Volume 96 | January 2019 Dow nload a PDF of this new sletter here! The OTC and TrackTown ​​Loses a Good Friend and Leader Barbara Kousky, a driving force in the Oregon Track Club, passed away on December 17. Barbara was a tireless volunteer and leader in the OTC for decades. Her good friend and former business partner, Tom Jordan, shared this tribute: Dedicated, selfless, intense, warm, and loyal – with the passing of Barbara Kousky, the Oregon track and field community has lost one of its brightest lights. From her time as president of the OTC Masters, to several terms Barbara Kousky as USA Track & Field Masters Chair, to a 20-year partnership in Northwest Event Management, to extensive volunteer work in every aspect of track and field and in the community, Barbara gave her all to every endeavor. It was my great privilege to be Barbara's business partner in Northwest Event Management for 20 years, and her friend for far longer than that. She brought her high standard of excellence to all of the events we helped organize -- two USA Championships, three National Masters Championships, one World Veterans' Championships, 13 Butte to Butte events, the 2004 Junior Olympics, and the 2008 Olympic Trials, our last event together. Our first event was the World Veterans' Championships (now called the World Masters Championships) in 1989, still the largest participatory track and field event ever held at Hayward Field. Just under 5,000 athletes competed over two weeks, and for years after, Masters athletes around the world spoke of Eugene in '89 with fondness. Helping us every step of the way was Barbara’s husband Ed, who really was a third partner in all of the events. He and Barbara were devoted to each other, and made a great team together. As much as she will be missed by her family and many friends, after many months of declining health, Barbara is in a better place. And she will always have a place in our hearts. ---Tom Jordan “Barbara was one of the most special “I'm so grateful to have collaborated with people I've ever met. The very best parts of Barbara. Her counsel was sound, her work TrackTown USA have her fingerprints on ethic was unmatched, and her warmth was them and her legacy is enduring.” uplifting. The fabric of TrackTown is forever strengthened by her many contributions.” Vin Lananna Michael Reilly OTC Annual Dinner Meeting Features Food, Fun, and Awards The annual Oregon Track Club Dinner and Business Meeting will be held Tuesday, February 12 in The Club Room at Autzen Stadium. The meeting kicks off the Club’s 61st year of supporting track and field, fitness, and community service. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. and OTC will host a buffet dinner starting at 5:30 p.m. A brief business meeting will follow the dinner. All current (2019) OTC adult members are invited to attend the dinner and meeting. Members will receive an email invitation the week of January 14 with an easy RSVP reply process. The dinner portion of the evening is limited to the first 330 members who respond to the RSVP by February 4th. The business meeting will include the election of the Board of Directors, 2019 budget approval, the Reske and Brathwaite Award presentations, updates on the UO track and field program and OTC Elite programs. The featured speaker will be announced in the February newsletter. Sandy Pashkin Selected To USATF Hall of Fame Longtime OTC member and volunteer, Sandy Pashkin, was selected for the USA Track & Field Masters Hall of Fame. Pashkin, a 17-year OTC member, is being recognized for her almost six-decade contribution to the sport of track and field and as an administrator for Masters activities at the local, national, and international levels. Read the full article Sandy Pashkin proudly shows her Masters Hall of Fame certificate at the USATF Convention held recently in Columbus, OH. Pre’s Trail Hearing Set for January 24 The City of Eugene Historic Review Board will hold a public hearing on Thursday, January 24 and possibly decide on designating the Steve Prefontaine Trail (Pre’s Trail), a city historic landmark. The hearing is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m in the Sloat Room in the Atrium Building located at 99 West 10th Avenue. For more information on the application or to submit testimony, contact: Rodney Bohner, Assistant Planner Eugene Planning Division, Land Use Planning 99 West 10th Avenue, Eugene Oregon 97401 541-682-5437 [email protected] Read the full article In Memory Gerald (Jerry) Jackson January 31, 1943 - November 23, 2018 Jerry Jackson passed away at age 75 after a battle with cancer. Jackson was a longtime OTC member and a track and field