PoleVaultPower.com

How many times have you ever heard of a coach wanting to volunteer and give their time for free to help out a high school track team that does not have a pole vault coach and be turned away.

I recently talked to a parent of a female high school pole vaulter who told me his daughter jumped about 7' her first year at a school with no coach, but they had a guy who wanted to come volunteer and help out for free. This guy was a 5.15m pole vaulter and a 7600+ point decathlete. The problem is that the high school coaches and athletic director told him that he could not come out and help for free and there was too much liability. They don't even want him coming on the campus. The pole vaulters at this high school were told to watch YouTube videos and figure it out on their own.

Sound very "odd" to me. Could there have been other "issues" with this volunteer. Did he have his "clearances" or was he willing to get them? I might double check that story with the AD at the school. Just my .02

Dan

More likely state or district rules, that state you have to be an employee of the district to volunteer. I know schools need volunteers in every other aspect of education and you have to get background checked for sure. I am sure the liability in athletics scares anyone that has had to deal with a lawyer. Not knocking lawyers, got several I consider friends. Jesse, Bill, give me a pass here. I do get to volunteer at my boys elementary school as a watch DOGS "Dads of good students", that's pretty cool. I get to carry a walkie talkie and hand out stickers and pencils to good citizens and walk around the campus looking out for the bad guys.

Well I am almost certain it is not a state or district rule. I know several high school coaches all around the state that are volunteer pole vault coaches and do not even work in the school system. I also know several volunteer pole vault coaches in the same county... I emailed the coaches and AD for that school just to figure it out, because it really bugs me when it looks like people just say NO instead of actually looking into it.

Remember, there are always three sides to every story. His side, the schools side, and the truth.

I would talk to both sides before you draw any conclusions.

good morning,

i've had it happen even as a teacher at the school...
they didn't want to be obligated to buy poles... and I would have to do fund raisers… I was already doing fund raising for my Art program and didn't want to transfer that money to track.. so they said no… I did volunteer for the hurdles and long jump/triple jump.

dj

after gathering all sides of the story I found out that he was just turned away for this year because they asked so late in the season that they did not have time to go through all of the steps to become a volunteer for the school.

One thing I don't hear on this debate is volunteering to officiate meets. I think one of the great gaping holes in pole vault education and safety awareness, is the lack of qualified officials. USATF certification is fairly quick and painless and those that want to volunteer and really pitch in where vaulters need it the most is quality officiating. I would like to know how many of you concerned about not getting to coach, also volunteered to put the bar up at the meet you were at? How man have looked into getting certified and done it. How many missed opportunities to help a kid out happened when you were on the sidelines or in the bleachers bitching about not getting to coach. You could have been certified, checked the facilities, prepared for a competition and given the kids a chance to peform with an official with a love for the vault. You wont get high fived much, you will not be revisiting almost victories coaching. But, if you officiate an event, from head official to the guy that just holds the bar up when it gets a little windy, If you treat them with the respect you desired when you competed, if you give them an even field to compete in with encouragement, you will get to see great performances and so often now, a handshake and a thank you from the kids that just competed. If you really want to help and not just be a guy in the bleachers, step up, walk down and help run and make the event safe. Quit bitching and start pitching in. If you feel strongly about the rules and how they are written and enforced, get involved. Informed and involved vaulters and coaches helping with the officiating would be a great boon to any argument about what coaches can and cannot be on the field of competition.

Thats not cheap talk either, Brian has worked a million meets and always does a great job. There are lots of things we can all do to promote our sport.

Did he jump through all of the hoops? My first year volunteer coaching was my sophomore year in College at the local high school. Was in the education program there so I already had my background check, fingerprints, TB test, CPR/AED & First Aid certification etc...

I tired to volunteer a few months ago. The school insisted they put me on the payroll and required me to get a physical, immunization and FBI clearances before starting. I can understand their reasoning but they really make you jump through hoops. The worst thing is, they didn't even ask what my PV credentials were. To be honest, most coaches in this area have never vaulted and coach out of a book. Here I am, trying to help out and they almost drove me off with all the paperwork.
I'm all for some type of certification of PV coaches.

I didn't have to give blood samples, fingerprints, give away any of my inner most secrets. To be a USATF certified official, pass a general knowledge test and not be a felon or a threat to national security. There is a background check, hopefully all that read this post are not fearful, those that are need to haul a** now. If you did not run away, take the test, pass it and start helping. When you go to big meets and can't help but notice the age of the officials working the meet look like your grandparents, maybe it is time to step up and help, you could be the one that officiates the next event that produces a world recofd. or national record, or more importantly, maybe just a junior high record. That sets in motion a dedication to this track and field endeavor that leads to a world record. I politely ask you to get off your asses.