scrunners: How and when did you first start to get involved with track and field/cross country?
beesley: My son Trevor has ran under USATF since we moved to the United States in 1995. We got started in track & field in Alabama when the P.E. teacher commented what a good runner he was during the Governor's Test in P.E. class. She had a coach from Auburn University come to see him and talk with us about his talent. I would always help with the various teams that he was a member of.
scrunners: When did you join the USATF organization?
beesley: I officially took a position five years ago. Rod Cowan, Richard Kerns and Sam Kennedy of Quick Striders asked me to take on the position of youth chair. Trevor ran with Quick Striders since we moved to South Carolina and I would also help the team as much as I could.
scrunners: When is your official retirement date?
beesley: It will be at the annual meeting in August 2008.
scrunners: How did you come about this decision to retire?
beesley: I knew when I took on another two years as youth chair in 2006 that I would. Contrary to what many think - not one person gets paid for any position in the associations of USATF. I have had to use vacation time in order to plan and run the various events. This was not a major issue when Trevor was a youth athlete as I would be going to attend with him anyway. Now that he is in college that is not the case. I use a week of my two week vacation time each year and have found that this does not give you much time to enjoy your work hours when you cannot take your vacation for actual vacation purposes. I guess as I get older I realize more that time cannot be given back to you. Now if I worked for an employer that gave you time off to do community/volunteer events this would not be an issue but that is not the case. There are actually some companies that even pay you while you do these events. Unfortunately my employer is not one of them.
scrunners: If you have told anyone about this retirement, what and who was this initial reaction?
beesley: Several clubs have asked me to stay on. Others understand the burn out that I am feeling and all have thanked me and wish me well.
scrunners: Along with youth chair, what other roles do you have in the South Carolina association?
beesley: I am also treasurer and often fill in as secretary at meetings.
scrunners: Upon finding out about Kwabene Brown, how did the USATF decide to ask for donations for the Brown family?
beesley: Richard Kerns has stayed in contact each week with me on how KB has been doing. He mentioned that he was giving KB's wife something. I mentioned it to the President, Jimmy Stephens and we decided that USATF SC should try to do something as a track & field community. KB and the other Quick Striders coaches are very dear to Trevor and I as they have been an extended family to us through various events in our lives here in South Carolina.
scrunners: How have you seen the track and field community come together during this time for the Brown family?
beesley: Yes, most definitely. Everyone is concerned and trying to help however they can. The Quick Strider team will also be wearing wristbands in one of KB's favorite colors (Clemson colors) at the regional meet. I had to call and get this approved by the region chair. KB's wife knows that we are all praying and rooting for a quick recovery.
scrunners: Please explain how your role in USATF has progressed.
beesley: I started out blind I guess you could say. I knew how to staff a meet properly to make it run smooth, etc but. never been the person doing all that and all the paperwork that is also involved. Inez Finch, the past region 3 youth chair and Henry McCallum the present region 3 youth chair have been a tremendous help. They also are retiring next year by the way. Ginny Cole helped me understanding the declaring paperwork the first year. I have been blessed with a great core of workers that come back and help me each year and all of them have children who are now in college as well. The first meet was at Clemson with all of 200 athletes and about four teams. This year's meet we had over 600 and close to 12 teams. Next year will be even bigger with regionals being help in S.C. This is probably the thing that I take the greatest pride in - is seeing the numbers grow. We are also getting more athletes in the older age divisions coming out. I love when I go to collegiate meets and athletes I knew from even Alabama recognize me and stop to talk to me. I am always proud of the fact that these athletes are at school because of their athletic talents and that USATF has aided in them being noticed for this. If you are interested in track & field or cross country, believe me - the scouts are at regionals and nationals. You do not have to be even a national caliber athlete and they will be watching for you. The second year I also had to plan regionals. Karen Stone and I did all the work for this. Talk about major stress! USATF S.C. was having financial difficulties with the current treasurer that year and I had to finance most of his meet out of my own pocket and reimburse myself after the meet. Each year as we made money on the meets we would purchase articles to make the next meet better. We would also note at each meet different areas that needed improvement to run smoother. You also learn what officials and volunteers to call upon and know that the job would get done. Everything is trial and error until you get it down pat.
