keep it positive, keep pushing for the results we all want. Can you imagine the influx of new skaters into the sport. Every kid in America and the rest of the world that has a pair of inlines or roller skates will be dreaming about skating in the Olympics.
Edited by xlracer 2008-08-15 7:13 AM
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Location: New Jersey | This brings up something I have always wondered. There have been many interviews with the Olympic atheletes recently where how much and how hard they train gets some attention, as well as how they eat, sleep and prepare for the games.
The atheletes claim to train 5, 6, 8 hours a day to be as good at thier chosen sport as they can be. I know I'm just an old guy that likes to skate, but how do our World Class atheletes stack up to those numbers and that kind of work ethic?
I think the kids in the WHIP program get the chance to train like that, but what about all the rest? If inline skating does get into the games, do we have anything in place to help our skaters be at thier best? 3 weeks of residency won't cut it, there needs to be an orchestrated year round program IMO.
What do you all think? Should we start building something now?
Barry C |
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| Top level ice skaters truely do train many hours each day. This includes WHIP, and a good number of Salt Lake skaters who aren't WHIP. There also are ice-based programs in Milwaukee of similar intensity. Both of these programs do have inline options.
Yes, it would be good to build something similar for inline. For anyone interested, I suggest to find an existing quality inline program that you're comfortable with, and move to live there (ice speedskaters for years have been moving to where the good programs are, with the whole family when appropriate). Before you go, tell the coach you want to train at that level, and ask whether he/she will be supportive. If you want many hours of coaching, expect to pay for it, at a rate appropriate for a professional coach, one of the best in the country in your sport. Also expect to spend many hours on your own. Also convince other good skaters to join you. All these things the Olympic candidate level ice skaters do. And Team Florida did, so it can be done in inline.
There is at least one plan in the works for a top level resident inline training program. Anyone with lots of money, contact me, and I'll tell the planners. Others, don't wait for it, start training at Olympic level now so you'll be qualified for whatever program suits you.
I also suggest to not ignore the ice-based programs. For someone whose real goals are inline, and who enjoys working long and hard, they may be the best way available today to reach top inline goals. Some of the best inliners are using them.
Edited by Jim White 2008-08-15 7:39 AM
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Location: Orlando, Florida | Barry, I will tell you a little that I do know, and that if you are going to be an OLYMPIC caliber athlete, you have to train as an Olympic caliber athlete. That means training hours per day and dedicating yourself to training. All understand that NOT everyone can be at this level and not everyone can commit to that much of a schedule but you can accomodate most by doing simple things. i.e. Weight training, you cant go to the gym, learn to collect milk jugs and fill them with water to the amount of weight you need. Learn to do squats at home while you watch tv, learn to accomodate to meet your needs.
I will be posting a blog on training soon and I will elaborate on my ideas and thoughts.. I hope it helps.
As far as work schedule, if you notice in the Olympics, Home Depot has a ton of ads because they are actually involved in a program in which they help OLYMPIC athletes to work there and earn sufficient enough money to live as they need and to train as needed to be the best. I am sure that if you are that interested you can present yourself to Home Depot in a way that they would be happy to get you on board this program if the Olympics are your goals.
It takes a lot to be there, but I know that we can do it.. I am glad that I have had positive response so far and to all I thank you.. I hope my blog will keep giving positive influence and a path to the Olympics in London! lets do it! |
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Location: GA | I too would love to see the sport we love so much go to where we all know it belongs. Training is what it is all about. If you think you can you might. If you know you can you will. We also need complexes across the USA that would house our athletes. Where we could use an indoor floor for corning and an outside veladrome with a marathon track where we could get strength. Along with this complex I would suggest an apprentest school so we could teach our athletes a profession for after skating. There are many that put the whole life into traing and after the body says no more they have no place to go. We must conceder lives not just athletic. If we put our minds together and learn from other countries on what they are dong for their athletic we will susseced. We use to be # 1 now what are we 4th? Keep positive and we will win. |
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Location: Orlando, Florida | Mr. B, from what I see, it is looking like we now have a Velodrome in Indinapolis! that is a progress step. Slowly maybe we can start seeing more and more of this growth. Its going to take some major sponsors to take not and join us on our journey.
We have to look at WHAT is making other countries grow and take note.. thanks... more great topics I can blog on soon.. Gotta save some for there. hahaha.. |
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| Mr B,
The Major TaylorVelodrome in Indianapolis is a cycling velodrome, the warm-up apron that we use for track races is a flat track. Very similar to that at the OTC, without the bank track. The track size we skate on is just apprx 300m.
