Robert Thomas

Robert Thomas hopes to succeed Jerry Bookin-Weiner (right) as USATF Masters T&F Committee chairman.

General December 2, 2024

Q&A’s with Robert Thomas Jr. and Mike Travers, USATF masters chair and treasurer candidates

Masters Hall of Famer Robert Thomas Jr. of Indiana, a world-class age-group quarter-miler until a few years ago, is poised to succeed Jerry Bookin-Weiner as USATF Masters T&F chairman at this week’s annual meeting in Orlando. In a frank Q&A, he says Mt. SAC withdrew as 2025 outdoor nationals host because of pricey per diems for Southern California Association officials. He also supports more masters drug-testing if the budget allows. And he reveals that USATF annual meetings will be remotely viewable beginning in 2025. Below Robert’s responses is a reply to some of my questions from incumbent USATF Masters T&F…

Colleen Barney takes steps at ANW's Universal Studios course while wearing her national masters uniform.

General December 1, 2024

Q&A with Colleen Barney: Masters T&F vice chair candidate is first to respond to our questions

W55 sprinter Colleen Barney, the retired Newport Beach probate attorney and “American Ninja Warrior” veteran, was judicious in responding to my candidate questions ahead of this week’s annual meeting in Orlando. The biggest revelation in the Q&A is her running for vice chair of USATF Masters T&F Committee on a slate with chair candidate Robert Thomas. She would succeed Robert as vice chair. Although I gave candidates a Dec. 1 deadline, I’d still post any responses I get in the next few days. In any case, join me in thanking Colleen for taking this effort seriously. Another eye-opener is her…

USATF field referee checks out shot put ring at American River College.

General July 17, 2024

Update: Olympic Trials starter is at Sacto nationals, with sloping shot put sector fixed just in time

I’m back! Not only blogging (for the first time in a year), but also competing at USATF masters nationals. We’re in Sacramento — at American River College, not Sac State like 2010 nationals and 2011 worlds. I couldn’t resist entering my umpteenth nationals at age 70. Today was arrival day for many. After 2 p.m., bib numbers (with names on one of a pair!) were handed out. Declarations were made for Thursday events. Sign-ups began for massage and chiro sessions ($60 for 20 minutes.) Weather was nice — mid-80s. (But no such luck the rest of the meet.) Shuttle hurdles…

M60 hurdler Jeff Brower , shown at 2005 masters nationals in Hawaii, has cleared most bureaucratic barriers as well.

General January 2, 2021

Jeff Brower steps down as masters records czar; modernized process for 6 years

For six years, Jeff Brower of Texas has been chair of the USATF Masters T&F records committee. He cleaned up a holy mess left by Sandy Pashkin, whose failures I noted over the years (including a 2006 post headlined “Sandy Pashkin, as roadblock to records, has to go.”) Sandy inherited an index-card system from Pete Mundle, a booger beyond belief. Jeff also helped update the MTF website, finally adopting a WordPress design. (Easier to use.) And in 2020, according to his annual report, Jeff didn’t take a dime from his $3,000 budget. Now Jeff is stepping down. Our fourth records…

Charlie Allie anchors America's gold-medal M65 4x100 relay team at Malaga.

General October 9, 2018

Special Report: Were rules broken for sake of Yanks’ record shot in Malaga 4×100?

I love records and record attempts. But should a chance at a WR trump rules at worlds? That’s a question being raised after Charles Allie dropped down from M70 to M65 at Malaga, causing a domino effect of anger and disappointment that reached into the M80 age group. On Friday, M70 sprinter Roger Pierce contacted me via Facebook to describe what he considered a debacle involving the 4×100 relays. Later I spoke with him on the phone, as well as Charlie. I also wrote George Haywood, another M65 relay member and teammate of Charlie’s. Phil Greenwald, longtime U.S. masters team…