U.S. Athletic Trust Newsletter 2013reetings from all of our
athletes and volunteers! U.S. Athletic Trust (USAT) has just
completed our first decade of operation, and we are proud of our
accomplishments. Our original mission was to provide a model of
direct support to college graduates training for the Olympic Games.
Over time, we have broadened our efforts locally and thematically.
USAT is A NEW MODEL OF SPORT PHILANTHROPY, more broadly a sport NGO
(non-governmental organization) advocating on behalf of Americas
under-supported Olympians. Going forward we will focus on four main
initiatives:
G
1. iPad Coaching Excellence Awards: The advent of easy-to-use,
slow-motion analysis mobile software provides coaches and athletes
an incredibly powerful new tool. USAT is awarding iPads to top
coaches in various sports who do not A special thanks to the
following yet use the technology due to financial or familiarity
issues. A Major Donors: picture is worth a thousand words;
easy-to-use hi-res, slow-mo Robert and Joan Merrilees video is
worth a million! 2. Hi-Lo Assist: We believe the broad application
of our living high, training low training approach will
dramatically boost American competitiveness in a number of Olympic
sports. In 2013, we intend to provide a dozen athletes from sports
including track, cycling, rowing and triathlon with expertise and
equipment to improve their performance and get on the podium in
2014 (Sochi) and 2016 (Rio). 3. NGB and USOC Policy Research: For
the most part, American National Governing Bodies, or NGBs, such as
USA Track & Field and others, as well as the USOC, are
self-funding and governing. There is no third party policy and
efficacy examination of these organizations. Over time, USAT will
develop an on-line presence to provide constructive critique and
policy prescriptions of these organizations. 4. Direct Olympic
Athlete Support: Since 2000, USAT has supported nearly 50 college
graduates training for the Olympic Games. In 2012, all four of our
athletes made the Olympic team: Sean Furey (Javelin), Craig Kinsley
(Javelin), Samyr Laine (Triple Jump - made final) and Donn Cabral
(Steeple 7th; USAT provided Hi-Lo Assist). We will continue to
connect deserving athletes with donors.Frank and Beth Harrison VJ
Dowling Anne Marden-Grainger Holborn, Inc. Dick and Liz Moley
Richard and Nora Johnson Preston Johnson and Vicki Martin Vince
Crescenzi George Yancopoulos Ben Gifford and Jane Carlin Mark and
Lisa Heffernan Clare Pierson And Major Supporters: Dr. Jim
Stray-Gundersen The United States Olympic Committee USATF
Foundation Bernie and Cecelia Wehrle US Ski Team
We will continue to pursue our mission in a manner that is a
model of effectiveness, both in terms of impact, and of the
leanness of our operation. Thanks to the support of our donors and
volunteers, USAT continues to offer a unique and effective model of
sport philanthropy and training. We look forward to sharing some
very rewarding and exciting moments with you and our athletes in
the future.Sincerely,
Augie Wolf President/Founder U.S. A T H L E T I C T R U ST 1
1. Supporting Coaching Excellence: iPad 3 Gift ProgramNatalia
Brown is the Throws Coach at New Rochelle High School. As a college
thrower, Natalia developed an interest in coaching, and began
changing athletes lives while coaching at her former high schools
program. Natalias athletes consistently dominate the competition.
USAT was delighted to present Natalia with the first iPad 3 coachs
gift. Using the Ubersense iPad App, Natalia can train her athletes
using immediate slow-motion footage in terrific resolution.
