USAT AAC

Hi Alison,

I'd also disagree with the resolution. I don't think offering a small amount of cash for amateurs has any bearing on elites.

Thanks!

Todd

---- Alison Hankins <alisonaac@yahoo.com> wrote:
> As always, thanks to everyone for your feedback on the e-lite beat.
>
> I want to clear up a few things- first, this is a DRAFT of a
> resolution that the AAC (your elite athlete reps) wrote and are
> CONSIDERING presenting to the Board. We are presenting it to you first
> for input before we submit it. And, based on the strong feedback we've
> received so far, we may not move forward.
>
> Further, in response to Susie's comment about resolutions being due,
> please see the email pasted below from the Board President- sent
> Sunday- which states resolutions are due by 9/28.
>
> Please remember that the AAC is the group that presented this. It's
> not an outside group trying to push something through. Through our
> discussions we had the impression that this was a move elites wanted
> us to make. We're actually surprised to hear that elites don't mind
> amateur prize purses.
>
> Please keep the feedback coming- we're listening!
> Alison & The AAC
>
> ----- Forwarded Message ----
> From: Rob Kasper <robkasper@bellsouth.net>
> To: Alison DeWall <AlisonAAC@yahoo.com>
> Sent: Sunday, September 23, 2007 12:47:48 PM
> Subject: October Board Meeting
>
> Committee Chairs,
>
>
> ...."Please forward proposed resolutions and agenda items to your
> Board Liaisons so that they can send them to me, copied to Sharon no
> later than September 28."
>
>
>
> Rob Kasper
> Email: robkasper@bellsouth.net
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --- In e-litebeat@yahoogroups.com, susiequsmc@... wrote:
>
> > Ditto on Judy's comments. Regarding "AAC just found out the
> resolution is
> > due tomorrow...:" Resolutions are not "due." Whomever is pushing
> for this
> > appears to want to slam dunk it without input from the
> constituency. Just
> > another case of board members abusing their position. Leave the
> issue alone and
> > let the membership provide input before trying to slam this
> through. Address
> > it now and propose a resolution (if necessary) in the spring board
> meeting.
> >
> > And on the subject matter...if a top amateur who works full time can
> make a
> > hundred bucks to help offset some of his or her training costs -
> great! What
> > a great transition to turning pro, if he or she so decides.
> >
> > Susie Gallucci
> >
> >
> > In a message dated 9/28/2007 9:17:57 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> > judymcsweeney@... writes:
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > i dont agree with the change.
> > 1. you are asking professional athletes to make a decision that
> directly
> > and significantly effects amateurs. they deserve a voice in this
> > 2. if an amateur is talented enough to place in the money, they
> deserve it.
> >
> > 3. the pro qual and requal for long distance racing is still
> unsatisfactory
> > and needs to be revised.
> > 4. ref #3-- you have limited many talented athletes who would be
> racing
> > pro to race amateur--- most likely scenario is that they will be
> some of the
> > amateurs placing high...
> > 5. i think it is wrong that you sent this email across with no
> respone
> > time.
> > 6. i think the race directors should have the freedom to offer a
> modest
> > purse to all partcipants to attract athletes.
> > 7. if someone is racing professional then they should not be
> intimidated by
> > amateurs. step up and race well..place and it would not be an issue.
> > judy
> >
> >
> > ____________________________________
> > To: e-litebeat@yahoogro T
> > From: alisonaac@...
> > Date: Thu, 27 Sep 2007 20:30:00 +0000
> > Subject: [e-litebeat] Resolution on prize money for amateurs
> >
> >
> >
> > All-
> > The AAC just found out that our resolution regarding prize money for
> > amateurs is due tomorrow! So, this doesn't leave much time, but please
> > let us know ASAP if you have any support to help us add to the
> > following resolution draft. Please let us know if you have any other
> > reasons why this is important? Do any of you NOT agree with this
> change?
> > Thanks,
> > Alison & the Athletes Advisory Council
> >
> > ---------
> > Resolution for Board Action
> > Subject: Prize Purse Limits
> >
> > Background: At events with $5,000+ in cash prize money, USA
> > Triathlon's rules limit the elite division to athletes holding a USAT
> > elite license or an elite license from an ITU member federation. Races
> > with $5,000+ cash prize purses also require compliance with USAT elite
> > competition rules. In races with $4,999 and below, amateur athletes
> > are allowed to race along with elites for the prize purse.
> >
> > Elite athletes compete in triathlon as a means to make a living,
> > traveling nationally and internationally to races with prize purses.
> > Allotting a portion of a prize money purse to amateurs degrades from
> > the growth of elite triathlon and the number of athletes who will
> > pursue elite racing in the U.S.
> >
> > Further, the purpose of amateur sports should not be for financial
> > gain. Offering prize money to amateurs sends the wrong message about
> > the purpose of amateur sport.
> >
> > Further, race directors state that offering prize money for amateurs
> > helps draw participants to the field. However, the number of amateur
> > athletes who will plan and adjust racing schedules according to prize
> > money purses below $5,000 is minimal. Race directors have the
> > opportunity to offer value-in-kind (VIK) prizes to amateurs, but money
> > should not be a driver for amateur competition.
> >
> > This resolution seeks to change the prize money limit from $4,999 to
> > $0 for amateur athletes.
> >
> > Financial Impact: None.
> >
> > Relevant & Affected By-Laws and Procedures:
> > USAT Competitive Rules: An event with a minimum $5000.00 prize purse
> > must limit the Elite division to athletes holding a USAT Elite License
> > or an Elite license from an ITU member federation. All prize money is
> > reserved for the Elite division.
> >
> > Whereas, the definition of "amateur" is "one who engages in a pursuit,
> > study, science, or sport as a pastime rather than as a profession"
> >
> > Whereas, elite multi-sport athletes rely on their racing careers to
> > earn a living;
> >
> > Whereas, the purpose of amateur racing should not be to earn money. If
> > an athletes is in the sport for money, they should race as an elite;
> >
> > Whereas, taking prize money and awarding it to amateurs degrades from
> > the growth of elite triathlon and the number of athletes who will
> > pursue elite racing in the U.S.
> >
> > Whereas, race directors will still have the option to offer VIK prizes
> > to amateurs;
> >
> > Now therefore be it resolved that, USAT triathlon's minimum cash prize
> > purse for elites be changed from $5,000 to $0.
> >
> > This criterion will take effect January 1, 2008.
> >
> > Submitted by:
> > Alison DeWall, Elite Athlete Advocate on behalf of the AAC
> > Joe Umphenour, USAT Board of Directors Member
> >
> http://www.aol.com
> >
>
>

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