The Major Taylor Velodrome has been host to many national and international competitions, including the 1987 Pan American Games. The 333 1/3 meter track is smooth concrete with 28 degree banking in the turns. Although the track is used by many elite bicycle racers, it is suitable for ages 10+.
Major Taylor Velodrome offers racing for all levels of competitors from beginner to elite. We also offer clinics, organized practice sessions and instructional sessions for organized groups. The 33-foot concrete apron is a great place for inline skating!
http://www.indygov.org/NR/rdonlyres/914A2CE1-7130-4A20-964E-93328D9... |
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| Re Indy, here's info for the next inline races:
http://www.indyspeed.org/2008/2008MTVinlineFlyer.doc
Skaters have been as young as 6, or younger.
There's also a similar race series in Roseville, MN
Regarding such tracks in general, there are hundreds (school running tracks, many with surfaces good for skating), so plenty of places for future Olympians to train (although none with a complete high-level inline program, as Joe and Mr. B. are discussing.)
Edited by Jim White 2008-08-15 2:07 PM
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Location: Frenchtown, New Jersey. USA | Mr B. - 2008-08-15 12:43 PM
I too would love to see the sport we love so much go to where we all know it belongs. Training is what it is all about. If you think you can you might. If you know you can you will. We also need complexes across the USA that would house our athletes. Where we could use an indoor floor for corning and an outside veladrome with a marathon track where we could get strength. Along with this complex I would suggest an apprentest school so we could teach our athletes a profession for after skating. There are many that put the whole life into traing and after the body says no more they have no place to go. We must conceder lives not just athletic. If we put our minds together and learn from other countries on what they are dong for their athletic we will susseced. We use to be # 1 now what are we 4th? Keep positive and we will win.
Mr B,
What a GREAT response to a very good thread! The Netherlands has such "Sport Schools" in place for many,many years, and it works! After sport, they have their EDUCATION, and are Well Rounded "People" that live sucessful lives.......Some even coach as professional coaches IN MANY Different SPORTS, after they stop skating.
Keep the ideas coming, and expect as Jim White has said, to Pay For It.
Down the road, it will be worth the INVESTMENT..............We are investing in People....We are investing in OURSELVES 
Pete
Edited by dykstraspeed 2008-08-15 2:36 PM
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Location: GA | Thanks Pete, I am working on such a place in Atl and am in the begining stages of a Complex. We all know what is needed we just need to come together as a family and get it done. I have invested many hours and much effort in the sport as have many but now it is time to shift gears and go to the next level and reach our GOLD. Please continue to do as we all have done in the past for if we do not feed the sport it will fade away. Please help where you can because it will take all for such an investment. |
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Location: Frenchtown, New Jersey. USA | I would like to see a higher "Standard" with coaching Education.
The "Tests" in place are fine for an "Entry Level" coach with USARS, but from there How many actually Educate themselves further???
If we want to get this sport to an even higher level....Like Olympic Status, It must start with Higher EDUCATION.
Yes I know that Inline Crossovers, have been a "part" of US SPEEDSKATING's "Talent Pool" and are doing well on the Ice, BUT this seems to be the "Cream Of The Crop" from the sport of Inline Speed, and In My Opinion, even though USARS has Strength In Numbers and a Very Good "Grass Roots" System, I feel it can and SHOULD be brought up to the next level.....Again with Education.
Here is a website that could fit our needs as Coaches, with "Proven Education Methods" http://www.asep.com/about.cfm
If we set our "Standards" with Coaching Education, to a higher level, we will have success with Athletes At A Higher Level.
That Puts "Our People" at a higher level.
The Olympics is "The Highest Level"
So how can we Motivate Coaches to take Classes that would actually help them, to help People perform at a higher level, in ALL aspects of LIFE?
I really hope in the NEAR future, we can set the bar HIGHER, and Include Coaching Education, as some "Key" steps to climbing that ladder.
And can we FOCUS also please on ALL the PEOPLE on a Team??? I mean some "Clubs" start a season with 50-60 skaters, and by Regionals there are only 35 left on the team........What about those"Other" 25-30 "People"???
More energy needs to be put on the "Ones That Got Away"............What can Coaches of "Inline Clubs" do better in their PROGRAM to keep them wanting to PLAY???
This is where the "Grass Roots" level could be improved. EDUCATION Coaches......
How many of you have worked with skaters that The Coach Gave Little or NO Attention???
The one's that have AS I, already know that when those same PEOPLE, get some extra help, they IMPROVE and hey those Coaches that paid no attention to these skaters, Are Now GIVING THEM ATTENTION, and they STAY IN THE SPORT, and did not Quit/Give Up.