New Rochelle HS athlete Biryah Brown, left, achieved
recordsetting throws with the help of the Ubersense iPad App, and
the expert instruction of Coach Natalia Brown, right
A slow-motion video that you can control with your fingertips is
like a million words. The iPad 3 and Apps like Ubersense and
Coaches Eye have given coaches an invaluable tool to dramatically
improve the technique of our athletes. I can think of no better way
to leverage the generosity of our donors than to identify
exceptional coaches who, for whatever reason, (financial resources,
age, time), have not yet adopted the technology, and bestow upon
them an unexpected gift. Augie Wolf, Founder US Athletic
TrustUbersense iPad App showing arm-swing analysis
To date, US Athletic Trust has provided iPad 3s to the following
top coaches to help them better prepare their athletes for
competition: Natalia Brown Harry Marra Mike Pascuzzo Matt Whitcomb
Tim ONeill Frank Harrison New Rochelle, NY Eugene, OR Lenape, NJ
Park City, UT Phoenix AZ Colts Neck, NJ Throws Coach New Rochelle
HS Coach of 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist, Ashton Eaton HS Coach of
50+ NCAA D-1 athletes in jumps US Ski Team Nordic Womens Coach
Coach of several elite HS athletes in AZ USAT Elite Track
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U.S. A T H L E T I C T R U S T
2. Hi-Lo Assist Program Trial: A Model of Excellence for TEAM
USAOver the last half century, US Olympic The solution? Spend
performance in cardio sports (rowing, at least 8-10 hours a
triathlon, running, cycling) has not been day in an dominant on the
medal stand. Recently, environment this has begun to change in some
simulating altitude. sports, including distance running. One This
is most readily of the reasons for the shift is the done by
encasing a aggressive application of altitude bed or whole room,
management on the body. Dr. James and pumping in air
Stray-Gundersen, (currently Director of that has less oxygen the US
SKI TEAM High Performance than normal. Doing Center in Park City,
UT) and his team, this properly pioneered research demonstrating a
demands expertise Ashley Higginson, USAT-sponsored steeplechaser
conclusive link between living at high (treadmill testing,
altitude/training low, to improved athletic hemoglobin and other
monitoring), rigor and performance in cardio sport. Simply put, our
bodies supervision. In the 20 years since Dr. Stray-Gundersens grow
more red blood cells (that ferry oxygen to work was first
publicized, many athletes simply bought altitude tents from
aggressive vendors, but did not have the expertise to properly take
advantage. At the London Games, USAT Founder Augie Wolf had
numerous conversations with USA Olympians and NGB/USOC staff. He
discovered that proper application of this technique was rare
amongst our rowers, triathletes, and cyclists, to name a few.
Subsequently, USAT launched the Hi-Lo Assist Program Trial. USAT
provides the tent, 2 trips to the US Ski Team High Performance
Center in Park City, UT for analysis, training and consultation in
using the tent, and ongoing support. Implemented broadly, we
believe the USA can win 20+ additional medals in the Olympic Games
from broad use of Hi-Lo on this basis. We are raising $75,000 (10
athletes) to fund this pilot program please contact us if you care
to help.
Ashleys Facebook post boasts, VO2 to da max baby.
muscles) to compensate for the lower oxygen levels in the air
above 4500 ft. But living at high altitude makes it difficult to
train; low altitude is optimal. The ideal situation of living high
and training low is geographically impossible for 99% of us.
Current Hi-Lo Assist Program Trial Participants Ashley Higginson
Jordan Rapp Robbie Andrews Taylor Ritzel Donn Cabral Princeton
Princeton UVA Yale Princeton Steeplechase Triathlon 800m Rowing W8
Steeplechase 4th Place US Olympic Trials 2012 13th Place Kona
IronMan 2012 5th Place US Olympic Trials 2012 Gold Medalist 2012
Olympics 8th Place 2012 Olympics U.S. A T H L E T I C T R U ST
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3. National Governing Body (NGB)/ US Olympic Committee (USOC)
Policy ResearchThe original intent of our effort was to publicize
the unacceptably low level of direct athlete support provided to
post-graduate Olympic athletes. Ten years later, there are small
signs of improvement, but in general, NGBs and the USOC still do
not put the practical needs of the athletes at the forefront of
their planning. US Athletic Trust intends to re-double its efforts
in analyzing and publicizing the operations of these organizations,
providing comparative analysis among them and to those of other
countries, and finally proposing longer term policy solutions. In
2013, we hope to markedly deepen our online presence with
insightful analysis and critique. We hope to emerge as a leading
sport NGO that policy makers look to for direction.
4. Direct Olympic Athlete SupportUS Athletic Trust is dedicated
to supporting America's Olympic hopefuls in a sustained and
meaningful way. Since our inception in 2000, we have supported
nearly 75 college graduates, many of whom are accomplished
Olympians, and among them, several medalists. With an eye towards
the 2014 Games in Sochi, Russia, and the 2016 Games in Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil, we applaud the continued success of our former and
current sponsored athletes.Former USAT Former USAT Sponsored
Athletes Sponsored Athletes Lindsay Campbell, Princeton Brian
Chaput, Pennsylvania Susan Francia, Pennsylvania* Bryon Friedman,
Dartmouth Zoila Gomez, Adams State College Tora Harris, Princeton*
Gabriel Jennings, Stanford Scott Macartney, Dartmouth Adam Nelson,
Dartmouth* Jordan Rapp, Princeton Jarrod Shoemaker, Dartmouth Paul
Terek, Michigan State Alexander Ghanotakis, Dartmouth Trinity Gray,
Brown Michelle Guerette, Harvard* Tyler Hagler, Georgia Tech Danika
Holbrook, Princeton* Portia Johnson, Brown John Kelly, Princeton
Kathryn King, Brown* Maya Lawrence, Princeton* Lucas McGee, Brown
Alex Ottiano, Brown* Jimmy Pedro, Brown* Gregory Ruckman, Harvard
Artour Samsonov, Harvard Lauren Simmons, Princeton Brenda Taylor,
Harvard* Lindsay Taylor, Brown Soren Thompson, Princeton* Gabriel
Winkler, Cornell *=Olympian
Adam Nelson
Tora Harris
Michelle Guerette
Maya Lawrence
Danika Holbrook
Brenda Taylor
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U.S. A T H L E T I C T R U S T
Sean Furey
Dartmouth 05
Javelin
2012 Olympics
Sean Furey, 30, realized a lifelong dream when he competed for
Team USA at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. A multi-talented high
school athlete, Fury had an arm for both football and javelin.
