Almost that time of year again! Sunday, September 16th will be our USATF Nebraska Association Annual Meeting. It will be held at Ralston High School beginning at 1:00 pm. All current USATF members are strongly encouraged to attend as this is a voting year. We’ll be electing new leadership as the President’s position, Treasurer, and LDR Chair will all be contested.
I’ll never forget my very first Nebraska Association meeting (2001), held annually each September. I swaggered into the meeting and informed the gathered leadership that there was a new game in town and its name was LDR. While Nebraska had been and is still known as a very strong Youth Association, and there is a good Officials program as well, there had never been anyone interested or passionate enough to advocate for those of us that prefer Long Distance Running. After much “debate” Coach Rubin Carter made the motion that the association accept and adopt my proposal, seconded by then President Frosty Anderson. $2000 was approved to match the $2000 I had received from the National Office, and we were off and running as it were.
Now here we are 11 years later. I’ve formed deep friendships with my colleagues, my work has been diligent and from the heart, and has hopefully gained the respect of my peers. One of the hallmarks of my time has been an up front, face to face, communication style. No whispers behind doors or backs. Transparency through and through.
As I have stated previously in this column, I am stepping down as LDR Chair. Contrary to a silly rumor circulating this morning, I am not seeking, nor will I accept, nomination for the position of USATF Nebraska Asscociation President. At least two solid candidates, Sara Domeier and Bill Scarborough will be offered on that slate. Lincoln Running Company Racing’s Logan Watley is seeking the Treasurer’s position. Any of them will make a fine addition to the association’s leadership team.
Team Nebraska is offering up a candidate for the LDR Chair position however:
Matt Pohren has been an integral part of Team Nebraska and USATF for the last 5 years. He has competed in the last 5 Club National Championships (this year’s champ in the Steeplechase), was our team captain at last year’s Club Cross Country National Championships and served on the Games Committee for this year’s Club T&F Champs in Omaha. Through his work with Andy Martin (Member Services Coordinator at the National Office in Indy), Bill Roe (former USATF President and founder of the Elite Development Club Council), and Devon Martin (Chair, Elite Development Club Council) he has a deep understanding of USATF and LDR. This valuable experience should be considered when deciding the direction and future of your LDR program. I’m well within my prerogative to give backing to someone that has demonstrated support and intellect of LDR, its programs, and its services. Please weigh the knowledge, experience, and intent of each candidate when casting your ballot on the 16th.
Matt is graduate of Northwest Missouri State, teaches at Omaha Central, has been assistant coach at Creighton University, and aspires to an Athletic Director position in the future. We hope you will give him fair and strong consideration for the position.
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