scrunners: Where is the farthest you have traveled for a meet and what did you do at this meet?
beesley: Let's see - been to Mexico, Oregon, Buffalo, Nebraska - many others that we did the marathon drive to with a van load of athletes. Trevor and I would always take other athletes with us and the Koziels and Usery's would usually team up with us and we would do some touristy stuff with the kids. New Mexico - Heather and JC Koziel and Trevor still talk about the bumper cars there. Oregon - went to the Prefontaine Rock and Trevor and Stephen Usery left something there and had their pictures taken. You know you usually have very little time to do anything but go to the track and find somewhere to eat and rest the athletes for the next day. Really isn't glamorous when you think about it - but still fun. Had some very adventurous van trips - bad weather conditions to drive through and the kids would take turns staying up to make sure the driver - alisa me - was doing ok. Remember one year the ice was so bad on the roads that they had shut a bridge down and were letting cars go one by one across - the boys all jumped out and were sliding all over the ice and having snowball fights. It's funny - but the kids will tell you the funniest things that they remember about the meets - usually does not have anything to do with where they placed on the podium or is they did at all. That is really what is it all about - the athletes - that I do this.
scrunners: Who have you met over the years being involved with the sport?
beesley: I would have to say that my "track" friends are some of my nearest and dearest friends and always will be. I am not one to be impressed by people's stature in society. I think we are all put on this earth to make it a better place for all in whatever form we can and are able to do. In that capacity I can say that I have met many wonderful people as not one of the officials/volunteers or executive does any of this for personal profit and let's face it - you usually do not even get a thank you from people in attendance - the athletes, coaches or parents - you do it because you love the sport and for me as well because I really believe in what the sport can give the athletes.
scrunners: At the conclusion of a meet, and seeing several athletes of all ages competing, how do you feel following the meet(s)?
beesley: Exhausted!!! But very proud of the fact that the group of us have pulled off another meet. Very proud of the coaches and their hard work, proud of the athletes who came and participated - whether they medal or not - their dedication is wonderful. I feel that this program is a great feeder program for the high school program. It is a great program to highlight the athlete's and aid them in future endeavors scholastically.
scrunners: When organizing track and field/cross country meets in the state, how do you go about looking for meet officials and volunteers?
beesley: For officials I contact the officials chair and get a listing of all current officials in the state. I send a letter out in January asking if officials would like to work and in what event. I also have a group of officials that have worked our meets each and every year that I can usually count on. The volunteers, well that is always a problem. The past two years I have told clubs what area they had to man and for what times. This does not always work as many clubs cannot get parents to volunteer and at times parents that say they will work never show up. I am a firm believer in being part of the solution not the problem and get very discouraged when I hear people on a fence complaining about how long it's taking to do something yet they could not so much as volunteer two hours out of their weekend to assist somewhere. Let's face it - you do not have to be an Einstein to put a bar back up, retrieve a shot/disc, rake a pit - but these things are essential to make a meet run smoothly. You also have the best seat in the house at the meet - right on the infield! It also makes you feel better that you are doing something to help at the meet. You should always try to give back to the sport in anyway that you can. I also contact local schools in the area to see if there ROTC program would be interested and other organizations in the area. In the days when this country was not at war you could get an awesome crew of people from the National Guard and they would love to be out there helping.
scrunners: How is the feedback in the community to helping with these events?
