"Why did you join the TFAA?"
Current TFAA members explain why they joined.
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“I joined the TFAA after I heard Adam and Ann passion for this association. They made me believe that as athletes we do have a voice and that we will be heard. I want to make sure that I leave this sport in better shape then it is in now and I feel that TFAA will do that. ”
“First and foremost I want to support athletes' rights. Secondly I want to stay abreast of current issues.”
“The TFAA is doing its best to organize the athletes and have our voice heard. I encourage others to check it out and consider joining. You'll be amazed at the list of names of current TFAA members. It includes multiple USA and World Champions, but it needs more members! Whether you are a world record holder or just starting to make a name for yourself in T&F please check them out!”
“I want to support the TFAA because they are looking out for the interests of the athletes.”
“I am joining to start in the movement and get my voice heard about how to make our sport better.”
“To support our great athletes as they represent our great nation.”
“When the athletes are heard, then the track and field market will grow. I care too much about the sport to let it dwindle away.”
“I want to help TFAA have more power and authority when dealing with USATF and IAAF.”
“As a competitive runner, I love track and field and want to support the incredible athletes who are striving to move the sport forward. ”
“I have been in the marketing/advertising industry for 25 years and am joining to provide support and ideas from the marketing perspective (including social media) that will help TFAA to coalesce and move their agenda forward. I am saddened by the continued deterioration of the sport's visibility in our country and will help when asked to do what it takes to change this situation.”
“I believe the TFAA can create a collective voice for athletes' issues which will create an increased level of professionalism in Track and Field. ”
“As the first professional female runner 1981, banned immediately and reinstated 18 months later I have had a frustrating 30 years watching our sport go nowhere compared to all other sports who all at some point turned pro. It seems we as a sport turned Pro and went backwards. No cohesion, and the shoe companies ran away with profits. It is TIME!”
“Just as the women running pioneers of the '70s and '80s did for my generation, I want to help track & field continue to positively evolve to suit the needs of those who will compete long after I hang up my racing spikes. I joined the TFAA because I feel there is strength in creating a space for athletes' collective voice.”
“I love track and field and see that the leadership that our sport has is terribly inadequate. From the bottom of the sport, youth track (where a lot of my attention is because these kids are our future) I see USATF basically under valuing their potential and importance to the future success of the sport. This is a pattern that continues up the chain to the Elite Athlete.”
“I joined the TFAA because I strongly believe in and support the goals of the association. The TFAA's agenda works to protect the rights of athletes and by joining together athletes from the various track & field events, we become a stronger, more powerful entity. The TFAA's goals not only advance the sport but also will enable more emerging elite athletes like myself to pursue their athletic dreams.”
“I joined the TFAA to have a voice in track and field. There are a lot of things that need to change in our sport, and our best chance of doing that is to come together and fight for what we want. We need an organized team to push to help us move forward as a sport, and I believe TFAA is our answer. I am excited to be a part of TFAA and the changes that will come in track and field.”
“Every major professional sports league in the U.S. has a union which serves as a forum and voice for its athletes. It is through these unions that athletes can directly address various issues and concerns. Track and field professional athletes face greater bureaucratic forces than in other sports, and can greatly benefit from speaking through a single, powerful voice. For me, joining TFAA made sense because through increased membership, collective bargaining with the sport's governing bodies can be made possible. I believe the goal of TFAA is to allow professional track and field athletes to live the kind of life necessary for becoming even more successful professional athletes. This organization will only improve the ability of professional and emerging professional athletes to train and compete to the highest of their abilities.”
“US Track & Field athletes and coaches need a body devoid of political, corporate and personal agendas to serve as an advocating voice both domestically and abroad.”
“In hearing increasingly more information about the TFAA, it became more and more apparent that the concept wouldn't work without participation from everybody. I'm excited about not only how the voices of athletes might be heard more clearly, but the comradery that will continue to grow over the years and make us even more decisively the best track and field team in the world.”
“I feel it is part of one of my obligations as a track and field athlete to be a part of my track and field association. We are all in this together.”
“From watching Without Limits to today's vocal trailblazers, we seem to be fighting the same fight. I'd rather put my money directly toward the athletes who are making an impact than the same old institutions who have not evolved in 40 years. ”
“I am joining the TFAA as a non-elite athlete, who has to attempt to become the best athlete I can while supporting myself with a full time job. I know what there are many others out there like myself, and even more competitive who struggle to make ends meet while in pursuit of their goals.”
