1. What is USA Track & Field
2. What is Mid-Atlantic USA Track & Field?
3. I belong to AAU, why should I join USATF?
4. Who should join USATF, me, my club or both?
5. I don’t belong to a club, how do I find one?
6. I would like to form a track club, where do I start?
7. I need a number fast. Where do I go?
8. What is a “Sanction”?

1. What is USA Track & Field?

USA Track & Field (USATF) is the National Governing Body for track and field, long-distance running and race walking in the United States. USATF encompasses the world's oldest organized sports, the most-watched events of Olympic broadcasts, the #1 high school and junior high school participatory sport and more than 30 million adult runners in the United States.

Led by President Bill Roe and CEO Craig Masback, USATF is a volunteer-driven, not-for-profit organization with a staff of professional program administrators at the National Office in Indianapolis. The mission of USATF is to provide vision and leadership to the sport of track and field in the United States, and to promote the pursuit of excellence from youth to masters, from grass roots to the Olympic Games.

A Sport for Everyone ... For Life!

When we say that USATF is a "Sport for Everyone ... For Life," we mean exactly that. Just a few of the ways we serve our sport include:

·         Establishing grassroots programs, such as the Junior Olympics, to help develop future stars who will follow in the footsteps of Justin Gatlin, Maurice Greene, Allyson Felix, Bryan Clay, John Godina, Deena Drossin Kastor and Allen Johnson.

·         Developing, selecting and leading Team USA - the World's #1 team - at the Olympics, World Championships and more than 12 other international events each year. Roughly 700 athletes of all ages wear a Team USA uniform in any given year.

·         Promoting programs of training and competition for men and women and boys and girls of all ages.

·         Establishing and enforcing the rules and regulations of our sport.

·         Sanctioning more than 4,000 events each year.

·         Providing insurance to sanctioned events, member clubs and member-athletes.

·         Certifying race courses for accuracy and validating records.

Nearly 100,000 Americans are members of USATF. Our member organizations include the U.S. Olympic Committee, NCAA, NAIA, Road Runners Club of America, Running USA and the National Federation of State High School Associations. Fifty-seven USATF Associations oversee the sport and its 2,500 clubs at the local level.

Pushing Ahead

Although our sport traces its roots back to ancient Greece, USATF is on a mission to put track and field at the cutting edge of the 21st-century sports scene. In 1999, USATF began a series of elite competitions that gives American athletes what they've requested for years - to compete at home, to receive increased television and other media coverage, and to be paid significant prize money based on performance. In 2005, the meets will be known as the Visa Championship Series. A loyal partner of USATF since 1988, Visa in 2004 renewed its commitment to USATF and the World's #1 Track and Field Team through 2008 in part by entitling what formerly was known as the Golden Spike Tour.

Using innovative meet formats, the Visa Championship Series helps to repackage the sport, drawing new fans and new sponsors alike and providing increased financial incentives for USATF athletes. The Indoor Visa Championship Series typically averages more than 10,000 fans per meet, while Outdoor Visa Championship Series meets are standing-room only. Athletes compete for prize money at each meet, and the top athletes share in a bonus pool of $100,000.

From an organizational perspective, USATF has been one of the greatest financial success stories in sport, more than doubling its overall revenues since 1997. The organization currently has an impressive line-up of sponsors that includes Visa, Nike and 24-Hour Fitness.

This surge in revenue has coincided with a hefty increase in the number of track meets broadcast on television and TV ratings. USATF's seven shows on NBC in 2004 averaged a 2.5 rating, which exceeds the NBA's regular season average. Our sport has upwards of 40 national TV broadcasts in any given year, and average Nielsen ratings for track and field broadcasts are higher than those of the NHL, the WNBA and Major League Soccer. In addition to securing national TV coverage of the Visa Championship Series, USA Track & Field has worked with ESPN, Fox Sports Net, and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) to bring same-day, prime-time coverage of major international events to the American __ throughout the summer season.

Reaching Out

USA Track & Field and our partners also reach out to the community. In 2003, USATF launched its ZERO TOLERANCE policy, featuring a comprehensive anti-drug messaging plan that calls for lifetime bans of steroid cheats. One of its main tenants is to educate athletes, coaches and officials on all levels about the dangers of drug use, and to spread the message that drug use is morally wrong - and cheaters will be caught.

To help deliver that message, in 2004 USATF joined with the American College of Sports Medicine to launch the "Be a Champion" program. At each Visa Championship Series stop, and at other events around the country, USATF's star athletes speak with local schools about the importance of fitness, a healthy lifestyle, living with integrity - including a drug-free life - and setting goals. With a target of reaching 1 million school children through in-person appearances and television messaging, "Be A Champion" has been enthusiastically embraced by USATF athletes and the students to whom they speak. It is a key component of the rich history of voluntarism displayed by Team USA. <top>

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2. What is Mid-Atlantic USA Track & Field?

Mid-Atlantic USATF is the Local association member of USA Track & Field.  USA Track & Field is the national governing body for the Olympic sport of track & field in the United States.  The United States Olympic Committee has designated USA Track & Filed as the organization in the United States responsible for selecting and managing our sports entry into the Olympic Games.  Many organizations have responsibility for organizing their efforts in our sport.  The AAU, NCAA and NHSFA are a few.  These groups are constituent members of USA Track & Field and assist with the direction and governance of the organization.  Mid-Atlantic Association carries out the USA Track & Field charge in our area. 

