by Trixie | Jan 8, 2024 | News
PITTSBURGH, PA –
The USATF Foundation continues its commitment to supporting athlete-mothers in their return to competition by awarding a $5,000 Maternity Grant to Olympian Abbey Cooper (D’Agostino).
Abbey Cooper, sponsored by New Balance, has made significant stride in the world of distance running, notably representing the U.S. in the 2016 Olympics in the 5,000m and serving as the alternate for Tokyo after an impressive fourth-place finish at the Olympic Trials in the 5,000m. She ran a personal record-setting 5,000m run of 14:52.37 at the Prefontaine Classic in 2021, which ranked her 5th in the nation that year. Cooper and her husband welcomed their daughter into the world earlier this year in January, and now she embraces the role of a mother to an 11-month-old baby girl.
“I am deeply thankful to the USATF Foundation for their generous support during this transformative period in my life. This grant will assist in managing the associated costs of pregnancy and postpartum care, allowing me to dedicate myself fully to both my new role as a mother and my athletic training as I prepare for future competitions,” says Cooper.
Beyond her Olympic pursuits, Cooper holds an impressive collegiate legacy, being a seven-time D1 NCAA champion and making history as the first Ivy League athlete, male or female, to secure an NCAA Cross Country National Championship. Abbey was also the first female distance runner at Dartmouth College to claim an NCAA title.
The USATF Foundation Maternity Grant provides the financial stability needed for athletes to focus on their own health and recovery as they transition back into competition. This support ensures that athletes with the potential to represent Team USA are given opportunities to flourish both on and off the track.
The USATF Foundation is currently accepting Maternity Grant applications at www.usatffoundation.org for pregnant mothers or those recovering from childbirth up to 12 months post-birth.
by Trixie | Nov 22, 2023 | News
PITTSBURGH, PA –
The USA Track & Field Foundation is currently accepting Youth Grant applications from interested clubs and organizations for its 2024 Youth Grant awards, announced USATF Foundation CEO Tom Jackovic.
Youth track clubs and programs from all areas of the United States are encouraged to apply. 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.
Interested parties may fill out the USATF Foundation grant application online at: https://usatffoundation.org/grant-info/applications/youth-club-grant-application/
The grant application deadline is January 31th, 2024. Grants will be awarded in February. Grantees will be contacted directly if they should be selected. The USATF Foundation has awarded over $1,000,000 in Youth Club Grants since 2006.
by Trixie | Oct 30, 2023 | News
BOSTON, MA –
The USATF Foundation in partnership with the Burgess Family Foundation are pleased to announce the establishment of the Dr. Donald Burgess scholarship to the Emerging Elites club based in Boston. Dr. Burgess was a Boston Public School educator/administrator, and track and football coach. He was a former president of the Massachusetts State Track and Field Coaches Association (MSTCA) and was inducted into the MSTCA Hall of Fame in 2002. The scholarship will provide deserving youth from the Boston Public School system with funding to attend the world-class youth training programs of the Emerging Elites club.
Under the leadership of Head Coach Fred Treseler, Emerging Elites athletes have found success on many levels from high school to college and beyond. Emerging Elites athletes have won 9 NCAA championships (Division I: 1 Cross Country, 4 Indoor and 2 Outdoor Track titles and Division III: 1 Indoor and 1 Outdoor Track titles) and earned multiple All-American and Academic All-American honors. Additionally, three Emerging Elites athletes have qualified for the US Olympic Trials (2012, 2016 and 2020) with one athlete earning a US Olympic spot for Rio 2016.
John Burgess, a Director at the USATF Foundation and the Burgess Family Foundation, commented “We are excited to partner with both the USATF Foundation and the Emerging Elites Track Club to offer the opportunity for a talented track and field athlete from the Boston Public Schools with access to world-class coaching, mentoring and training of the Emerging Elites club.” Fred Treseler added, “Boston has a strong running community and we want to support the next generation of athletes who aspire to represent Boston on a regional and national level. It’s quite an honor to have this scholarship named for Don Burgess. I witnessed his transformative leadership to empower Boston Public School students to find meaningful ways to support their academic and personal growth, both in the classroom and on the track. As a high school coach at the time, I have fond memories and tremendous respect for Don Burgess’s leadership as an educator, coach and administrator. He made a difference for so many student athletes and we look forward to carrying that spirit forward.”
Athletes who are interested in learning more about the Emerging Elites Club are encouraged to visit: www.emergingelites.com or follow the club on Instagram. The Emerging Elites club trains year-round and offers four seasonal programs to support long-term athlete development in a sustainable and structured system. Club training sessions are held year-round at facilities including the Chestnut Hill Reservoir and Heartbreak Hill. During the indoor season, training sessions are held at Boston University and MIT indoor tracks.
by Trixie | Oct 19, 2023 | News
PITTSBURGH, PA –
The USA Track & Field Foundation CEO, Tom Jackovic and Chairman, Bob Greifeld are excited to unveil that three elite athletes have been awarded Adopt an Athlete grants from two generous donors. Clayton Young will receive a $10,000 grant funded by Tony Marsh, brother of Foundation Director John Marsh. Additionally, Shae Anderson and Brock Eager will receive a grant of $10,000 each from an undisclosed donor. This support will hopefully strengthen their ability to reach their full potential and proudly represent Team USA in the future.