Again it goes to EDUCATION........We must Educate ourselves, and Have COMPASSION for ALL PEOPLE.
So we want to get to the Olympics on INLINES........Let's start with "The One's That Got Away"
Education and Compassion will build up the Level and Quality of OUR PEOPLE.
Joe Hanna, Thank You for starting this Thread.
Pete
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| I am a very educated man and started speedsk8ng (one of the smartest things I've ever done) late in life but I tend to agree with Mr. B with a slightly different slant. I believe that one of the critical keys to acceptance of our sport into the Olympics is to get the college and university systems to also accept it. With some variance, all the sports now practiced and accepted as Olympic sports are entrenched in our high schools and colleges already. Invariably, in the US from the moment they enter Jr. and Sr. High School, athletes have traditionally been required to maintain certain grade point averages to participate in high school and collegiate sports. If they can't keep their grades up the school and athletic associations will put them on probation or won't let them participate until they can. I would suggest this as a general rule for our athletes also. As far as apprenticeships, our better bet would be to focus on establishing a college scholarship foundation specifically for our athletes and based on academic performance. This requires alot of hard work but it can be done by setting up a non-profit organization, pounding the pavement, and finding a few colleges and universities that are willing to accept/sponsor inline speedskating as a collegiate sport (would be nice to see some college/university speedsk8 teams), and government agencies, large corporations (especially sports/ sk8 gear manufacturers), and charitable foundations willing to donate to such a non-profit. Unfortunately, this is ALOT of work and would require the fulltime efforts of several people, volunteer or otherwise. It would require a team/committee within USARS with the expressed solitary purpose of gaining collegiate acceptance and establishing scholarships. And, we have to "prime the pump" so to speak in order to even have the initial funds to begin such an endeavor. We need to identify any Federal funding that may be available to us (grants, etc). Maybe we can hold a special meet in each region every year designed specifically to support scholastic funding for our athletes. Even at my age, life remains a learning process and once we cease to learn, we die I don't know much about the aims and goals of USARS and need people like Mr. B and others to give me a cram course in the political ins and outs of USARS to even know if this can be done. If USARS isn't willing to listen and support us in bringing our sport to the Olympics and college/ university systems then it can't be done anyway while we're part of USARS.
dan allen
sprinters speed club
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| I also tend to agree with Mr. Dykstra. At the collegiate and Olympic levels, most coaches have college degrees in physical education and/or health, and ususally some other major to fall back on such as teaching certification. We are at a disadvantage because alot of our coaching is based on grassroots and alot of our coaches are aged skaters with a good practical knowledge of skating and skating rinks (because we depend on them) but don't have access to or the benefit of continuing education to improve their coaching ability. Perhaps this could also be tied into the scholastic program I discussed in my previous post? Bottom line is....we've got alot of catching up to do in comparison to the already established collegiate and Olympic sports so we're gonna have to learn directly from them in order to avoid reinventing the wheel.
dan allen
sprinters speed club |
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| sk8rdad - 2008-08-16 6:44 AM This requires alot of hard work but it can be done by setting up a non-profit organization, pounding the pavement, and finding a few colleges and universities that are willing to accept/sponsor inline speedskating as a collegiate sport (would be nice to see some college/university speedsk8 teams), and government agencies, large corporations (especially sports/ sk8 gear manufacturers), and charitable foundations willing to donate to such a non-profit. Unfortunately, this is ALOT of work and would require the fulltime efforts of several people, volunteer or otherwise. It would require a team/committee within USARS with the expressed solitary purpose of gaining collegiate acceptance and establishing scholarships. And, we have to "prime the pump" so to speak in order to even have the initial funds to begin such an endeavor. We need to identify any Federal funding that may be available to us (grants, etc).
True, except that a USARS committee isn't required, at least not now. The "several people" can do their thing independent of USARS. If they are succesful, USARS will do the NGB essentials, and more. Setting up an organization isn't a big deal, and some already exist. Priming the pump isn't a major hurdle either; the money needed to start is available, no, not the money to rent offices and hire staff, but the money to do the important startup work.
Generally, the way to get a new sport into a college is to first establish it as a club sport. Typically, a few students who want to form a club, any kind of club, can do so. If the club proves itself to be reasonably popular and stable, and (as a sport) competes with clubs in other colleges for a few years, then the college would consider having the sport be an official sport, under the NGB. All this is much easier if the club/sport finances itself; it's much easier to find a college who will accept someting than to find a college that will sponsor it. If a college is going to sponsor something, there must be a benefit to the college, and that's hard to do for a sport without a large fan base.
