Before You Vote… Consider This!
Your vote is important at this year's convention. Before you cast your vote it might be wise to consider the impact your vote will have not only on the elections but the future of the Sport.
The current administration is made up of people who have been a part of the same group that has been in office since the mid 1980's and now includes a few new faces who have bought into that same philosophy. Those voted out in an election year, re-appeared by appointment and are placed in prominent positions directing various committees. That same mentality has been leading the organization on its present course since that time. This includes the increased certification requirements, the rising cost of membership and the decline in membership numbers. There have been many promises made over these years that have never been fulfilled. There has also been some recent questionable actions made by some that have threatened your ability to vote in this election.
Emphasis on training sites and the elite divers has not produced the results promised. It would seem wiser to fund the expenses for travel and lodging of the divers rather than subsidize unnecessary travel expenses for certain people not involved with US Diving business. Increased certifications have not made the sport safer. In fact it appears to have had the reverse affect. Now those same certifications are not being recognized by many pool owner/operators/administrators. This has been demonstrated since many programs must have lifeguards on duty for both practices and meets.
In an effort to keep this discussion short, since 1998 what has all of this done to make you a better coach and your divers better divers? In my mind all it has done is to alienate numerous diving programs. Many coaches have since dropped out of the organization. In my area it has decreased the number of divers' involvement in US Diving by over 50%. Illinois has over 50 coaches not involved with US Diving. This lack of involvement has also decreased the number of local meets by 80%, which translates into less competitive experience and recognition for our divers and the sport itself. Many coaches are looking toward forming an alternative organization because US Diving Inc. refuses to meet their needs. None of this has made you a better coach or your divers better divers. All it has done is frustrate coaches who do not buy into the philosophy and as a result of this frustration they are no longer members. The loss of membership is responsible for the increasing fees, which has made Diving one of the smallest as well as the most expensive of USOC sports.
I have always envisioned a Diving organization that is united in an effort to see the sport grow and be successful. A place where no individual, coach or diver, is more important than any other, with no coach or diver being left out, each having an equal place and say in the sport. It would be a place where the leadership performs an enabling role, which facilitates the needs of the membership. The main focus would be on the athletes. That focus would be equal on all levels of diving not just zoomed in on the upper level. I guess that I am just a purist at heart and now there seems to be no room for people (who want to coach) like me in this organization.
When the time comes to cast your vote, I would urge you to consider the entire scope of the sport and not just what affects the level of the sport in which you are involved. All levels are interdependent. Narrow thinking has gotten us to where we are today and not many are happy with that. Maybe it is time for a new leadership to re-establish the trust and confidence that has been lost by the membership. Change can be a good thing and appears to be necessary at this time. If you happen to be one that doesn't have a vote, I would urge you and others to make your feeling known to your Association's representatives. Make sure that they get to the convention and vote!