official for 48 years. He was also a member of the OTC Board of Directors. He served as a starter at Hayward Field and head of the hurdles crew. He was a Certified USATF Official and was selected to work six track and field Olympic Trials. Gerald (Jerry) Jerry was born and raised in Aberdeen, WA. He was stationed in the San Jackson Francisco Bay Area and Hawaii while serving in the U.S. Navy. He took great pride in his military service and he fell in love with the Bay Area. He was a diehard 49ers, Giants baseball, and Duck fan. Jackson and his wife Penny moved to Springfield in 1966. Jerry began a career with Weyerhaeuser where he worked for 38 years until his retirement. The Jackson family was recently inducted into the Springfield High School (Oregon) Hall of Fame. The Ambassadors for Kids honor was also presented to the family. The recognition was for their long-standing commitment to community volunteerism. Jerry loved to volunteer at local high schools during track season and encouraged his family to do the same. Jackson is survived by his wife Penny, his sons Michael and Matthew, granddaughter Marissa, and his sister Mary Ann. The family would like to thank the caregivers at the Pete Moore Hospice House for their efforts and dedication during Jerry’s excellent care. Club Officers Approved by Board The Oregon Track Club Board of Directors recently approved the Club’s officers for 2019. The officers are: • President: Kevin Marbury • Senior Vice President: Erin Regali • Vice President-Membership Services: Ian Dobson • Vice President-Events: Maureen Pollock • Secretary: Jeanne Kofranek • Treasurer: Molly Wildman Read the full article USATF Selects Local Officials The USA Track & Field Association (USATF) recently selected the officials who will officiate three 2019 USATF national meets. Several Hayward Field officials were among those selected. Several hundred USATF certified officials applied to work these high profile meets: USATF Indoor Championships, February 22-24, Staten Island, NY USATF U20 Outdoor Championships (under 20 years old), June 21-23, site TBA USATF Senior Outdoor Championships, July 25-28, Des Moines, IA Go here to see a list of the local officials selected. Registration Open For Butte to Butte Happy New Year! It is time to start preparing for the 46th Annual Aquafina OTC Butte to Butte. As always, this regional classic is on the Fourth of July, a Thursday this year. The race courses will remain the same as in the past few years, with a fabulous finish and post-race celebration at the 5th Street Public Market. Registration for the 2019 Aquafina OTC Butte to Butte is currently open. Remember to sign up early to guarantee your preferred shirt size, as shirts will sell out. You can find all event details at ButteToButte.com Read the full article Grass Roots Grant Recipients List Updated The OTC Grass Roots Grant Program announced the recipients of the 2018 grants in the December newsletter. The OTC is pleased to announce that the Club has also made a grant of $1,000 to the Bertha Holt Elementary School for its 4th and 5th grade track and field meet. Also receiving grants were Junction City High School ($2,000) and Sheldon High School ($3,000). Each year the Oregon Track Club promotes the growth of track and field and running related projects throughout the greater Eugene/Springfield area with the OTC Grass Roots Grant Program. Out of the Blocks: A Look Ahead Happy New Year! In my article in last month’s newsletter, I wrote about taking one last look at all we accomplished in 2018. Taking some time to recount and relive last year’s many adventures was satisfying and fun. The highs definitely outweighed the lows, and for the most part 2018 was a good year. But you can’t live in the past, so it’s time to look ahead. The first quarter of the year will provide two opportunities for large numbers of our membership to come together as both the Masters and OTC Annual Dinners are scheduled. Great food and conversation along with inspiring speakers and the Kevin Marbury announcement of award winners make for two exciting evenings we can all look forward to attending. The indoor season for our track and field competitors kicks off, while a number of road racing opportunities are also available to those willing to brave the winter elements to compete. Read the full article Hayward Classic Awaits New Stadium The 37th annual OTCM Hayward Classic track and field meet will not be held in 2019 due to the construction of the new Hayward Field. The Hayward Classic is one of the nation’s premium meets for Masters athletes. Last year’s Classic saw three world records and one American record performance.