But this is rather far from Pete's suggestion that coaches be educated. Many education opportuntities exist, so use those to learn how to be better coaches. Nutrition, physiology, physics and sports psychology are all pretty much the same for most sports, as are the business management subject.
Note that there are USARS-sponsored scholarships.
Edited by Jim White 2008-08-16 11:51 AM
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| Well guys not to burst your bubble but the sports to be introduced and excluded in the 2012 games have already been decided. Roller sports did not recieve enough votes to become a summer game. I beleive in the next two years they'll be having the vote for the 2016 games. What we need to do, in my personal opinion, is to find a way to get money into the sport. More money will get us TV time with will increase popularity which is what the IOC wants to see, a sport that will be watched. |
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| No burst bubble. Anything done to grow the sport will be worthwhile in itself, Olympics is frosting. And, there's yet openings like demo sports. |
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Location: GA | I'll take a demo sport in 2012. Get our foot in the door then we can knock it down. (I think that quote was said before) |
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Location: Frenchtown, New Jersey. USA | Jim White - 2008-08-16 2:24 PM
sk8rdad - 2008-08-16 6:44 AM This requires alot of hard work but it can be done by setting up a non-profit organization, pounding the pavement, and finding a few colleges and universities that are willing to accept/sponsor inline speedskating as a collegiate sport (would be nice to see some college/university speedsk8 teams), and government agencies, large corporations (especially sports/ sk8 gear manufacturers), and charitable foundations willing to donate to such a non-profit. Unfortunately, this is ALOT of work and would require the fulltime efforts of several people, volunteer or otherwise. It would require a team/committee within USARS with the expressed solitary purpose of gaining collegiate acceptance and establishing scholarships. And, we have to "prime the pump" so to speak in order to even have the initial funds to begin such an endeavor. We need to identify any Federal funding that may be available to us (grants, etc).
True, except that a USARS committee isn't required, at least not now. The "several people" can do their thing independent of USARS. If they are succesful, USARS will do the NGB essentials, and more. Setting up an organization isn't a big deal, and some already exist. Priming the pump isn't a major hurdle either; the money needed to start is available, no, not the money to rent offices and hire staff, but the money to do the important startup work.
Generally, the way to get a new sport into a college is to first establish it as a club sport. Typically, a few students who want to form a club, any kind of club, can do so. If the club proves itself to be reasonably popular and stable, and (as a sport ) competes with clubs in other colleges for a few years, then the college would consider having the sport be an official sport, under the NGB. All this is much easier if the club/sport finances itself; it's much easier to find a college who will accept someting than to find a college that will sponsor it. If a college is going to sponsor something, there must be a benefit to the college, and that's hard to do for a sport without a large fan base.
But this is rather far from Pete's suggestion that coaches be educated. Many education opportuntities exist, so use those to learn how to be better coaches. Nutrition, physiology, physics and sports psychology are all pretty much the same for most sports, as are the business management subject.
Note that there are USARS-sponsored scholarships.
Hi Jim,
I feel too many Coaches have become "Complacent" in their knowelage base, and feel they know enough.
It is this "Attitude" IMO, that needs to be changed.....Get your self Educated, and MORE EDUCATED......It is Ongoing and the results will be GREAT!!!
Pete |
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Location: Frenchtown, New Jersey. USA | JasJ002 - 2008-08-16 2:26 PM
Well guys not to burst your bubble but the sports to be introduced and excluded in the 2012 games have already been decided. Roller sports did not recieve enough votes to become a summer game. I beleive in the next two years they'll be having the vote for the 2016 games. What we need to do, in my personal opinion, is to find a way to get money into the sport. More money will get us TV time with will increase popularity which is what the IOC wants to see, a sport that will be watched.
Jayson,
I think more money would come to our sport, with a better structure, much like High School and College Sports use.
I think SK8RDad's posts are information dense, and this is the direction to go too IMO.
Education building as well as Performance building.........We get more well rounded People.
Perhaps some of what you have learned at the Academy could be applied to Striving For Excellence with Skaters, weather they are Club Level, up to World Team Level and World Champions.......
We too must make sure ALL those athletes set "Goals For Life" with a solid Education base.
There is So Much For Us To Learn.......Let's look at sucessful programs of Really good Schools to "Model" and Emulate, as well as the Speed Clubs that have a High success rate of "Development" of their skaters, not only at Competition, but in School, Carreer and Life.
This IS what Olympians are made of.
How about Phelps by the way
We saw some history tonite buddy!
