USATF records site disappointing

[BillVol]

As numbers oriented as T & F is, you'd think our national federation would have a better records site. I checked out their all-time national champions. Only the champion is listed -- and it doesn't say where the event took place. I'm surprised they put the time! I don't believe any wind numbers were posted either, but I'm not sure.

At any rate, that site needs a TON of work IMO.

[Trackshark]

Re: USATF records site disappointing

A few years ago, thanks to the inside suggestion of high jump specialist Henry Patterson, I offered my services to redesign the USATF site. Oh, did I mention that I would to it for FREE? They still did not bite at the chance and they're losing the battle in terms of keeping up with fresh, clean and eye-catching design.

I've tried to contact them again about this, but it's my understanding that they are in the process of doing something, at least, to make their page more user-friendly.

If anyone from USATF is out there reading this board, I'm still down for a new design and layout at no charge. Whatever helps the sport, I'd be glad to help. Check out my portfolio at:

www.tomborish.com/portfolio

[gm]

Re: USATF records site disappointing

>I checked out their all-time national champions. Only
>the champion is listed -- and it doesn't say where the event took place.

Yeah, how odd -- on a list of "all-time national champions" only the champions are listed. Go figure. I bet if the title of that list was "all-time national championship results" those yahoos would only list national championship results, huh?

[Jon]

Re: USATF records site disappointing

I've always thought the same about the USATF site. It's a fairly large site and has a number of different resources, but it's lacking in both stats and good design (two basic requisites for a good T&F site!)

There are many smaller federations with better web-sites than the USATF one (including Poland, Scotland, Australia, etc...). Given the USA's status as a T&F super-power, their site is a huge disappointment.

Tom - if USATF do get in touch and you need help with the workload (it IS a fairly big site), then I'd also be willing to help out for free. (I've just finished Uni for the year, so have a load of spare time).

www.stickyjam.co.uk

[tafnut]

Re: USATF records site disappointing

Both of your sites are great, and both of you certainly seem to be into T&F for the long run, so that just makes me wonder why USATF can be so recalcitrant in asking for help in what certainly seems like an overwhelming task: keeping up with the sheer volume of numbers and info that nat'l track would incur. Hey, gh, you have some pull, I bet; we deserve better from our nat'l office.

[BillVol]

Re: USATF records site disappointing

I called the Atlanta Track Club and said I would volunteer to assemble all of the records for the Peachtree Road Race and put them on their website. I think they have finishers going back to '01 or so. But I thought it would be interesting to see the records for every year of this famous race. They only have 1000 timed finishers since they went to computer chip on the shoes, so it would not be that hard. Before that, I'm guessing they had less timed finishers.

They declined my offer, too. You wonder why they don't accept the help.

[polevaultpower]

Re: USATF records site disappointing

Someone is being paid to do that job. I would imagine they feel threatened by someone offering to do a better job for free.

Or it could be there are too many people who have a say in the website for there to be any changes made easily.

[Trackshark]

Re: USATF records site disappointing

Very good point and I'm sure they have MUCH more on their list-of-things-to-do right now, especially with the Olympic Trials and Games coming up, as opposed to focusing on a new design, layout and structure for their website.

[MJR]

Re: USATF records site disappointing

There is a redesign in the works, in fact it was supposed to be live by now, but a member of the staff had some personal issues occur that delayed its release.

I've seen the new layout and its so much better than what is up now. I have no idea what the new release date is, but it should be fairly soon.

[EPelle]

Re: USATF records site disappointing

I met with Craig Masback at the Eugene Airport the weekend of the 2001 WC trials. We discussed the site, he reviewed a demo I put up online for USATF, and put me in touch with the webmaster - the Dartmouth grad paid to design and administer the site. Talks went down the drain, things were put on a back burner, and now, three years later, the site is going up with new changes. Glad for USATF, as they supposedly have the world:s best team, and will now be able to showcase athletics and running to its own fan base, and those interested in the sport across the world.

[Jon]

Re: USATF records site disappointing

>I met with Craig Masback at the Eugene Airport the weekend of the 2001 WC
>trials. We discussed the site, he reviewed a demo I put up online for USATF,
>and put me in touch with the webmaster - the Dartmouth grad paid to design and
>administer the site. Talks went down the drain, things were put on a back
>burner, and now, three years later, the site is going up with new changes.
>Glad for USATF, as they supposedly have the world:s best team, and will now be
>able to showcase athletics and running to its own fan base, and those
>interested in the sport across the world.




Does that mean that you did the new look for USATF..? Or has someone else done it?

Either way, it's a relief, and I look forward to seeing the finished article!

[EPelle]

Re: USATF records site disappointing

I had nothing to do with the re-design (unless they borrowed some ideas)... have not seen the site.