Growing up in Utah, Clayton Young received the honor of the Utah Gatorade Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year two separate times. In 2019, he won the NCAA National Championship in the 10k. During his time at BYU, he became an 8x All-American and graduated with a master’s degree in mechanical engineering. Young is also a 4x USA Road National Champion and is an ASICS athlete. Clayton recently finished 7th in the Chicago Marathon running 2:08:00 which dipped under the Paris Olympics qualifying standard. Clayton and his wife Ashley have two daughters, Lucy and Jenna.
“I am incredibly grateful to be awarded the Adopt an Athlete grant. The award comes at a perfect time when I am dialing in all of my training for this upcoming Olympic year. I look forward to developing relationships and sharing an inside look with those who were generous in helping me reach my goals” shared Young.
A California native, Shae Anderson won her high school 2017 State Championships in both the 400m and 300m hurdles, which helped her earn the 2016-17 California Gatorade Girls Track and Field Athlete of the year title. Some of her most memorable performances include winning gold in the 4x400m relay for the IAAF U20 Championships in 2018 and setting a personal best in the final round of the 400m in the U.S. Olympic Trials. This performance earned her a spot in the relay pool for the Tokyo Olympics. Anderson began at the University of Oregon and transferred to the University of California, Los Angeles where she broke several school records and climbed to the top of the NCAA rankings. Newly graduated, Anderson has her full focus on putting her name at the top of the competition.
“Thank you so much USATF Foundation for this grant! This will help me with my financial needs while in pursuit of making my second US Olympic team this upcoming year!” expressed Anderson.
Hammer thrower Brock Eager was born in Washington and attended Washington State University. He won his high school State Championships his senior year and earned his first elite title at the Iron Wood Throws Classic earlier this year. Dominating his conference, he was the PAC-12 champion in both 2017 and 2019. Eager took 4th at the 2023 USATF Outdoor Championships and 6th at the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials. He has a personal best of 76.58m and is a member of the Iron Wood Throws Club.
“Having this grant will allow me to put more time and effort into the sport that I love and be able to compete at a higher level. I am greatly blessed with this opportunity and can’t be thankful enough” exclaimed Eager.
With the Paris Olympics fast approaching in Summer 2024, efforts such as these are what pave the way for athletes to truly shine on the World’s biggest stage. The USATF Foundation’s Adopt an Athlete program can be a relief from the stress of weekly expenses and allow the athlete to focus on other priorities to maintain their fitness. This program offers donors an opportunity to provide financial support directly to their chosen event discipline.
by Trixie | Oct 13, 2023 | News
COLUMBUS, OHIO–
Accomplished Team USA Olympic shot putter Adelaide Aquilla joined forces with the Healthy Kids Running Series (HKRS) at recent USATF Foundation sponsored Run With US! events to provide an inspiring and empowering experience for young athletes. In a heartwarming display of mentorship and motivation, Adelaide made a profound impact during her participation in two appearances arranged by the Upper Arlington and Powell, Ohio clubs.
During her visit, Adelaide conducted pre-race stretching sessions, kicked off the races and provided enthusiastic encouragement to all the participants. She also went the extra mile by running alongside a young girl, offering motivation to ensure she crossed the finish line.
The USATF Foundation continues to partner with HKRS to provide these unique opportunities to young track & field athletes with several similar events planned for 2024.
by Trixie | Oct 10, 2023 | News
PITTSBURGH –
The USA Track & Field Foundation is excited to announce the appointment of Jane and David Ott to its Board of Directors. The Ott’s bring a wealth of experience in athletics and coaching, further enhancing the Foundation’s mission to support track and field programs, mentor athletes and foster youth development.
“Jane and Dave have been giving back to the sport for many years. We are fortunate they will now be bringing that passion for Track & Field to our Board,” stated USATF Foundation CEO Tom Jackovic.
Jane Ott served as the Varsity Track Coach and Assistant Cross-Country Coach for Darien High School in Connecticut from 2013 to 2022. She competed in Cross-Country and Track & Field for the University of Pennsylvania, where she captained the 1986 Cross-Country team. Jane’s deep involvement in the sports community extends to her roles on the Board of the Armory Foundation, the University of Pennsylvania Athletics Board of Advisors, and the Women’s Running Coaches Collective Advisory Council. She has a particular interest in issues involving female athlete health.
David Ott, a Co-Founder and Advisory Director of Viking Global Investors, competed in Cross-Country and Track & Field for the University of Pennsylvania and continues to participate in Masters road races and track meets. David also dedicated over a decade to coaching for Darien High School, making him well-versed in the development of young athletes.
David and Jane join a distinguished group of individuals who share a common goal: to empower the next generation of track and field athletes in achieving their dreams. They commented, “Track & Field is not only a great sport, but it’s the right sport for our times. It’s a diverse sport with opportunities available for males and females from all economic backgrounds. And it’s the most inclusive sport; whatever your shape or size, there is an event for you! We’re honored to support the USATF Foundation’s mission to enable today’s youth to have a rewarding experience in track & field like we have had.”