Pete |
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Location: Orlando, Florida | Thanks for all of the positive comments, but just a not Pieter, there IS a testing and education part of coaching if you follow up on it and continue pursuing this. Many coaches just do the open book test and get their SC2 level coaching status so that they can have a little more credibility and access, but you CAN go further and educate yourself. There is an SC3 level exam that includes ALL aspects of coaching including Nutrition, physiology, physics and sports psychology. This is one of the toughest tests you will take and you MUST study for this test. You have to have the PROPER credentials to take it in the first place, then take it BEFORE a QUALIFIED examiner. You will be surprised what you will learn. Even when you think you know a lot, this test will wake you up to a lot.
I actually enjoyed studying for it and taking it. It is NOT open book, and there are many questions that are NOT multiple choice, but you have to explain an answer.
Education is there if you want it, however, I do believe there should be a coach apprentice program for ALL new coaches. This will help more to learn about what is involved and how to get it done. I do believe that it should not be so easy to get any level of coaches card. Maybe the first card, should be the same test as taking the SC3 and the SC3 something more that comes from qualifications. At least we would know that Everyone has a knowledgebase before they begin!
AS for entering the sport into the colleges and Universities, I could not agree with you more, but it actually starts in the HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL SYSTEM. YOu start with a CLUB, then build to where you are competing against other school "Clubs" and soon it starts to grow.
AS for Olympics in 2012, there is a little more to it than that, and there IS indeed a possibility, don't throw cold water just yet 
I can assure you that there will be people taking notes this year and also come outdoor nationals, I can assure you there ill be taking a lot more notes. We are hiping that 2016 is the biggest one for Speedssktaing.
THanks for the comments and keep them coming..
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| Joe,
Dave has something you may be interested in. I will get the info from him and pass it on. |
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Location: Frenchtown, New Jersey. USA | JoeeD - 2008-08-17 11:13 AM
Thanks for all of the positive comments, but just a not Pieter, there IS a testing and education part of coaching if you follow up on it and continue pursuing this. Many coaches just do the open book test and get their SC2 level coaching status so that they can have a little more credibility and access, but you CAN go further and educate yourself. There is an SC3 level exam that includes ALL aspects of coaching including Nutrition, physiology, physics and sports psychology. This is one of the toughest tests you will take and you MUST study for this test. You have to have the PROPER credentials to take it in the first place, then take it BEFORE a QUALIFIED examiner. You will be surprised what you will learn. Even when you think you know a lot, this test will wake you up to a lot.
I actually enjoyed studying for it and taking it. It is NOT open book, and there are many questions that are NOT multiple choice, but you have to explain an answer.
Education is there if you want it, however, I do believe there should be a coach apprentice program for ALL new coaches. This will help more to learn about what is involved and how to get it done. I do believe that it should not be so easy to get any level of coaches card. Maybe the first card, should be the same test as taking the SC3 and the SC3 something more that comes from qualifications. At least we would know that Everyone has a knowledgebase before they begin!
AS for entering the sport into the colleges and Universities, I could not agree with you more, but it actually starts in the HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL SYSTEM. YOu start with a CLUB, then build to where you are competing against other school "Clubs" and soon it starts to grow.
AS for Olympics in 2012, there is a little more to it than that, and there IS indeed a possibility, don't throw cold water just yet
I can assure you that there will be people taking notes this year and also come outdoor nationals, I can assure you there ill be taking a lot more notes. We are hiping that 2016 is the biggest one for Speedssktaing.
THanks for the comments and keep them coming..
Hi Joe,
I am familiar with the SC3. I was going to take it some years ago when Charles Wahlig was Moderating the Course in Christiana, Deleware. I did not take it though as it required A LOT of study time....I am great at tests, but the timing was bad, and not enough study time.......Not and Excuse, but a reality
Now the SC1 is a great "Entry Level" course that USARS gives to new coaches, and the SC2 is quite EASY as well. The Gap to SC3 was TOO GREAT IMO.
Now the Site I posted allows Coaches to go at their own pace AND they can take tests where they feel the need more attention.....Their weaknesses perhaps.
The "Mentor Coach" or Apprentice Coach geting Real World experance IS VERY GOOD, I agree. Perhaps USARS will incorporate such a "Plan" for the Indoor Program....I know I have seen the Job/Position posted for the Outdoor World Team.
