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June 9, 2006
Open Letter to US Speedskating
It's no secret that US Speedskating is going through a challenging period. As many OZ readers are aware, since the season ended, the departures of the executive director, PR director, short track program director, and national coaches for both short track and long track have been announced.
The athletes are working in a variety of ways to voice their opinions to the board in hopes of having their concerns addressed. What follows is one such effort, shared here in a constructive and hopeful attitude and with a goal of reaching as many interested parties (athletes, USS members, fans) as possible:
Dear US Speedskating,
I know that you are in the process of choosing an Executive Director, Program Director and Head Coach and eventually an Assistant Coach for Short Track along with other positions in Long Track. The National Short Track Team athletes have provided USS a few ideas behind the requirements of a head coach and the importance of these qualities for the success of the team leading up to the Olympics in Vancouver and beyond. I know that you will respect their needs in effort to find the best coach for team performance.
Beyond that, I personally want to voice my opinion regarding the importance of the Executive Director. This position is the most important position in the organization and certain qualities need to be focused on in order to take the organization to the next level. Reshuffling the deck should not be an option to consider. I'm not sure if USS has strategically thought of this position concerning the requirements and more importantly the qualities that the Executive Director should possess. Sometimes it's difficult to analyze yourself and the organization that you're a part of and I hope you consider my suggestions from a business perspective. We don't only need money and sponsors, but a hard-to-find level of leadership that fosters a culture of collaboration and mutual trust.
Suggestions are:
1. The Executive Director should have experience in managing a multi-faceted organization (High level of education required) with strong problem solving skills and has experience in a shared governance environment.
2. Executive Director must possess the experience and knowledge to help reconstruct the current culture of mistrust, dysfunction and disrespect.
3. The Executive Director should have experience and knowledge in working with Board of Directors.
4. The Executive Director must be able to facilitate a culture of collaboration with athletes, sponsors, local organizers, clubs, and with the USOC.
5. The Executive Director should have experience in building and retaining strong inter and intra personal relationships with stakeholders that create lasting partnerships.
6. The Executive Director must be able to build trust, loyalty and dedication within the organization and the athletes it represents.
7. The Executive Director needs to have a track record of successful team building within a dynamically changing environment.
8. The Executive Director needs to have the ability to cultivate relationships and possess the awareness and sensitivity to understand the expectations that sponsors require.
9. The Executive Director should be held to the highest standards of business practices and public relations while representing USS so that the organization becomes a model of successful collaboration that exceeds the needs of its athletes, sponsors and stakeholders that other NGB's can emulate.
Thank you for allowing me to express my comments. I hope that you will consider creating a strong screening process for your applicants and wish you luck in the process. I feel it is very important that the organization finds an individual that has the right amount of business experience, without sacrificing other intangible qualities such as team and relationship building. Please feel free to contact me anytime regarding any assistance I may be able to offer. I remain hopeful that the organization can recruit an individual that not only meets the needs of the organization, but the athletes as well.
Respectfully Submitted,
Allison Baver, 2002 and 2006 Olympic Team
Posted by noelle at 6:08 PM | Comments (32)
Looking for a sign
"I don't know what I'll do. I'm looking for some kind of a sign to point me on which path to go. That's what I'm looking for right now."
-- Apolo Anton Ohno on whether he'll continue skating, as quoted by USA Today, 5/16/06
Could these be the signs Apolo has been looking for?!
signs by stella, via MT
Posted by noelle at 9:01 AM | Comments (69)
June 8, 2006
Honors for USOEC peeps
Congrats to Kimberly Derrick, who has been named 2005-06 U.S. Olympic Education Center Athlete of the Year! This is a well-deserved honor - I doubt anyone who was watching will forget Kimberly's courageous performance in Torino the night after her grandfather passed away.
Congratulations as well to USOEC coach Jimmy Jang, recently nominated by the USOC as Developmental Coach of the Year.
Posted by noelle at 2:44 PM | Comments (8)
June 7, 2006
Tiggie's Nikkei Concerns event report and pics
Thank you, Tiggie, for sharing your photos and heartwarming memories of your Nikkei Concerns experience!
Apolo at the Nikkei Concerns event
First of all, a big thank you to Apolo and Mr. Ohno for being the most gracious, warm, and generous hosts -- we all had a wonderful and unforgettable evening with you! I think most who attended have Nikkei elders we love and care about -- no matter where they are -- and that made the evening especially meaningful, and I applaud Nikkei Concerns and all their dedicated, caring work. Thank you to everyone at Nikkei Concerns (especially Darlene Suyematsu and MaryAnn Arnone) who worked so hard to make this event a success!
There were many touching moments during the reception, especially a presentation by Beacon Hill Elementary School. Some kids and staff presented Apolo with a giant collage of student drawings, writings, and Olympic pics of Apolo, with "You're Our Inspiration! Thank You Apolo!" Also, a beautiful 90 year old Nikkei lady presented thank you gifts to Apolo and Mr. Ohno -- the most exquisite and painstakingly intricate, handmade Japanese art (I'm sorry I don't remember what they're called). We all were impressed and very moved.