beesley: The community - afterwards loves that we are there. Are you kidding - these meets bring income to the area. Exposure to their communities, malls, businesses, restaurants, etc. We always make it a point to try to leave the facility that we host our meet as clean as when we arrive. It is very difficult to obtain facilities that will let us have these events. We always recognize our sponsors with banners at the events and give them appreciation plaques to post in their businesses. They come and see how hard the group of us work to put the event on and appreciate our hard work that we do for the athletes. Some communities have started up clubs after they see our event as they see it is a great athletic event for young kids.
scrunners: What do you see happening in the future to help with meet and event management?
beesley: I would like to say more parental involvement but time will tell on that. Hard to get volunteers in anything these days. I think that the meets will probably have to up fees at the gate and entry level as meet management is going to have to start paying for the services of all meet personnel. Hate to say this but I do see this coming. Every association will tell you they have the same problem - it is not just ours. I think that it will become more electronic - all officials will key in results, clerking will be done online, etc. This is done at major events but not the association level right now.
scrunners: What has been your biggest challenge(s)?
beesley: Trying to get people involved and help at the meets so that we can stay on schedule and the volunteers that are there are not overworked and will not volunteer again. The first year also the challenge was funding everything - I had to do this out of my own pocket until we made enough money to reimburse me.
scrunners: Do you have a special moment(s) in the sports that you will never forget?
beesley: The little moments I spoke about above. When a college athlete makes a point of giving me a hug and telling me hello - when a sub bantam athlete gives me a hug and says thank you for helping him with something. Those crazy van trips, seeing my son and other S.C. athletes on the podium at nationals. Watching my son and my dear track friends each year help me put on the various events and teasing me at the end of the meets on my "wig out" sessions. I was very touched one year when during the association meet they called me onto the track to present with a check and framed certificate from all the teams thanking me for my hard work.
scrunners: Please tell us a little about where all the track and field/cross country needed supplies is stored throughout the year and why?
beesley: Well up until this summer it was my two car garage! We now rent a 10 x 10 storage facility around the corner from my house so that I can use the garage in some form again - it still has some in it. Although the extra pole vault and high jump bars that we have to have do not fit in the storage unit so right now they are on my porch until Trevor and David figure out how to hang them in the garage! Each and every closet has something that is track related as well in it. You have to have three of each implement for every event to host regionals, extra bars, etc. You need the water containers, We have acquired some tables, tents, flags, etc. Basically everything you need to run the meet. The office supplies, implement scale, left over USATF sale items, and so on. Each year you think of something you need to make the meet better the next year or certain things need to be replaced - e.g. implements are light and need to be replaced, tents need to be replaced. When you add up what you pay in rental for a lot of things - it is cheaper to start to buy them and have them for yourself.
scrunners: Is there a specific time of year that you spend more time than normal on track and field related responsibilities?
beesley: March through July is the worst. March is the youth chair meeting and things start rolling there. Hopefully before the previous year you have decided where you will host the event and you get going on the hotels and trying to acquire sponsors, etc. January you have to start recruiting officials. Once the youth chair meeting is over you must report back to the clubs and get them rolling on renewing their clubs and athletes and passing on all information that they require. As soon as the entry forms are issued from the national office you get them copied with your meet information and get rolling handing these out. T-shirts need to be ordered for volunteers, officials, and for sale. May is a killer. The entries are due in May and that is many hours of work verifying the dates of birth, entering them in the computer, e-mailing and calling clubs with problems and getting the entries all correct for the timer so that there are no changes needed at all the day of the meet. Before the meet you have to organize food and drink for the volunteers and officials, book the official rooms, organize the volunteers and officials, have done an inventory of everything you can possibly think of that you may need for all types of weather and purchase it or organize the containers to take to the meet. We rent a truck and pick it up Thursday night and load it up - Friday we are at the meet site by 7 a.m. and start setting up all the tents and differents area. We are still doing this while the javelin begins at 2 p.m. and do not finish up until 12 hours later. Then each day of the meet the core group of us is at the track by 6 a.m. to get all ready and we are the last to leave - usually again 12 hours or more later. Monday after the meet you have to unload the truck - as you are too tired Sunday to do it by the time you take down the meet and get home. Then the paperwork starts. As Youth Chair you have to go through all the declarations and make sure you are taking 5 athletes in every event that you can. This means calls and e-mails to coaches and unattached athletes to see if they want to be bumped up and go to regionals. You have to get all the paperwork done and then sit at the computer again and have the regional athletes sent on in Hytek to the hosting regional association by a certain deadline and send the entry forms and check - all entry forms and they box they are sent in have to be in a certain order so that every youth chair at the regional meet can work from anyone's association box as we have set up and filed everything the same way. As youth chair you must attend the regional meet or send a delegate in your place. I have only missed one cross country event to date. You are required to work in declarations and assist in any other way that you have to. You are at the track at six in the morning and again - the last one out the gate at night.