Taking Notes and Always Striving to better one's self as a Coach, and NETWORKING with other great Coaches/People is a great way to Grow the Sport. Having Coaches from other Countries, come here to USA for "Camps" and Networking is good. ( I recall Mary telling me thet Buggy Did this a Lot)
It sounds like you and Other Great Coaches here are on their way to making Inline Speedskating even Better, with plans you are all putting together
I really hope this continues with Open Mindness and a "Thinking Outside The Box" Attitude.
It really is fantastic to see that the Fighting on this board has stopped and the Sport is moving Forward to a HIGHER LEVEL
When It hits the Olympic Games....Specators will Love Us, and Our SPIRIT will grow!!!
Pete
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Location: Orlando, Florida | Thanks to all for the positive energy, I have a new post up today on the blog, hope it helps!
http://inlinetolondon2012.blogspot.com/ |
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Location: Orlando, Florida | Jeff, looking forward to hearing from you.. Thanks.. |
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Location: Lincoln, Nebraska | Simmons/Schankel - 2008-08-17 11:08 AM
Joe,
Dave has something you may be interested in. I will get the info from him and pass it on.
Jeff... you tease! Share with all of us. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 736
Location: Orlando, Florida | Top Secret Southern Region stuff! |
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Veteran
Posts: 170
Location: Monroe, NC | You guys are correct about the college level creating a club. I believe you must also find a faculty member to act as the coach/pres of the club. When I was in school I was a member of the billiards team. Not many people are aware there are billiard teams at college level. We had a team captain who was a team member and a faculty member who we reported to. There was a tournament held once a year where the top ten would make up the team to represent the college. We would then attend the ACUI tounament which was held at UT or VT. The only money the college had to spend was for the hotel and gas for the school bus along with $75 allowance for each member for food. To get this in to colleges, the skaters who attend must be the ones to come together to form a club at each school and find a faculty member to come aboard to represent them. Then pitch to the chairman the organized sport. Don't expect them to hand over any money or scholarships for it though. At best they may pay for uniforms and travel expenses for meets. Again it will take our college aged skaters to come together and create this, there is not much us on the outside can do. Also remember that with any sport at the college level the athletes must abide by NCAA rules which means any college skater can not compete as a Pro or accept sponsors/gifts. That may be a problem. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 736
Location: Orlando, Florida | Jamie, thanks for the positive words! Just want to say that I think that it is more than just the college students, it has to start way before that, so that these people, when they GET to college, are looking forward to this or yearning to skate as they always have.
I believe that with so many college aged youth that skate already, even if it is recreationally, we can develop greatness. I think again, it has to do with educating the public. Teaching them about our sport. I believe that if you show these college aged people the sport of racing, they will get into and compete at any level. It is a challenge and all love a challenge.. Just think about the fraternities and sororities competing for pride! This could be a shoe in..
I just learned about a sport called "CORNHOLE" this weekend. After looking into it, I realized that there are leagues, a governing body and more.. Cornholing?? I loved it, I am ready to build my own cornhole boards and start playing against friends and even thought about working it into some what of a fund rasier for our team. A cornhole tournament! My point is this is the Same thing as us, we have to teach the people about what we already have in place! Before long, they will be doing the same thing and looking to where it can be implemented. EDUCATE, and the rest will follow.
As far as NCAA rules, I am sure that there will be some adopting and fiddling with to get it where it needs to be.
Keep the suggestions coming. I believe we are all creating positive attitudes and ideas.. Maybe soon we can get something together and present it to the school systems and colleges.. IF we develop a plan, and maybe all of us execute this together, we can succeed. If we all start putting parts together, then maybe we can all fine tune it and create this Uniform "presentation" that we can all use. Thanks |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 736
Location: Orlando, Florida | OK, Sometimes when you are inspired, you can do great things, and these suggestions have done just that! To start this program and to start up way for us to create this uniform program that we can present to all, I have created a special web site just to work on that. It is WWW.INLINERACINGINSTITUTE.COM . This should be working as we speak, if not, then give it a little today and all should be functional. I have added a guest book in which I hope all will sign and a chat room that you can chat live with others on there. KEEP IN MIND, THIS WAS CREATED TO WORK ON THIS PROGRAM TO GET SKATING INTO THE SCHOOLS, NOT TO TALK BAD ABOUT PEOPLE OR TO HAVE NEGATIVITY! Please continue to check out my Blog as it will supplement this.
I will soon have an area where we can either upload our documents or they can be sent to me and I will upload them onto the site for all to download and use. Keep the suggestions coming and I hope we see great things happen over the next weeks!
