WHERE DO I POLE VAULT WHEN SCHOOL IS OUT?

By EDDIE SEESE

The title of the article is a question that pole vaulters all over our country ask themselves every year. Every year we have the same problem. Summer arrives, the weather is perfect for vaulting and we have the time to practice, but the schools have stored the pits away until next season.

Most athletic directors and track coaches understand our problem and would like to help us but they can't. It's not that they don't want us to keep practicing - I'm sure they do. When I was in high school, we used the school's facilities all the time. At that time, the two biggest obstacles that now prevent pole vaulters from using the school's facilities didn't exist (liability lawsuits and rules limiting the time of year that a school can administer their program).

Don't stop reading yet because there is a simple solution to the problem - start a USA Track and Field Club. By doing so, you can acquire liability insurance for your club's coach, for the facility being used, and limited medical insurance for the club's athletes.

To begin the process, first call your USA Track and Field Association Office. If you don't know where your association office is then call USA Track and Field National Office at (317) 261-0500. Tell the National Office where you live and they will be able to provide the phone number of your association office. Ask your Association Office to send you the following forms: an Organization Membership Application, a Club Practice Insurance Application Form, USAT&F Membership Forms, and a Coach's Resume Form. Also ask what the association fees are, since the vary with each association.

After you have all the forms, it's time to approach those in charge of the facilities you wish to use. Explain that you would like to establish a USA T&F club at their facility and that the purpose of the club is to develop track and field in the area. Also assure them that you will have liability insurance for the club's practices and that they will be provided with a certificate of insurance. I find that it helps if your club commits to both maintaining the facility and improving it, if possible. If the school agrees, then fill out the forms and send the money in to your association. That's about it! Now it's time to have some fun. If you have any questions you can contact me at (707) 645-0200 (H), (707) 645-8555 (W), FAX (707) 645-0550, & E-mail prsport1@aol.com