Shannon Osika Awarded Second Memorial USATF Foundation Grant

by usatffadmin | Mar 30, 2020 | News

Middle distance runner Shannon Osika was recently awarded a second USATF Foundation Grant in memory of Frederick W. Lambert.  The original grant was made possible last year through the generous donation of Heidi Keefe, a dedicated friend and donor to the Foundation, and a friend of Foundation Director Mark Lambert.  Following Shannon’s amazing success and improvement in 2019, the Lambert family, Ms. Keefe and longtime friends of the Lambert family joined to increase and renew the grant.

Fred Lambert, who passed away in August of 2018, was a discus thrower and shot putter at the University of Michigan during the 1962-65 seasons, a period in which Michigan won three Big 10 Track & Field Championships. Fred was a native of New Jersey, where he was a multiple state champion in the shot and discus, setting the state record in the discus in 1961.

Mark Lambert reflected on his family’s continuing gratitude to Heidi for initiating the idea of a memorial grant last year: “Our ability to connect with my Dad’s memory through a sport that he loved, and by supporting Shannon as she pursues her goals, has been a silver lining for our family.  When we let our friends know about that connection, all were supportive, and a number of them joined us in continuing to back Shannon as she pursues her dreams.”

Shannon was originally selected for the grant in light of her University of Michigan career, her outstanding character and personal warmth, as well as her achievements and promise on the track.  In the 2019 season, Shannon slashed nearly 5 seconds off her personal best in the 1500 meters to 4:01.80, achieving the Olympic Qualifying standard and solidifying herself among the very best Americans in that discipline.  Based out of Ann Arbor, Shannon trains with True Blue Elite, a club composed of U of M track alums. Learning of the renewal of the memorial grant, Shannon remarked, “Words cannot adequately express how thankful I am to be supported by such an incredible group of people. To continue to be able to train and compete as a Memorial Grant recipient in honor of Fred Lambert fuels me every single day. Being supported by a grant initiated in Fred’s namesake represents a cross-generational thread that motivates me to not only train and compete at a higher level but to also carry-on this rich tradition of track and field here in Ann Arbor and inspire others to pursue their dreams post-college. I am eternally grateful for this community of supporters and consider the Lambert family, the grant contributors, and the USATF Foundation every bit as much a part of my team as anyone else.”

In addition to funding from Ms. Keefe, and the Lambert Family, significant additional contributions were provided by family friends Brian Patchen, Lucille Marcella, Scott and Laura Cooper and Nick Frontczak, totaling $12,600.  Recognizing the unprecedented developments and challenges presented to athletes like Shannon in light of the world health pandemic, Mark Lambert reflected, “we originally hoped this grant would fuel Shannon’s work in an Olympic year.  It is now our deepest hope that we can help Shannon stay connected to her training and in pursuit of her goals through these very hard times.”

USATF Foundation Assists Elite Athletes with Workout Equipment During Covid-19 Crisis

by usatffadmin | Mar 24, 2020 | News

The USATF Foundation and USATF are partnering in this time of need to donate funds for elite track & field athletes to purchase portable training equipment during the Covid-19 crisis.  Many states and/or local municipalities have placed restrictions on facilities where larger groups can gather, such as gyms and weight rooms directly affecting our athlete’s ability to remain dedicated to their training.

To assist in bridging the gap between now and when restrictions are lifted and normal weight room access can occur, funds will be allocated to each Tier and TPP athlete in the amount of $400 towards the purchase of portable weight training equipment to use at home or at the track.

“During this unfortunate crisis we want to give these athletes every opportunity to stay on top of their training while they focus on the next Olympic Games,” stated USATF Foundation CEO Tom Jackovic.

USA Track & Field Foundation announces 21 Youth Club Grant Recipients

by usatffadmin | Feb 27, 2020 | News

PITTSBURGH – The USA Track & Field Foundation Chairman Bob Greifeld and CEO Tom Jackovic announced today it has awarded 21 Youth Club Grants to track & field clubs throughout the country. The grants assist young male and female athletes with expenses such as travel to meets, equipment, uniforms and facility rental.

The Foundation encourages youth track clubs and programs from all areas of the United States to apply for financial assistance. The Foundation favors the use of grant money to expand existing youth programs/clubs, to provide additional competitive opportunities for children and to enhance the experience for all participants. Preference is given to clubs that are based in low-income areas. It also favors programs that have a history of solid financial management, multiple funding sources and community support. Allowable expenses include equipment, uniforms, meet fees, travel, facility rental, and outreach.

“We are excited to support these clubs and their young athletes. The future of the sport depends on youth participation, and we hope these grants help encourage it,” stated USATF Foundation Director Katherine Greifeld.

A total of $30,000 in grants have been awarded to the following youth clubs:

EMU Track Alumnus Sets Sights on 2020 Olympics in Tokyo

by usatffadmin | Feb 18, 2020 | News

Article reposted with permission from EMU Today.

Donald Scott (BA15) personifies the old adage “actions speak louder than words.”

Humble, grounded and without a trace of ego, Scott has quietly become one of the best triple-jump athletes in the United States—and the world. He excelled in the field event during his collegiate career at Eastern, where he set school and Mid-American Conference (MAC) records. He also won nine MAC titles and earned two NCAA All-American honors.

After college, Scott became a four-time national champion. He’s ranked 6th in the world by the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations). And he’s set another personal milestone by securing a coveted Adidas sponsorship.

Not bad for a relative late-comer to the triple jump. Scott, 27, says he began hitting his athletic stride during his junior year at Eastern.

“I became a student of the sport,” he says. “I just practiced what my coach preached.”

