Topic: I'm Losing My Weightlifters...

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

Andy,

To each his own. Values are subjective. But, I see no reason to bring kids into this sport. There is no realistic hope of them earning a decent living at it or going to the Olympics. The sport has nothing to offer except health benefits, which could be attained by using it to train for another sport. I'd actually say, from my value-set, it would be immoral to bring kids into the USAW, since they WILL be treated like crap eventually.

[Andy Dick]

That may be, but at the same time it is still a great sport.  If I can maybe give a kid a sport they can enjoy or enjoy later in life then it is worth it (while at the same time improving sport performance).  I still feel you love the sport that you invested so much time into but the system is broken.  It may never be a sport that garners much fame or fortune but it is fun.  There are many such sports that one cannot make a career soely on but there are also many lifters who lift for the love of the sport.  Heck I would say most of those on this site are just that.  We are guys and girls with other jobs but still love to lift.  These are the true characters who find the time to improve and make it happen.

I do not fault you.  USAW has screwed with you and screwed you every which way from Sunday and plus some.  I know it is a horribly broken system.  But I do not lift for the sake of USAW and to make USAW great.  I also am not trying to change your mind I am just saddened that they have destroyed the sport you used to love so and destroyed it for you and so many others.

[Arturo Gómez]

Try to organize a weightlifting time in a not especifically weightlifting organization, is similar to joint water and oleoum. Very hard.

I think that is possible a talk with the other coaches, to limite the process, but the results depende of how much the club or school needs of weightlifting or of your personal political support. And is very estenuante.

If there is no money involved, I think the best stay with the really compromised people, and do well with them.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

Andy, I wouldn't say they have destroyed the sport, just damaged it very badly. I want the USAW to collapse, to get no Olympic slots and go bankrupt. Once their monopoly on Olympic slots is gone or worthless, there would logically be a much better chance of a competing organization rising. As long as the USAW has a monopoly granted by government on picking Olympic slots, they will treat people badly and lift like crap.

[Albert B. Gonzalez]

Andy,

To each his own. Values are subjective. But, I see no reason to bring kids into this sport. There is no realistic hope of them earning a decent living at it or going to the Olympics. The sport has nothing to offer except health benefits, which could be attained by using it to train for another sport. I'd actually say, from my value-set, it would be immoral to bring kids into the USAW, since they WILL be treated like crap eventually.

chris, " no realistic hope of going to the olympics" ?,  ouch.

[Andy Dick]

Arturo, I would agree with Chris on that.  We are not producing good enough lifters to win slots.  So we are really not able to send but 1 or 2 guys.  I will not get into a discussion on why that is because it doesn't really pertain here.  But when it is that limited it limits the chance for guys to go (ie bergner).

I had a bit of a talk with head S&C coach today and he told me to not really worry about it.  He said in his mind it is best left to sport performance, if the guys want to run track to encourage them to do so since it is an actual school sport.  If they don't really want to run track try to disuade them some by saying there are other options but do not outright tell them not to do track or talk badly about the program.  The oly team is mainly for guys not interested in a spring sport.  I can live with that decision.

[eli]

We are out of Marquette University High School...

Eli you located in the Milwaukee area I am always looking for fellow lifters?

Hi Andy,
I've heard that school is excellent. I live north of Milwaukee but I work near Glendale.   I lifted three years or so in college, which was like ten years ago, and I did not aspire to much as a lifter other than reaching a 300lbs clean and jerk, which I did a few times in the 77s.   I have a pretty good eye for technique, but I'm not good with writing programs.   Mostly I just do general strength training but if I have access to equipment sometimes I will do a little oly lifting.   I started doing some front squats lately, really would like to bring them up.   Maybe we can meet up sometime? 

[Andy Dick]

You work near my old stomping ground, I grew up in Whitefish Bay.  We should for sure get together.  Until April I will be pretty much tied up since we are in our Powerlifting program and we have meets on many weekends.  But after that most weekends are available.  300lb c&J is good for a 77, its more than I have ever done at the 3 weight classes I've been in lol.