When regionals are over I feel I can breathe a bit. Then I start on cross country which is so much easier. One day to set up before the meet required. The day of the meet you are usually home by dinner time and the paperwork on it is much simpler - only 12 races. Once Trevor went to college and was not competing in USATF JO's I did not attend nationals anymore. While at nationals though I would finally get to sit back and watch a meet. They are very staffed at these things but if I was called upon I would pitch in.
scrunners: Do you see yourself still being involved with meets in a less time-consuming position?
beesley: Yes, I will officiate or possibly help coach with a local club. I also think there needs to be a push to educate and recruit officials in the sport. I may dedicate some time to this.
scrunners: What do you think you will miss the most?
beesley: Perhaps that feeling of accomplishment after all is done but I sure am going to enjoy my vacation hours back!
scrunners: Any future plans with some free time away from the sports?
beesley: Visit my family in Canada and my boyfriend's family in Chicago. Do those good old "get around to it" jobs like paint the window frames and porch railing. I would like to do some hiking and try white water rafting, see the new Atlanta Aquarium. Things like that. I will always be involved in the sport in some form, as my good friend Jimmy Stephens says "It gets in your blood."
beesley: My son Trevor has ran under USATF since we moved to the United States in 1995. We got started in track & field in Alabama when the P.E. teacher commented what a good runner he was during the Governor's Test in P.E. class. She had a coach from Auburn University come to see him and talk with us about his talent. I would always help with the various teams that he was a member of.
scrunners: When did you join the USATF organization?
beesley: I officially took a position five years ago. Rod Cowan, Richard Kerns and Sam Kennedy of Quick Striders asked me to take on the position of youth chair. Trevor ran with Quick Striders since we moved to South Carolina and I would also help the team as much as I could.
scrunners: When is your official retirement date?
beesley: It will be at the annual meeting in August 2008.
scrunners: How did you come about this decision to retire?
beesley: I knew when I took on another two years as youth chair in 2006 that I would. Contrary to what many think - not one person gets paid for any position in the associations of USATF. I have had to use vacation time in order to plan and run the various events. This was not a major issue when Trevor was a youth athlete as I would be going to attend with him anyway. Now that he is in college that is not the case. I use a week of my two week vacation time each year and have found that this does not give you much time to enjoy your work hours when you cannot take your vacation for actual vacation purposes. I guess as I get older I realize more that time cannot be given back to you. Now if I worked for an employer that gave you time off to do community/volunteer events this would not be an issue but that is not the case. There are actually some companies that even pay you while you do these events. Unfortunately my employer is not one of them.
scrunners: If you have told anyone about this retirement, what and who was this initial reaction?
beesley: Several clubs have asked me to stay on. Others understand the burn out that I am feeling and all have thanked me and wish me well.
scrunners: Along with youth chair, what other roles do you have in the South Carolina association?
beesley: I am also treasurer and often fill in as secretary at meetings.
scrunners: Upon finding out about Kwabene Brown, how did the USATF decide to ask for donations for the Brown family?
