Topic: Spreading The Word: Promoting Our Sport

[Anthony Tridico]

I certainly believe that weightlifting is very important and that more weightlifting people need to be available to coach the lifts.  The junior high and high schools are going to be of great importance.  Some of the big problems at this level is community education.  Alot of people think they understand what weightlifting and strength and conditioning is, but really they have no clue.  Many people think any type of lifting will make you big like bodybuilding and do not see it as a great means of health.  We all know this is ignorant, but we need people out there doing presentations with research as well as coaching technique.  Also,  there are so many sport coaches that do not understand weightlifting and all of the benefits for sport performance as well.  Sport coaches are not the experts, but as most of you know, its the mentality that everyone has done some type of lifting at home or at their local YMCA, and they know everything.  The weightlifting exercises are huge in my strength and conditioning program, but I see many high school programs where technique is not emphasized and the weight becomes the most important issue.  I think these things need to be addressed.  Let me know what you think.

Tony Tridico CSCS.
Titusville High School
Titusville PA 16354

[Michael Caravalho]

One of  the(many) problems trying to educate the schools or public about the training for WEIGHTLIFTING and the sport of WEIGHTLIFTING, is that WHO is going to do it ?    In the USA, the governing body is called USAW, but that organization is so small, with no marketing director & the budget so limited that there rarely has been much in the way of marketing or education for schools.   The problem is that is costs time & money.  Who is going to invest their time & money with minimal quick payback, other than recruiting lifters....but that is for the long haul, as it takes years for a WEIGHTLIFTER to reach his/her potential.    It can be done and has been done in spots here and there, by various people giving seminars, but on scale that is so infinestimally small that largely the public is unaware of the sport of WEIGHTLIFTING here in USA.  USAW has the CLUB COACHES courses, but those classes are not really advertised to schools....one has to go to the USAW website or find out by word of mouth, somehow.  (good luck on that)

The youth is the key to the future of USA WEIGHTLIFTING.  Right now,  there are no national programs to reach the children that I have ever heard about.  And,  don't think there ever was or ever will be.   :shock:  So, the results of our lifters in OLYMPIC GAMES & WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS are basically what one would expect....which is = no expectations = no medals in 2004.

[Terry Thompson]

Mr. Tridico,...Mr. Caravalho,...Mr Janz:

~~ I sincerely believe USAW should RESEARCH the procedures/ expenses/ manpower that would be required to get WL started as a High School Intramural (varsity) Sport in the lower 48 states.  I believe this is the SINGLE MOST cost-effective way to get: BIG NUMBERS of young, quality athletes AND their parents involved in this Sport.  
~~ You'd need to do it like other H.S. Varsity Sports:  have a "Regular Season," terminating in an Annual State Championships.  High School kids LOVE tangible rewards!  Award CHEAP gold/silver/bronze medals for snatch, C+J, & Totals at EVERY meet!  Not to forget g/s/b medals for best #4# Lifters (for both sexes), AND Best Lifters (Sinclair Formula).
~~ Junior Worlds?  Heck, we'd probably medal in half-a-dozen classes, the 1st year!

[Anthony Tridico]

Hi Mr. Thompson,

I think those are very good points.  I believe that the junior high and high schools are very important.  Money is tight in school districts, but smart fundraising and educational presentations would be very necessary for communities, because the use of free weights in the general population is not well understood.  I think the USAW group and the NSCA will be very important, and pulling these coaches together who are using the weightlifting exercises will need to be one of the first steps in the process.  I certainly am up for being a part of a group that wishes to move this concept forward.  

Mr. Janz,

Let me know if you are going to the NSCA National Conference.  We need to try to get together.

Tony Tridico CSCS
Titusville High School
Titusville, Pennsylvania

[Paul LaDuke]

Tony,

I will be at the PA Strength and Conditioning Conference for Friday only.  I would like to speak with you about this topic and the possibility of instituting weightlifting as a sport in PA.

[Anthony Tridico]

Hi Paul,

I look forward to seeing you on Friday June 10th.  Take care.

Tony