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Pacific Association Filing Grievance Over '12 OT Award
(letter from Pacific Association of USATF)
February 6, 2008
Mr. Bill Roe
President
USA Track & Field
One RCA Dome, Ste. 140
Indianapolis, IN 46225
Dear Bill,
On behalf of the Board of Athletics of the Pacific Association, this letter is to inform you of our intent to file a grievance against the individuals who were involved in the award procedure for the 2009, 2010, and 2011 Outdoor Track and Field Championships and the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Track and Field Trials.
As the largest Association in the United States, and one very familiar with the bidding process and the hosting of National Championships, we are extremely disappointed and concerned that our National leadership has permitted the procedure that resulted in the awarding of these championship events.The
process as it occurred raises significant questions with respect to the adherence to USATF regulations and the apparent disenfranchisement of our Committees for Open Men's and Women's Track and Field as well as our Athlete's Advisory Committee.
The award procedure also presents serious ethical issues with respect to the conduct of the National Staff, especially in light of Mr. Masback's resignation and his acceptance of an executive position with NIKE which occurred shortly after the award of the championship events. In the public sector at the State and Federal level, similar conduct is specifically proscribed with significant
sanctions for any violation. We believe that prohibitions may also exist in our organization with regard to the Internal Revenue Service and our not-for-profit 501(c)(3) status.
We are concerned that, unless the details of this awarding procedure are fully disclosed, the perception of conflict of interest will plague this organization. Given the intense scrutiny by the public, we believe that we must be scrupulously candid, or run the risk of loss of the public trust.
We are an organization that places the highest value on competition, believing that fair and equitable competition insures the best performance. Our regulations and bylaws were drafted to insure equality in order to guarantee that competition be fair. When rules are broken or bylaws ignored, equality is compromised and the benefits of fair competition are lost. We must strive to assure that our organization devotes every effort to preserve the advantage of fair competition. When we fail in that endeavor, we have abrogated our duty to the sport.
Respectfully,
John Mansoor
Executive Director
Pacific Association
USA Track & Field
cc: Board of Directors
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