Turning his focus to Track and Field at the collegiate level, Furey
was a standout in the Ivy League, where he holds the Dartmouth
school record in the javelin, with a distance of 73.84 meters. With
a personal best of 82.73 meters, Furey also held the top mark in
the U.S. in 2012, and is currently ranked 43rd in the world. His
trip to London was the second Team USA appearance for Furey, after
also making the World Outdoor team in Donate 2009. Coached by
former Olympian Todd Reich, Furey works part time as USAT is a
recognized 501-c3 nona mechanical engineer. When asked why he chose
to continue pursuing profit corporation. Change a young the
javelin, instead of concentrating on his engineering career, Furey
athletes life with a gift of cash or remarked of his life in San
Diego with wife Mattie, "We have everything securities. Your
contribution goes a we need and more. Making money won't make me
happier. Being on the long way toward helping talented Olympic team
will make me happier." US Athletic Trust will continue to and
determined athletes like these support Furey, with confidence that
his Olympic dream will be a recurring reach their goals. one. Look
for Sean Furey on the roster, and on the podium, in 2016.
Craig Kinsley
Brown 11
Javelin
2012 Olympics
So I went to the Olympics. Good stuff. Now I want more. Looking
forward to 2013 World Championships in Moscow, says Craig Kinsley,
2012 Olympian. During the qualifying round in London, Kinsley had
his Olympic PR, marked at 78.18 meters. Kinsleys debut in London
laid the groundwork for his real moment in 2016, where we expect
great things. US Javelin Development Coordinator Tom Pukstys
confirmed that Kinsley is one of top three prospects in the US
through 2016, and has the ability to throw far enough to get on the
podium. The US has not had an Olympic medalist in the javelin since
1972. Like many Track & Field athletes, Kinsley, 23, found his
sport serendipitously; a broken hand in high school turned this
aspiring baseball player into a renowned Olympic Javelin thrower,
with the potential to bring home the Gold. Kinsley graduated from
Brown in 2011, where he was coached by Michelle Eisenreich. Support
from US Athletic Trust allowed him to stay in Providence to
continue to train while volunteering as an assistant coach. After
the Olympics, Kinsley committed to train for 2016, and has moved to
San Diego to train at the USOC Training Center in Chula Vista. A
monthly stipend from USAT will enable Craig to stay focused and
prepare to represent Team USA in 2016.
U.S. A T H L E T I C T R U ST
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Samyr Laine
Harvard 06
Triple Jump Final Round
2012 Olympics
Samyr Laine gained celebrity as roommate to Facebooks founder
Mark Zuckerberg, at Harvard, and as one of the first members of the
social network. But Laine, 29, is generating Likes of his own, off
the social grid, in the world of Track & Field. Making the
finals in his first Olympic appearance in London with a jump
distance of 16.80 meters, Samyr is just getting started. With a
personal best of 17.39 meters, Laine has set his sights on The 2013
IAAF World Championships in Moscow and the 2016 Olympic Games in
Rio. Though born and raised in Newburgh, NY, Laine competes in the
triple jump for Haiti, the native home of his parents. Laine
believes he could have earned a spot on Team USA, but chose to fly
the flag for his ancestral home. After a visit to Haiti following
the 2012 earthquake, Laine was inspired to create the Jump for
Haiti Foundation, which provides mentoring for Haitian children and
aspiring Haitian athletes. Though not competing for the USA, US
Athletic Trust supported Samyr due to his commitment to excellence
and impressive academic credentials. US Athletic stipend allowed
him to focus on his preparation for London; his strong speaks to
the importance of this support.
