Track and Field in Arizona 2008

Track and Field in Arizona – April 21, 2008

Track and Field is alive and well in Arizona. A lot a good kids in the high schools. I haven’t seen a dirt track yet, only all-weather surfaces. I guess it’s kind of tough to run in sand!

USA T&F: There’s only one college in the Phoenix area that uses officials – ASU. Their event director assigns us and uses everyone. No pay. They have used the same 2 starters for all their home meets for the last 12 years and they will do the PAC-10 championships in May. One of the starters was trained in California back in the 80’s and is very good! I’ll probably work the PAC-10 as a clerk. We have the Paralympics Trials for Beijing here at ASU in June, and I have signed up for that. We also have the Region X Junior Olympics here this year in July. They only run events in the morning and the evening – we take a siesta in the afternoon or jump in the pool! I have started 3 or 4 Youth Meets and Masters Meets. The youth meets are really well run. The 2 day Phoenix Invitational 2 weeks ago was huge – 1550 races, 3 starters! Three times I stood in one place and started one event until I went through a box of shells, then we switched places… whew!
High School: All officials for all the sports are assigned through the AIA (Arizona Interscholastic Association), except Track and Field. We are the “orphan child” at the moment, but getting closer to being trained and organized. Each track starter seeks out their own meets to do. They are all held on Wednesdays. There are about 130 certified track officials and only 16 starters, 10 of which are certified to start championships meets. Because of my experience in California, I was put right in to that last group (Level 3, I think it is called). There are 5 divisions in track and they are combined into 3 state tracks meets on the second weekend in May. So, I have already been assigned to start one of the state meets. That was a pleasant surprise! The dual meets during the course of the year are usually started by coaches or teachers they can find. They are used to running their own meets, and so they do a very good job. They really don’t need starters or officials, except when it comes to enforcing the rules – jewelry, uniforms, ipods, sector lines, etc. The kids don’t get that enforcement until the end of the season, or at combined invitational meets. When schools do “big” meets - invitationals, etc. - they usually call in about 10 of us to be head officials at the events. Track and Field is a great sport, and we are always looking for more volunteers and officials to help out. If interested, let me know, and I will get you in touch with a local organization!