“As the Chairman of the Athletes Advisory Committee of USA Track and Field, I felt I had a moral obligation to take action because of my loyalty to athletes and the sport to help establish the TFAA. I realize I am not the whole story, I just play a small part in it. The best way to benefit the future sport is to give of myself, time, ideas, and finances to help my fellow athletes, which I believe, is a sacrifice worth making. The TFAA represents things such as Honor, Integrity, Respect, Service and last but not least, Professionalism. I am a member because I believe in those things aforementioned and believe "WE THE ATHLETES" possess the desire, intelligence and competence to take our future to new levels: For Athletes By Athletes.”
“Please read the following thread on Letsrun... it says it all as to why I joined. Click here.”
“I believe in supporting American track and field athletes as they strive to be the best they can be after they leave the collegiate world. I would love a model where the American public supports their athletes, where athletes could make a living on their dedication, talent, and abilities without corporate sponsorship - but I've always been an idealist! Failing that, we need to empower athletes to make a living while training and performing in whatever means are open to them. ”
“I wanted to join TFAA since it first started a few years back, but never got around to it because I was so new to track and field. But, now that I have been a professional runner since 2009, I felt that I needed to have a more active role in what goes on behind the scenes in our sport. TFAA is such a great group to be a part of because it keeps the athlete's #1. ”
“I've been running professionally for 9 years now. I've gone from being a non-collegiate hobby jogger to making a US Team this past year. I've earned several sponsorships the past 3 years. The higher I go, the more I see that our sport is governed by politics. I believe our sport needs to do more to protect the athletes' rights. ”
“"When faced with the choice of doing something and doing nothing, I will always choose to act."
The TFAA allows us athletes to join our voices and strengthen our presence in this sport. What we do off the field is just as important as on the field. Our voices are stronger when united and it is time we look at ourselves as one team vs. a scattered group of individuals with little impact. USATF is a great organization, but it can be better, better now and better in the future, if we work together to change it. The TFAA can be that vehicle for positive change in our lives as athletes on and off the track and I joined to be a part of that change.”
“I am joining TFAA because I have so much respect and admiration for the athletes in this sport, and I believe that they deserve better. Having been a fan of this sport since the mid-1990s, I recognize that we are in a golden age of athletics. There is so much more talent and depth in the sport right now than there ever was. But if the sport's governing bodies don't allow athletes to make a decent living, then the resurgence is not going to last. And the fans of the sport will be hurt by that as much as the athletes. That's why I fully support the efforts of Nick Symmonds, Lauren Fleshman, and everyone else who is promoting the TFAA and trying to propose common-sense rule changes that would significantly benefit the athletes. ”
“As an athlete, I believe that if you take yourself seriously and our sport seriously, then it is imperative to join the TFAA. Our interests and goals need to be unified as athletes, and we need to have a presence that is both seen and felt. We are professional athletes, and I think we need to take the necessary steps to be seen and respected as such. It is up to us to make this happen and to continue to support the TFAA so that we can work towards making our sport better and progressing towards a brighter future.”
“Athletes need to look after their best interest and there's no better way to do that than as a group. ”
“I joined TFAA with the hopes of becoming a part of developing a format that allows athletes to have a stronger voice in our sport. I believe if we come together that we can bring about positive change for the sport.”
“I've joined the TFAA because I want to do my part in making the Track & Field system in the United States an inviting arena for aspiring professional athletes. I know that by coming together, athletes and supporters can enact the positive and lasting change we are all fighting for. ”
“I am excited to join the TFAA and be a part of the united force striving to improve our sport of track and field.”
“I have struggled to make ends meet while training since graduating from Texas in 2008 as a 3:58 miler and 3x All-American. Even after making the 2009 USATF Championships finals in the 1500m, I had limited options for support. Luckily, my education granted me enough power and know-how to create my own opportunities. I primarily did this through the formation of a post-collegiate support program/Non-Profit organization titled TeamROGUE Elite. Today TeamROGUE Elite is supporting 12 developmental, post-collegiate athletes and, for all purposes concerned, a success! However, this success has been limited due to rules and regulations that are, quite frankly, outdated and illogical. I hope that by standing together, our voice as athletes will be heard and change will take place that will not only help us sustain, but grow to our maximum potential.”
“As a Athlete Event Leader for Road Race and Cross Country in the USATF AAC, I feel that it is about time I support this organization by becoming a member. I have wanted to since the begining, but have yet to join!”
“It's time to create unity within a sport that has for far too long referred to itself as being a sport made up of individuals.”
“I'm a fan of the sport and of checks and balances. It's good to see the athletes build something now that will help not only them, but future generations of track and field athletes.”
“I joined the TFAA because it is an organization that will help to bring professionalism to the world of Track and Field.”
“Because it's the right thing to do. And Adam Nelson is a very big guy.”
“I joined the TFAA because I felt that it was really important that the athletes in this sport join together. I believe that there is strength in numbers, and us joining together will give us strength in the time of need. It is always good to have a backing and a bond that can give athletes security in times of need.”