Trusts monthly performance
American athletes not on level playing fieldUS Athletic Trust
was founded in 2002 when our founder discovered that Tora Harris,
Princeton '02 who graduated as a top ten American high-jumper, was
not getting any direct support, just as he did not 20 years before.
This was startling as the sums flowing into the Olympic movement
had grown dramatically since 1984. Sadly, it is not much different
today. USAT athlete NIC Crumpton is on the USA Skeleton Development
Team. He gets no direct support from his federation or the USOC.
Here is his comment after a training camp in Whistler, Canada this
winter: "It's shocking how much better funded the Canadians are
than us. They pay a one- time team fee at the beginning of the
year, and then have everything taken care of after that. They have
all their spikes, apparel, and team gear paid for, as well as their
trips to Europe. They even get a per diem. It's disconcerting that
the USOC & NGBs receive more money both in gross terms and per
capita terms - and yet does so much less to support their athletes.
More than disconcerting; it's disheartening." USAT analyzed USOC
and NGB tax returns in the late 1990s and concluded that about 6%
of revenues were going to direct athlete support. We do not believe
the figure is much higher today. Other countries, notably the UK,
Canada and Germany, fund their athletes materially better. Part of
the solution is more visibility for direct athlete support at all
levels. In addition, development (aka fundraising) is a simple (yet
hardly easy) solution. We estimate that more is spent on a single
typical NFL football game than is donated in an entire year to the
USOC and NGBs. The lack of support for our Olympic athletes is a
disgrace given the value most Americans place on TEAM USA
(evidenced by the billions of dollars paid to the IOC for American
TV rights). Addressing this is the most important long term goal of
US Athletic Trust.
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U.S. A T H L E T I C T R U S T
Looking forward: Nathan Ikon CrumptonNathan Ikon Crumpton is a
modern-day Renaissance man. Familiarly known as NIC, he was born in
Nairobi, Kenya, and spent his younger years in East Africa and
Geneva, Switzerland. NIC has also taken up residence in Harare,
Zimbabwe; Canberra, Australia; and the Washington D.C. metropolitan
area. A scholar and an athlete, NIC studied at Princeton University
and competed in NCAA Division I Track and Field as a long jumper,
triple jumper, and short sprinter. He graduated Cum Laude in 2008
with degrees in Sociology and Environmental Studies. Like any
respectable Renaissance man, NIC also developed talents in the
visual arts. Photography, videography, and multiple online business
ventures occupied his work time, and leisure time was anything but,
with adventures on snowboards, skis, skateboards, surf boards, and
mountain bikes.NIC. shown competing for the Olympic Development
Team in Salt Lake City, UT
Princeton 08
Skeleton
NIC improves technique and reduces push time with each race, as
shown here in Whistler, BC
NIC tried out and qualified for the US Olympic Development team
in skeleton. Skeleton is an extremely fast winter sliding sport in
which an individual rides a small sled down a frozen track while
lying face down, during which the athlete experience forces up to
5g. There's nothing quite like sliding head first down a serpentine
chute of ice at over 80 miles per hour, says NIC of his new
passion.
NIC reached an impressive PR of 50.33 seconds on the skeleton
course in Park City UT
Leonardo daVinci has the Mona Lisa, and Michelangelo has the
Sistine Chapel, but NICs masterpiece may be achieved in his return
to competitive athletics. While spiked shoes are still required, he
can hang up his track spikes and trade in his running singlet and
sand pit for a full-body speed suit and sled. Building on his Track
and Field skills,
Skeleton was permanently added to the Olympic program with the
2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, and NIC hopes to earn
a spot on Team USA for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
With support from US Athletic Trust, NIC has access to equipment,
training programs, and skeleton venues required to reach the top of
the sport, in addition to the training and disciplined
lifestyle.
U.S. A T H L E T I C T R U ST
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Without the generosity of our donors, none of this would be
possible. On behalf of all the aspiring athletes US Athletic Trust
has supported over the years, thank you very much. Going forward,
we invite you to continue to be part of the effort as our mission
broadens and successes grow.Gold Sponsors Robert & Joan
Merrilees August Wolf Charles & Wendy Block George Yancopoulos
Mark & Lisa Heffernan Silver SponsorsJames Migliorini Paul
& Sandra Skubic Robert Manning III Stephen Shine Gerald Donini
Fith Fithian MaryPat Issavi Gary and Nancy Goodenough Paul Clark
Chris Tokarski Daniel Ford Tim Defrisco & Barb DeVries Dianna
Raedle Donald Denbo Edward & Kathy Cerullo Dr. Frank A.