After the reception, a professional photographer took a pic of each of the dinner attendees with Apolo, and I asked Mr. Ohno if he would be in my pic. I was so thrilled, awed, and deeply honored to be standing next to Apolo and Mr. Ohno in Seattle, that my lips were quivering with emotion -- I hope that doesn't show in the pic! Our gift was a lovely engraved picture frame with Apolo's autograph and the date commemorating the event. I will send the pic to Noelle when I get it.
The dinner was a fabulous five-course meal (thank you Jerry & Susan Brahm), during which Apolo and Mr. Ohno rotated from table to table with each course. Apolo was at my table for the second course, which was Wild Field Greens, Warmed Bleu Cheese Crouton, Lobster and Grapefruit Dressing. Of course, being in the Ohno Force Field, I don't even remember eating. As I was sitting at the end of the table, it was hard for me to hear most of the discussions, except for one woman who kept throwing questions to ME, as if I were president of Apolo's fan club. Dessert was "Champion on Ice" with real edible GOLD! I enjoyed meeting and talking with so many nice people at the event, especially brothers Herb and Jack (Herb is a successful playwright and actor), and Christine.
After dinner, I waited for a moment when Apolo had finished talking with some people, to go up to his table and ask if he could sign some things. I had planned to just have him sign, thank him, and go back to my table, but what amazingly evolved was an actual one-on-one conversation with Apolo! I still find it hard to believe -- like, did that really happen??? As I am very shy, I think the most I've ever said to him is, "Congratulations!" and "Thank you for inspiring us." While talking with Apolo, despite being in the OFF, I managed a few remarks, but I refrained from asking any questions. I didn't want to be intrusive, and I figured he must be tired of answering questions, although he never showed it. Whenever I heard him responding to the same old questions, he always put 110% into making it fresh, so you would never guess he had been asked that same question over and over again. During the course of our conversation, I will never forget the passion and intensity with which Apolo spoke about a number of different topics, his thoughtful reflection, the endearing and childlike way he wondered about some things, his adorable anecdotes, his humility, and those stunningly gorgeous, warm and soulful eyes that look directly at you when he's talking or listening to you. I think this was one of those instances where how beautiful Apolo looks was eclipsed by how beautiful Apolo is.
Thank you Apolo and Mr. Ohno for the honor of your most charming company, for the opportunity to be a part of such a wonderful cause, for a memorable evening filled with much joy and Nikkei spirit.
Posted by noelle at 8:49 PM | Comments (23)
Time for Kids | Math moves speed skating star via Smoky Mountain Sentinel
This is a nice interview by a 12 year old TFK reporter at Apolo's MathMovesU press conference in Washington, DC.
Posted by noelle at 9:36 AM | Comments (7)
June 6, 2006
Nikkei Concerns pics and event report from Melody
Many thanks to Melody for sending in her photos and a report from her evening in Seattle with Apolo, Yuki and Nikkei Concerns. Read on!
Melody and Apolo
I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Nikkei Concerns "Evening with Apolo Anton Ohno." There was a cancellation for the private dinner, so I was able to attend that as well! It was truly a magical evening, and I'm very grateful to Nikkei Concerns and Apolo and Yuki Ohno for hosting this amazing event.
Apolo sat at a different table for each course of the meal, and during dessert he sat right across from me! I was able to talk to him quite a bit, more than I even expected. He is truly one of the nicest and most gracious people I've ever met. His dad is equally nice. I also really enjoyed meeting all the other people at my table. It was a really friendly group, and I had a wonderful time getting to know them all.
I heard about this event on the Ohno Zone, so thank you so much for providing the information! It's hard now to think of Apolo as a celebrity, because he is such a sincere, real person. I am an aspiring musician, and I have found Apolo to be such an inspiration to achieve my dreams. And he's even more inspiring in person!
Melody and Apolo
Posted by noelle at 9:37 PM | Comments (28)
Los Angeles Times | Will Ohno Go Out in Blades of Glory?
Short-track speedskating star Apolo Anton Ohno can break his deadlock for the U.S. men's Winter Olympics medals record with former long-track speedskater Eric Heiden if he wins his sixth at Vancouver in 2010. But that's not a done deal.
He said he has signed with a Hollywood production company and moved to Los Angeles. "I love being on film. I have no acting skills — but I've never had training in acting, either."
Sounds like the perfect time for "Ice Castles II: Hot Bladed." Move over, Robbie Benson.
Posted by noelle at 9:22 AM | Comments (32)
June 5, 2006
Apolo victorious
Thanks to Paola in Italy for sending along this awesome shot of Apolo acknowledging the crowd after winning his 500m gold in Torino.
Posted by noelle at 7:50 PM | Comments (18)
Derrick Campbell will leave USS
Sad but not surprising news to report: Derrick Campbell informed USS this morning that he will leave his position as short track managing director.
I know skaters and fans alike will be sorry to see him go. Thanks for 2 great years, Derrick, and best wishes in your future endeavors!
Posted by noelle at 12:56 PM | Comments (32)