beesley: Richard Kerns has stayed in contact each week with me on how KB has been doing. He mentioned that he was giving KB's wife something. I mentioned it to the President, Jimmy Stephens and we decided that USATF SC should try to do something as a track & field community. KB and the other Quick Striders coaches are very dear to Trevor and I as they have been an extended family to us through various events in our lives here in South Carolina.
scrunners: How have you seen the track and field community come together during this time for the Brown family?
beesley: Yes, most definitely. Everyone is concerned and trying to help however they can. The Quick Strider team will also be wearing wristbands in one of KB's favorite colors (Clemson colors) at the regional meet. I had to call and get this approved by the region chair. KB's wife knows that we are all praying and rooting for a quick recovery.
scrunners: Please explain how your role in USATF has progressed.
beesley: I started out blind I guess you could say. I knew how to staff a meet properly to make it run smooth, etc but. never been the person doing all that and all the paperwork that is also involved. Inez Finch, the past region 3 youth chair and Henry McCallum the present region 3 youth chair have been a tremendous help. They also are retiring next year by the way. Ginny Cole helped me understanding the declaring paperwork the first year. I have been blessed with a great core of workers that come back and help me each year and all of them have children who are now in college as well. The first meet was at Clemson with all of 200 athletes and about four teams. This year's meet we had over 600 and close to 12 teams. Next year will be even bigger with regionals being help in S.C. This is probably the thing that I take the greatest pride in - is seeing the numbers grow. We are also getting more athletes in the older age divisions coming out. I love when I go to collegiate meets and athletes I knew from even Alabama recognize me and stop to talk to me. I am always proud of the fact that these athletes are at school because of their athletic talents and that USATF has aided in them being noticed for this. If you are interested in track & field or cross country, believe me - the scouts are at regionals and nationals. You do not have to be even a national caliber athlete and they will be watching for you. The second year I also had to plan regionals. Karen Stone and I did all the work for this. Talk about major stress! USATF S.C. was having financial difficulties with the current treasurer that year and I had to finance most of his meet out of my own pocket and reimburse myself after the meet. Each year as we made money on the meets we would purchase articles to make the next meet better. We would also note at each meet different areas that needed improvement to run smoother. You also learn what officials and volunteers to call upon and know that the job would get done. Everything is trial and error until you get it down pat.
scrunners: Where is the farthest you have traveled for a meet and what did you do at this meet?
beesley: Let's see - been to Mexico, Oregon, Buffalo, Nebraska - many others that we did the marathon drive to with a van load of athletes. Trevor and I would always take other athletes with us and the Koziels and Usery's would usually team up with us and we would do some touristy stuff with the kids. New Mexico - Heather and JC Koziel and Trevor still talk about the bumper cars there. Oregon - went to the Prefontaine Rock and Trevor and Stephen Usery left something there and had their pictures taken. You know you usually have very little time to do anything but go to the track and find somewhere to eat and rest the athletes for the next day. Really isn't glamorous when you think about it - but still fun. Had some very adventurous van trips - bad weather conditions to drive through and the kids would take turns staying up to make sure the driver - alisa me - was doing ok. Remember one year the ice was so bad on the roads that they had shut a bridge down and were letting cars go one by one across - the boys all jumped out and were sliding all over the ice and having snowball fights. It's funny - but the kids will tell you the funniest things that they remember about the meets - usually does not have anything to do with where they placed on the podium or is they did at all. That is really what is it all about - the athletes - that I do this.
scrunners: Who have you met over the years being involved with the sport?
beesley: I would have to say that my "track" friends are some of my nearest and dearest friends and always will be. I am not one to be impressed by people's stature in society. I think we are all put on this earth to make it a better place for all in whatever form we can and are able to do. In that capacity I can say that I have met many wonderful people as not one of the officials/volunteers or executive does any of this for personal profit and let's face it - you usually do not even get a thank you from people in attendance - the athletes, coaches or parents - you do it because you love the sport and for me as well because I really believe in what the sport can give the athletes.
