Microsoft_Word_-_Proposal56

BROCAW BLAZERS
WOMEN’S DISTANCE

During the past 25 years many people have complained about the state of decline of distance
running in the United States and in particular our place on the world stage. A few have offered

astute observations and reasons regarding this demise and why it continues to occur. Fewer still
have tried to rectify the problem by providing solutions to problems such as funding, structured

In any given year, approximately 1,500 American athletes are qualified and training for the next
national championships and chasing the Olympic dream. Included in this group are 400 recent

college graduates faced with the daunting task of making the transition from a supportive
collegiate environment to the unstructured world of professional US track and field and cross
country. Up to 80% of these athletes fail to continue the pursuit of their athletic goals over a four

year period. The reason most of these athletes leave their sport is not due to a lack of ability or
desire but to the lack of an organized support structure.

While various opportunities and support have and continue to be available for men, America's
female distance runners remain disproportionately under supported and under funded. The

Brocaw Blazers, a youth cross country and distance team, is expanding to include post collegiate
female distance runners to address this particular need within the United States distance running
community.

The Brocaw Blazers Women’s Distance Program presents an innovative approach to distance
running in America and especially the Midwest. By providing a place to live and train and a

variety of support services to its members, the Women’s Distance Program offers an athlete
knowledgeable support and direction within the sport. Included in this support package will be a

community employment network developed to help athletes secure jobs, when necessary, which
would complement their training and competition schedules. Athletes will have access to world

class training and rehabilitation facilities, affordable housing opportunities, and convenient
means of traveling to competitions.

We are currently looking for help from our area to provide the athletes from the Women’s
Distance Program the necessary support in order to qualify for U.S. National and Olympic teams.

Financial support must come in many forms to make this program a reality. Donations, grants,
gifts-in-kind, and sponsorships will be solicited. Team and individual athlete sponsorships as

well as corporate and individual donations will be accepted. We are currently in the process of
getting 501(c)3 non-profit status for the group to make this process more financially feasible to

supporters of our program. The Brocaw Blazers will be sponsoring a cross country camp, at
least one track meet, as well as one road race to help fund the program. We need your help so
that these future national and international distance runners can become an important and

A training group of 10-15 athletes will be selected from qualified applicants by a committee
based on personal interviews, recommendations, individual motivation and commitment,

projected improvement, and ability to get along with others in a highly competitive yet positive
environment. The following are eligibility and performance guidelines for your information.

Qualified for NCAA Division I National Track & Field Championships
within previous two seasons, or

Qualified for USATF National Track & Field Championships within
previous two seasons, or
Placed in the top 20 at USATF Fall Cross Country Nationals or top 30

3,000m
3,000m Steeple

at either the USATF Winter CC Nationals or NCAA Division I Cross
Country Championships within the previous two years, or
Bettered performance guidelines within the most recent two years.
U.S. citizenship or proof of application for permanent resident status.

16:30.00
34:40.00

The Women’s Distance Program is geared for post collegiate athletes capable of competing at a
national and international level. Athletes will be required to consistently place in key national

championship races, with continued improvement toward qualifying for Olympic and World
Championship races.

The objectives and purposes of the Brocaw Blazers Women’s Distance Program are to:
1.

Create an opportunity for successful female college athletes to continue training beyond
their college years.

Provide an environment in which training can be the focus of those post-collegiate athletes
(without the financial necessity of working full-time or chasing after money in road races).

Develop a center for those athletes to train together as a team.
Incorporate the team members in local community activities to foster an excitement in

the sport of distance running, and motivate future distance runners.
Provide a positive training, living and learning environment conducive to improving
individual and team performance.

Provide member athletes with support in qualifying for U.S. National and Olympic teams.
Promote women’s distance running in the United States.

We are planning on the program being implemented by September 1, 2002. You can obtain
more information on the Brocaw Blazers on the web at http://www.brocawblazers.org/. I am available

to meet with you or your group to discuss different possibilities for support of the Brocaw
Blazers Women’s Distance Program.