Cordasco G.S. Beckwith Gilbert Gary & Maureen Sagui Henry
Hamilton Jay Alix John Botti Leonard DeBenedictis Lyman B. Brainerd
Family Foundation Margaret DeMarrais Maria & Erik Nilsen Martha
& Clement Dwyer Mary Ross Matthew Stedman Oren Bramson Pearl
Izumi, thanks to Geoff Shaffer & David Brinton Philip
Dunkelberger Richard A. Dreissigacker & Julia H. Geer Richard
W. Kazmaier, Jr. Robert & Polly Quinn Robert V. Edgar Roy
Vagelos Susan Feitelberg Tamara J. Holliday Carmen Monks The JP
Morgan Chase Matching Gift Program Hope Hill van Beuren William H,
Walton, III William A. Glaser Bradley Rowe Thomas Gronauer W.
Dieter Zander Warren Davis William Farrell Dag Siem William H.
Hampton, M.D. John Rogers Matthew Quilter Mike Vranos Mr. &
Mrs. Clement S. Dwyer Tracy Sundlun Trip Mestanas
Preston Johnson & Vicki Martin Richard & Nora Johnson
William Weaver, Jr. Dick & Liz Moley
Frank & Beth Harrison Vincent Dowling Jr. Anthony A.
Yoseloff Anne Marden-Grainger Clare Pierson
Benjamin Gifford & Jane Carlin Holburn, Inc. Vince
Crescenzi
Bronze SponsorsMitchell Seminario Ariel Capital Management,
thanks to Lily Pearlman Isabel D. Wolf Jeffrey McDermott Susanne
Urschel Tom Bernard Alan DeRose Andrew Flood Andrew L. Heiskell
AOV, Inc. Barbara B. Pike Bernard Kroll Bert G. Kerstetter Bruce
Jenner Carl Barisich Carol P. Brown Charlotte M. Geer Chase Caro
Chris Gagnier Christine Danieliewski Christopher Harms Chuck &
Naira Chokel Craig Masback CULI, thanks to Doug Fiske & Priya
Morganstern Dale E. Brand Dana Anderson David A. Pelligrini David
Morey David S. Gustovich David Viele David W. Utter Dennis Delaney
Diana Kollevol Elizabeth Hills O'Leary Elizabeth Van Dyke Gary
Bartlett George Hirsch James Crawford James Turner Jane Remillard
Jason Lattimore Jay Remington Jeffrey A. & Christine M. Den
Herder Bart Joe Handelman John & Kim Allis John Kelly John
Chaplin Joseph L. Bolster, Jr. Joseph LeMay Josina Reddy Julie S.
Marden Karin J. Buchholz Katherine Ficks Keith Ferguson Kirk Salvo
Lara Kroepsch Larry Maltz Laurel & John Macartney Lawrence R.
Glenn Lindsay A. Pomeroy Louise Nicholson Howe Mark Lockenmeyer
Brian Mariscal Michael Pascuzzo Miriam Sample Murray Peyton Nancy
A. Crocker Paul G. Levy Peter Aberg Peter Carril Revel Sports Rich
Levandowski Richard M. D'Angelo Robert F. Hill Scott Denbo Sean
Sweeney Stephanie Curcuru Steven Caputo Suzanne Timmerman Tamir
Bloom Thomas Auth Paul Mark Richard Marshall Betty Ann
O'Shaughnessy Rita Tobin Stephen Yost Stuart Zimmerman Bryant
Pappas Gary Kenick Kevin Tobin Robert Gourley Robert Zenorini
Sherri Baggett Suzanne Sisolak Theresa Minervini Gerard McTigue KT
Tobin Kurt Sohn Namratha Devadas Raymond Cummings James Wrobel
Colleen McCullagh Matthew Camus Burgher Christopher Steve
Bennett
Volunteers and FriendsJanet & Pat Tobin, Mark Slonecker
& Julie Tschuiya, John Kelly, Victor Sailer, Dr. James
Stray-Gundersen, Hollie Stray-Gundersen, Jon Jessup, Skattum
Family, Ann Pascal, Ann Marden, Soren Thompson, Dan OBrien, Adam
Nelson, Wolfgang Schmidt, Johns Family, Kinsey Family , Tom
Jackovic, Troy & Ruth Flanagan, Sarah Cantwell, Nancy Felix
Contact UsWebsite: http://www.usathletictrust.org President:
Augie Wolf; [email protected]; 914- 400-8834 Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/UsAthleticTrust COO: Pat Tobin;
[email protected]; 914-522-3324 8 U.S. A T H L E T I C T R
U S T