scrunners: At the conclusion of a meet, and seeing several athletes of all ages competing, how do you feel following the meet(s)?
beesley: Exhausted!!! But very proud of the fact that the group of us have pulled off another meet. Very proud of the coaches and their hard work, proud of the athletes who came and participated - whether they medal or not - their dedication is wonderful. I feel that this program is a great feeder program for the high school program. It is a great program to highlight the athlete's and aid them in future endeavors scholastically.
scrunners: When organizing track and field/cross country meets in the state, how do you go about looking for meet officials and volunteers?
beesley: For officials I contact the officials chair and get a listing of all current officials in the state. I send a letter out in January asking if officials would like to work and in what event. I also have a group of officials that have worked our meets each and every year that I can usually count on. The volunteers, well that is always a problem. The past two years I have told clubs what area they had to man and for what times. This does not always work as many clubs cannot get parents to volunteer and at times parents that say they will work never show up. I am a firm believer in being part of the solution not the problem and get very discouraged when I hear people on a fence complaining about how long it's taking to do something yet they could not so much as volunteer two hours out of their weekend to assist somewhere. Let's face it - you do not have to be an Einstein to put a bar back up, retrieve a shot/disc, rake a pit - but these things are essential to make a meet run smoothly. You also have the best seat in the house at the meet - right on the infield! It also makes you feel better that you are doing something to help at the meet. You should always try to give back to the sport in anyway that you can. I also contact local schools in the area to see if there ROTC program would be interested and other organizations in the area. In the days when this country was not at war you could get an awesome crew of people from the National Guard and they would love to be out there helping.
scrunners: How is the feedback in the community to helping with these events?
beesley: The community - afterwards loves that we are there. Are you kidding - these meets bring income to the area. Exposure to their communities, malls, businesses, restaurants, etc. We always make it a point to try to leave the facility that we host our meet as clean as when we arrive. It is very difficult to obtain facilities that will let us have these events. We always recognize our sponsors with banners at the events and give them appreciation plaques to post in their businesses. They come and see how hard the group of us work to put the event on and appreciate our hard work that we do for the athletes. Some communities have started up clubs after they see our event as they see it is a great athletic event for young kids.
scrunners: What do you see happening in the future to help with meet and event management?
beesley: I would like to say more parental involvement but time will tell on that. Hard to get volunteers in anything these days. I think that the meets will probably have to up fees at the gate and entry level as meet management is going to have to start paying for the services of all meet personnel. Hate to say this but I do see this coming. Every association will tell you they have the same problem - it is not just ours. I think that it will become more electronic - all officials will key in results, clerking will be done online, etc. This is done at major events but not the association level right now.
scrunners: What has been your biggest challenge(s)?
beesley: Trying to get people involved and help at the meets so that we can stay on schedule and the volunteers that are there are not overworked and will not volunteer again. The first year also the challenge was funding everything - I had to do this out of my own pocket until we made enough money to reimburse me.
scrunners: Do you have a special moment(s) in the sports that you will never forget?
beesley: The little moments I spoke about above. When a college athlete makes a point of giving me a hug and telling me hello - when a sub bantam athlete gives me a hug and says thank you for helping him with something. Those crazy van trips, seeing my son and other S.C. athletes on the podium at nationals. Watching my son and my dear track friends each year help me put on the various events and teasing me at the end of the meets on my "wig out" sessions. I was very touched one year when during the association meet they called me onto the track to present with a check and framed certificate from all the teams thanking me for my hard work.
scrunners: Please tell us a little about where all the track and field/cross country needed supplies is stored throughout the year and why?