“I've been involved with track and field all my life; and, whenever I tell anyone that I'm involved in a "professional" sport, people find it hard to believe. I want to be a part of changing that perception. I want our Olympic and World Champions to be just as recognizable as any football or basketball player. I want our profession to be just as attractive as the NFL or NBA. I'm convinced that helping to establish the TFAA is the best way to make this happen.”
“I joined the TFAA because it allows me the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than myself. Having competed over a decade as a Professional Track and Field athlete, I always wanted to fully embrace the Professional aspect of it. The TFAA is an organization committed to ensuring the athletes are treated and respected as such. This gives me hope. And as the saying goes, "When there is hope in the future, that gives us power in the present."”
“A fundamental change in track and field governance needs to happen so American athletes can flourish. The USATF is a roadblock to their success and we need to drive change right now!!!”
“To help out! Fight the power...”
“After attending this year's USATF annual meeting I realize that we need to all work together to further both ourselves and our sport.”
“I've witnessed 20+ years of sponsorship lock down and arcane rule silliness from the USATF and IAAF. Also, as the founder of Oiselle, a new women's running apparel brand, I believe that the status quo limits our ability to sponsor elite athletes and have a visible presence at world class events. I appreciate TFAA's athlete driven approach and want to voice that there are organizations and businesses who support as well.”
“i am joining the TFAA because i have been in this sport for the better part of 13 year competing in nationals and Olympic teams, and it is sad to see that USATF does not do a thing to grow a sport that is so great. We call our selves professionals but we act like amateurs, and I think it is time for a change. i would love to see a time before I am done with this sport that we as athletes stick up for ourselves and make change happen and stop just talking about it.”
“As a lifelong competitive runner, I want to be a part of athletes coming together to make the sport even stronger for athletes at all levels.”
“Because as a post-college graduate, I am finding out that it is very hard to gather support with out becoming involved in associations and movements pertaining to our sport. And the USATF needs some checks and balances.”
“I am joining the TFAA because I want to help bring change to my sport. Without the athletes this sport doesn't exist. We should be getting praised by our national body, instead we are put down and forced into things. I want us to rise up and unite and make changes that we control.”
“I'm joining the TFAA to advocate for athletes rights and ensure that we are granted the freedoms, liberties, and opportunities we deserve. Change is needed in order to bring our sport into a new and prosperous era, the TFAA unites the athlete's voice. I'm honored to play a role. ”
“I joined the TFAA because I hope that someday the organization will provide some stability for the athlete, hopefully in my time as a runner, but definitely beyond my years, by offering health insurance and retirement plans. ”
“I joined The TFAA because of the impact I think it will have on the athletes. I think it will give Professional track and field athletes Hope that things will be different in our Sport. The change may not come while I am competing but Im hoping to help for the athletes in the future. ”
“This being my first year professionally in the sport, I realize how much I enjoy it and would like to do it for as long as possible. For me, this means learning as much as I can from older athletes and listening to what they have to say about how to improve and ensure the quality of the sport for the future. I believe that this organization is a great medium for athletes of all stages in their careers to let their voices be heard and understood by others and their problems be worked out so that everyone can move forward together. ”
“I've been a fan/athlete/student of this sport for the better half of my life and it has made me the person I am today. I want to do everything in my power to help the support around this sport grow and give people the opportunity to achieve even more than I was able to.”
“We need an entity to stand up for track and field athletes and to represent us when necessary to our NGB. ”
“I love Track and Field. I support efforts to bring the rules governing these athletes into the 21st century.”
“We need change. We all need to band together and make running a sport that everyone can recognize while also having the support for the emerging elite who will shape the sport in the future. ”
“As Track and Field seems an individual sport, progress and success requires a team effort. Collectively, we are the #1 track team in the world.”
“Track & Field athletes and coaches in this country need a body without political, corporate and personal agendas to advocate on their behalf and in their best interest.”
“I am joining the TFAA because as athletes we are our strongest in big numbers and can have more accomplished. The TFAA might not help me in my career but I want to lay the ground work for the future of the sport I love.”
“I joined the TFAA because I want track and field athletes to have a united voice that will help create better opportunities for us all as we strive to make careers in the sport. ”
“I have joined TFAA because I am ready to see change, and I look forward to the advancement of Track and Field as a Professional Sport. This organization will do just that and allow athletes to have a voice that will be heard. I also like that we (the athletes) will be treated with respect and be able to make things so much better for those in the present and future. ”
“I want to consolidate as a union to create one voice with goals to grow our monies, expand our media exposure and social networking. I want to work to raise the tides in track and field so everyone gets lifted. It's way beyond time that we take full advantage with collective bargaining. Pension plan!!”