Mid-Atlantic’s current boundaries include Central and eastern PA as well as the State of Delaware.  Mid-Atlantic is organized along the same lines as the national organization.  There is an Executive Committee composed of eleven members who handle the day to day operation of the organization.  There are four major sports committees, High Performance, Youth Athletics, Masters and Long Distance Running.  These committees handle all activities specific to their discipline.  There is also an Officials Committee that handles all activities related to Track & Field Officiating. 

Individuals who join the organization enjoy the benefits of belonging to the organization that fields the No. 1 Track & Field team in the world.  They also enjoy many member benefits and become eligible to compete in the many local, regional and national competitions sponsored by the organization. <top>

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3. I belong to AAU, why should I join USATF?

The AAU and USATF are not mutually exclusive organizations.  An individual can, and many do, belong to both.  The AAU is a multi-sport organization dedicated to the support of amateur athletes in the various sports under their charge.  Much the same as the US Olympic Committee is responsible for supporting the various National Governing Bodies (NGB) under its charge.  USOC does not control these NGB’s, rather they support their Olympic efforts.  USA Track & Field is the governing body for track & field exclusively.  It has no other responsibility.  100% of its resources are dedicated to the support of the sport of track & Field.  Your membership helps support that effort.  You know that your support will go to the organization charged exclusively with the development of the sport of track & field. <top>

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4. Who should join USATF, me, my club or both?

Just as individual membership has its benefits, club or organization membership has its benefits also.  Clubs are may secure practice insurance as well as have their events sanctioned by USA Track & Field.  Sanctioned events have the benefit of securing USATF liability insurance and are listed in the national USATF calendar.  Only member clubs are permitted to participate as clubs in most USA Track & Field events.  Athletes who compete for non-member clubs, in many cases, are listed as unattached and not afforded the benefits and courtesies of club membership.  You are encouraged to join as an individual but just as important we encourage you to consider the advantages of club membership. <top>

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5. I don’t belong to a club, how do I find one?

Most of the clubs that belong to Mid-Atlantic USATF are listed on our website.  The club contacts as well as all disciplines that they support are listed also.  While Mid-Atlantic USATF does not sponsor or endorse any specific organization we generally support the stated goals of our member organizations.  As with any group or organization it is important to investigate them thoroughly.  There is no substitute for first hand knowledge.  Speak to the coaches and other members to make sure that your expectations can and will be delivered.  The coach-athlete relationship is very special and should not be entered into lightly.  You, in many cases, are entrusting your future in the sport to this individual.  A little due diligence now may save you a lot of disappointment later on. <top>

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6. I would like to form a track club, where do I start?

Starting your own track club can be one of the most rewarding yet frustrating experiences of your sporting life.  No one can predict your chances for success or failure but there are many things that you can do to avoid the pratfalls that confront most fledgling organizations.  Your group must have the solid support of its membership and in the case of youth clubs it must also have the support of the athletes’ parents.  The purpose of a club is to facilitate the goals and objectives of its members.    The resources of most clubs are finite.  Coaches, equipment and money are usually limited. If the goals and aspirations of a single member become too large for the club to support then the athlete, in many cases, should be directed to another organization that can handle their needs. Your club should be prepared to handle this eventuality. Your club must have immediate, intermediate and long term goals.  If your aim is just recreational then you should have to look no further than your local department of recreation for that level of competition.  If you aspire to a little bit more serious competition then you should explore the opportunities that exist with USA Track & Field and its grass-roots development programs.  A good, conscientious coaching staff is essential to your success but don’t expect overnight results.  Most athletes train regularly and your newbie’s may not be able to compete without similar training effort.  All in all the sport of track & field has room for all levels of athletes.  We encourage you to follow your dreams and start a club.  Don’t forget you should join USA Track & Field to make sure that your efforts are recognized and your athletes are put on the fast track to stardom. <top>

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7. I need a number fast. Where do I go?

Look no further.  You can click here to apply for your USATF number and you will receive it right away (have your credit card ready). You can also get to the same location from our main page. <top>

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 8. What is a “Sanction”?

A USATF sanction is an official designation issued by USATF, through a local Association, which approves and licenses the holding of a competitive track & field, long distance running or race walking event in the United States. The sanction is also a contract, which evidences the event's commitment to follow national and international rules and regulations of the sport and to provide a safe environment for the participants and spectators. Once the event has satisfied the sanction requirements, the event's application for sanction is approved.

Benefits of sanctioning your event:

• Increased Prestige - For many events, the USATF sanction improves the event's public perception. A sanction tells athletes that an event is being run according to applicable competition rules. Sanctioned events have the ability to use the USATF logo to promote the fact that the governing body has sanctioned the event.
• Liability Insurance - Most governmental entities including cities, counties, state highway departments, parks and community centers require general liability insurance for all events. The cost of a sanction is very inexpensive compared to the prices of most event insurance policies. It is important to know that events that are already insured may choose to waive the insurance coverage and pay a lower sanction fee. More info (PDF)
• Medical Insurance for Athletes - Any athlete who is a USATF member and is injured while participating in a sanctioned event will be eligible for secondary medical insurance coverage for the injury. This insurance not only provides valuable coverage to USATF members, but it serves as a valuable deterrent to lawsuits.
• Calendar Promotion - Sanctioned events will be included in the USATF online calendar and be highlighted to distinguish them from non-sanctioned events.
• Records - In general, for non-road events, a sanction is required for a record to be set. There are some exceptions to this rule, however.
• Special Offers and Discounts - view offers & discounts available to sanctioned events
• Resolving Disputes - If requested, USATF will act as an arbiter in disputes between athletes and sanctioned events.
• Other - Each Association may provide additional benefits to its sanctioned events. Please contact your local Association for more details. <top>