beesley: Well up until this summer it was my two car garage! We now rent a 10 x 10 storage facility around the corner from my house so that I can use the garage in some form again - it still has some in it. Although the extra pole vault and high jump bars that we have to have do not fit in the storage unit so right now they are on my porch until Trevor and David figure out how to hang them in the garage! Each and every closet has something that is track related as well in it. You have to have three of each implement for every event to host regionals, extra bars, etc. You need the water containers, We have acquired some tables, tents, flags, etc. Basically everything you need to run the meet. The office supplies, implement scale, left over USATF sale items, and so on. Each year you think of something you need to make the meet better the next year or certain things need to be replaced - e.g. implements are light and need to be replaced, tents need to be replaced. When you add up what you pay in rental for a lot of things - it is cheaper to start to buy them and have them for yourself.
scrunners: Is there a specific time of year that you spend more time than normal on track and field related responsibilities?
beesley: March through July is the worst. March is the youth chair meeting and things start rolling there. Hopefully before the previous year you have decided where you will host the event and you get going on the hotels and trying to acquire sponsors, etc. January you have to start recruiting officials. Once the youth chair meeting is over you must report back to the clubs and get them rolling on renewing their clubs and athletes and passing on all information that they require. As soon as the entry forms are issued from the national office you get them copied with your meet information and get rolling handing these out. T-shirts need to be ordered for volunteers, officials, and for sale. May is a killer. The entries are due in May and that is many hours of work verifying the dates of birth, entering them in the computer, e-mailing and calling clubs with problems and getting the entries all correct for the timer so that there are no changes needed at all the day of the meet. Before the meet you have to organize food and drink for the volunteers and officials, book the official rooms, organize the volunteers and officials, have done an inventory of everything you can possibly think of that you may need for all types of weather and purchase it or organize the containers to take to the meet. We rent a truck and pick it up Thursday night and load it up - Friday we are at the meet site by 7 a.m. and start setting up all the tents and differents area. We are still doing this while the javelin begins at 2 p.m. and do not finish up until 12 hours later. Then each day of the meet the core group of us is at the track by 6 a.m. to get all ready and we are the last to leave - usually again 12 hours or more later. Monday after the meet you have to unload the truck - as you are too tired Sunday to do it by the time you take down the meet and get home. Then the paperwork starts. As Youth Chair you have to go through all the declarations and make sure you are taking 5 athletes in every event that you can. This means calls and e-mails to coaches and unattached athletes to see if they want to be bumped up and go to regionals. You have to get all the paperwork done and then sit at the computer again and have the regional athletes sent on in Hytek to the hosting regional association by a certain deadline and send the entry forms and check - all entry forms and they box they are sent in have to be in a certain order so that every youth chair at the regional meet can work from anyone's association box as we have set up and filed everything the same way. As youth chair you must attend the regional meet or send a delegate in your place. I have only missed one cross country event to date. You are required to work in declarations and assist in any other way that you have to. You are at the track at six in the morning and again - the last one out the gate at night.
When regionals are over I feel I can breathe a bit. Then I start on cross country which is so much easier. One day to set up before the meet required. The day of the meet you are usually home by dinner time and the paperwork on it is much simpler - only 12 races. Once Trevor went to college and was not competing in USATF JO's I did not attend nationals anymore. While at nationals though I would finally get to sit back and watch a meet. They are very staffed at these things but if I was called upon I would pitch in.
scrunners: Do you see yourself still being involved with meets in a less time-consuming position?
beesley: Yes, I will officiate or possibly help coach with a local club. I also think there needs to be a push to educate and recruit officials in the sport. I may dedicate some time to this.
scrunners: What do you think you will miss the most?
beesley: Perhaps that feeling of accomplishment after all is done but I sure am going to enjoy my vacation hours back!
scrunners: Any future plans with some free time away from the sports?
beesley: Visit my family in Canada and my boyfriend's family in Chicago. Do those good old "get around to it" jobs like paint the window frames and porch railing. I would like to do some hiking and try white water rafting, see the new Atlanta Aquarium. Things like that. I will always be involved in the sport in some form, as my good friend Jimmy Stephens says "It gets in your blood."