WWW.INLINERACINGINSTITUTE.COM
Edited by JoeeD 2008-08-18 9:11 AM
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Expert
Posts: 1447
| kt'sdad - 2008-08-18 7:56 AM
You guys are correct about the college level creating a club. Also remember that with any sport at the college level the athletes must abide by NCAA rules which means any college skater can not compete as a Pro or accept sponsors/gifts. That may be a problem.
No problem for skating as a club sport, and skating isn't a NCAA sport, see page 33:.
http://www.ncaa.org/library/general/cbsa/2007-08/2007-08_cbsa.pdf
Further, what we call pro skaters really aren't pro; the amount of support they get is so little that if they quit accepting it, there'd be no real difference to their skating.
Edited by Jim White 2008-08-18 9:08 AM
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Veteran
Posts: 170
Location: Monroe, NC | Jim White - 2008-08-18 9:02 AM
No problem for skating as a club sport, and skating isn't a NCAA sport, see page 33:.
http://www.ncaa.org/library/general/cbsa/2007-08/2007-08_cbsa.pdf
Further, what we call pro skaters really aren't pro; the amount of support they get is so little that if they quit accepting it, there'd be no real difference to their skating.
Jim I meant to say if skating was to become a collegiate sport they would have to follow NCAA guidelines and as strict as they are any little gift once they become a collegiant athelete would hurt their eligibility. We hear of football players getting in trouble for accepting suits to wear from agents and I would think that would be a close comparison. I don't believe any sponsorship before college would hurt them but we need to be sure that the World Team members are not effected by the NCAA limitations. Furthermore we need the sponsors involvement in this sport so the two must coexist and possibly come together as some sponsors do for school teams. Maybe the sponsors would be the ones to get involved in this quest. The reason I am referring to college and not Jr and Sr High School level is because I believe they wouldn't consider a sport unless it is recognized as a collegiant sport first. Also there seems to be more red tape to get through at that level vs. college level. |
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Orlando, Florida | Actually, I know of a school here in the Orlando area that actually already has an Inline Skating program in their PE classes. They have a large stock of skates for the students to use and the program worked well. They skated indoor in the Gym.
I think that any school would welcome the program if it is organized and the students there show interest. Maybe this will work the opposite and then attract the college level people.. Just Food for thought.. Check out the website I have set up at www.inlineracinginstitute.com and be sure to sign the guest book!
thanks
joe |
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Expert
Posts: 1447
| I commented on pros and NCAA eligibility so today's skaters wouldn't worry about accepting sponsorship. As Jamie said, sponsorship today will not hurt anyone when skating becomes a NCAA sport in the future.
Skating in PE classes is fairly common in USA. Rollerblade has a major program to support this. There are (or have been) companies whose whole existance is to rent skates to PE classes. Thhis is something anyone can work on with their local school.
Edited by Jim White 2008-08-18 10:59 AM
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Veteran
Posts: 185
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska | Remember all questions and comments are positive here.... (even though they may seem negetive.... they need an answer in order to move in the right direction)
Are we talking Banked Track - 200m, Indoor Track - 100m, or Both? What are we talking about here?
This subject comes up every 2 or 4 years.... we always talk about banding together to build/grow the sport and get it into the Olymics, right? Have we gotten anywhere? Maybe a tad, but not much. I think it boils down to facilities and equipment costs, and people putting their volunteer hand where there mouth is.
(I hope I don't ramble or bounce around to much here)
I always like the comments about once we get into the Olymics, people will come out of the woodwork wanting to start skating (I can't wait to see the increase in female wrestling... don't get me started). Seriously, how many people have been approached while skating outside and had someone say, "I want to do that"? For me, never! I always catch people looking at me (with amazment in their eyes - I might add), but they never approach me to ask questions (maybe they just can't catch me - LOL). Now, what if they do catch you and ask questions? One of them is, "How much do those skates cost"? You know where this leads.... once they hear how much... you never see them again. Now I know there are a few that bite.... otherwise most of us wouldn't be here, right? We as the consumers of this sport can't control the prices.... so we might as well for get about doing anything about that. How 'bout facilities? How many 200m banked tracks are there in the US? I think what needs to happen is a national effort to approach city govenment - parks and rec - about building facilities to promote fitness and competition. Most already own crap loads of land, they just need some funding and a plan. They don't need to be multi-million dollar facilities with bleachers and lights... start small and add on. I think we need to start here and then work on developing High School/College programs.
Also, we need to talk to our brothers and sisters in other countries.... they're going to get this sport into the Olympics before the US does. But once they do... boy do we have a team!
Thoughts? |
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Expert
Posts: 1447
| IMO, if speedskating gets into Olympics soon, it will be via FIRS/CIC, and via their world championship skating, track/road. Some people think track is more likely to be the main show, partly because it seems more TV-friendly.