Now Scott’s aiming for a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team for 2020 Tokyo. Making the team would extend Eastern’s streak of 15 consecutive Summer Olympics with a representative from the men’s and women’s track programs.

Rough Start

Scott overcame challenging odds to reach lofty heights. Born in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., he grew up with his four sisters and younger brother in Apopka, near Orlando. Scott’s mother was in the picture intermittently; his father was in prison. Scott went into foster care briefly before moving in with relatives.

“Growing up was hard,” says Scott, who didn’t meet his father until he was 12. “But I still had mother and father figures in my life.”

Scott’s first love was football. He excelled as a wide receiver at Apopka High, where he also played volleyball and competed in track and field. Shawn Proffitt, the school’s track coach, encouraged Scott to compete in the triple jump, as well as sprints and hurdles.

“My coach was familiar with the proper movements for triple jump and taught me how to do it,” Scott says. “As it turned out, I was good at it.”

Among other honors, Scott became a two-time All-American in the 300 meter hurdles and triple jump, and was the 2009 USA Youth Triple Jump Champion.

College recruiters, however, were more interested in Scott’s football skills. He earned a full scholarship to Eastern and started at wide receiver as a freshman. Still, Scott wanted to continue competing in track and field. Coaches graciously allowed him to compete in both sports.

“I originally intended to become a pro football player,” says Scott, who earned a degree in Criminal Justice. “But by my junior year, I decided to turn my energies to the triple jump and see how far I could go.”

Under the tutelage of EMU Assistant Track Coach Sterling Roberts, Scott developed into an extraordinary triple jumper. As a senior, he finished 3rd in the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships and 2nd in the Indoor Championships.

“I’ve trusted Roberts since we began working together,” Scott says. “He’s taught me to remain calm when things don’t go my way. He believes in me and pushes me to be the best I can. We have a tight relationship and I’d love to have him as my coach until I retire.”

Working alongside Roberts, Scott’s ultimate goal is to win an Olympic medal. He fell short of making U.S. Olympic Team in 2016, finishing 7th at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

“I knew that my time would come,” Scott says of that disappointing finish. “I just felt I needed more experience.”

At Home in Ypsi

Scott continues honing his talents while chasing his Olympic dreams. In 2017, he won the USA Indoor Championships and finished third in the USA Outdoor Championships. Last year, Scott won the USA Outdoor Championships and earned a silver medal at the first Athletics World Cup in London. He also placed third in the IAAF Diamond League in Brussels.

In 2019, Scott won USA Indoor Track and Field Championships, and equaled his personal best of 17.74 meters to win the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

While other top track athletes might have left southeast Michigan to train in a more temperate climate, Scott has remained in Ypsilanti, where he served as a volunteer track and field coach at Eastern. Recently, he began coaching track athletes at Ann Arbor Huron High School. In 2018, he married Nyisha, a student at Washtenaw Community College. They recently welcomed their first child, a daughter named Anastasia.

Scott’s character and athletic abilities caught the attention of Dan McClory (BS81, MA82), a former track and cross country athlete at Eastern, member of the University’s Athletics’ Champions Advisory Board and longtime supporter of the EMU track and field program. He follows the sport closely as a board member of the USA Track & Field Foundation—the fundraising arm for the Olympic sport.

“I met Donald at various champion events and I’ve been fortunate to get to know him personally over time,” says McClory, managing director, head of equity capital markets and head of China for Boustead Securities, an investment banking firm located in Irvine, Calif.

In August, Scott was one of 25 recipients of a $25,000 Steven A. Schwarzman grant. The funding, administered by the USATF Foundation, provides financial support to athletes competing in the IAAF World Athletics Championships in late September in Doha, Qatar.

“The great majority of U.S. track athletes rely on grants like these to pay for expenses like travel, coaching, equipment and more,” McClory says. “These athletes are not only preparing themselves to compete, but also trying to support themselves financially.”

Before leaving for Doha, Scott reflected on his athletic goals and next summer’s U.S. Olympic Team trials. He spoke more about how winning an Olympic medal would impact others rather than how it would look in his trophy case.

“I just want to excel as an athlete as long as I can,” Scott says. “Winning a gold medal would be fantastic. It would be a great inspiration for the kids I’m coaching today.”

Andy Mantel Named to USATF Foundation Board of Directors

by usatffadmin | Feb 14, 2020 | News

PITTSBURGH – Andy Mantel has been named a Director of the USA Track & Field Foundation Board, USATF Foundation CEO Tom Jackovic and Chairman Bob Greifeld announced today.

Andy is Founder & CEO of Pacific Sun Advisors, an independent investment advisor based in Hong Kong with partner offices in China.  It specializes in both public and private alternative investments in Asia and its three main business lines consist of managed accounts, open-ended funds, and a wholly-owned mainland China asset management firm.  Its clients include institutions, family offices, and high net worth clients globally.

Andy has a B.A. in Economics from the University of California-Davis and a M.A. in International Relations from Hong Kong Polytechnic University – master’s thesis topic: China’s Financial System and Capital Markets.

“Andy has been a long-time friend of the USATF Foundation and we look forward to him making an even greater impact as a Director,” stated CEO Tom Jackovic.

Andy was all-conference in the Decathlon at UC-Davis, played semi-professional basketball in Hong Kong, and has completed the New York, Amsterdam, Beijing Great Wall, and Melbourne marathons.  He also completed the 100km MacLehose Trailwalker twice.  An avid sports fan, Andy also excelled at flag football and dice baseball as a youth while growing up in San Mateo County.

“Track and field was an important part of my life from junior high school up to my university days.  I found that being involved in athletics was a healthy way of life that opened many doors and also led to many long-lasting friendships.  I look forward to working with the other USATF Foundation Board members in helping athletes reach their full potential,” stated Mantel.