Lack of USA banked tracks isn't a big deal. The USA has had some of the world's best skaters, and none of them have has banked tracks as their primary learning venue. Rinks, flat tracks, and parking lots are plentiful here, and work super for training.
Equipment: There's plenty of USA skaters, including some national champions, who haven't paid more for equipment than a few hours of work (neither the skaters nor their parents, and I'm not talking about skaters who are sponsored because of skating well). True, they generally don't have custom boots, nor new wheels very often; such supported skaters connect with other people, rather than just skating, but they do get to skate plenty. If someone really wants to skate, wants to enough that they'll do what it takes to get to an Olympic level, money for their equipment isn't real barrier.
NEFlyer - 2008-08-18 12:17 PM I think it boils down to...people putting their volunteer hand where there mouth is. Thoughts?
That's it!
Edited by Jim White 2008-08-18 1:17 PM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 736
Location: Orlando, Florida | Thanks Jim for the positive thoughts, Kevin, I am trying to figure out your positive angle, because I sense some negativity about people wanting to do this. I do get out a lot and I do get questions from people that want to learn to skate this way. Thus the reason for the "Rec to Racing Clinics" that I put on, that is now being taken over by a partner I have in this, Jorge Botero, who will only make it more grandeoso I can assure you. WE are planning several clinics in the upcoming months designed to bring new skaters around and make them racers as well as help current skaters to perfect themselves, all part of a bigger picture. Of course facilities do cause a concern but there are more hurdles to overcome than the facilities problem. The beauty of outdoor is that you can practice in many different venues and still bring it together for the tracks as we need. I believe that the USA will be a major factor in getting into the Olympics, but as Jim stated, it has to do with FIRS/CIC working with the IOC. If you want to look at a program that is absolutely insane, take a look at the programs in Colombia! Over 2000 athletes practice skating each day!I am sure that with out knowledge and abilities we can mimic this if we just put forth the effort, and I can assure you that most of those people can not afford anything let alone buying new boots, frames and wheels each couple months or so..
Keep pushing, things will come to us.. |
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H.N.I.C.
Posts: 2356
| Without reading through all the blah blah blah............here is another way to bring up numbers as a couple of you have hinted on........just have to get them to the rinks now!
http://www.skatetime.com/franchise/confirm_packet_wisconsin.pdf |
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Veteran
Posts: 185
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska | Kevin, I am trying to figure out your positive angle, because I sense some negativity about people wanting to do this.
I knew this would happen.... OK.... let me give an example.... when coaching or being coached, sometimes it can get a little nasty (negative) to get positive results. What I was trying to do was point out what I feel are some of the negative issues that we need to overcome to make this a positive thing. My negetive comments were only made because I've heard this all before.... and when people say "Let's do something".... everybody says "Yeah, let do something", then somebody takes the ball and starts to do some grassroots work.... and all the sudden, nobody is there to help.... no volunteers.... only questions about.... "what's being done" or "didn't somebody put something together... what happened to them". I've been there. I've voluteered to the extent that I could, but it seemed like all the effort was put toward getting more help.... and then it just fizzles out.
I wish everyone all the best in the World with their endevors and committment to the sport and growing it. I only hope for the best.
Also, Forget my comments about being approached while skating.... maybe I'm in the minority on that issue. I was talking to a friend about this last night and one comment he made was that when he tells his friends about speed skating, he typically gets the "Oh I can't do that" or "I can't skate" response.... good point.... that's what I hear too.... This kind of brings me back to the facilities issue. Rinks are built for session skating. Poeple go there for one reason... to roller skate. If the rink supports a speed, artistic, or hockey team and actually makes announcement during sessions... then there's another reason to come to the rink... but if you never go to the rink in the first place, you don't know what going on INSIDE. If we had more low budget banked tracks around... in city parks... were they are visible and being used by organized skaters, bikers, RC enthusiests, etc.... I think we might see some growth and spill-over into marathon and indoor.
If you want to look at a program that is absolutely insane, take a look at the programs in Colombia! Over 2000 athletes practice skating each day!I am sure that with out knowledge and abilities we can mimic this if we just put forth the effort, and I can assure you that most of those people can not afford anything let alone buying new boots, frames and wheels each couple months or so..
We need to find out how they do it.... I know most of us sit here shaking our heads in wonder of it. From what I hear.... there's a lot of banked tracks in Columbia.
Thanks for reading, and beleive me.... I AM POSITIVE! |
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INLINE SPEED IN THE 2012 OLYMPICS
