President's Message
From Terry Harper, Executive Director USSS; April 2009
I want to update you on an exciting new program. A little history, first. Three or four years ago, some of our judges travelled to Europe to participate in a competition known as the Comen Cup. What they saw was a competition at the Age Group level that was startling in quality. It became readily apparent that we needed to upgrade the quality of our training for pre-Junior age swimmers if we are to be internationally competitive over the long term.
In 2006, Mexico hosted the first UANA Pan American Age Group Championships, and in 2008, Canada hosted the second. We sent a 13-15 Team to each, and they did well. At the same time, both teams were at least partially self-funded. Until recently, virtually all of the money that we have had available to support the 13-15 Age Group team for these events has come from the United States Olympic Committee (“USOC”). At a time when the economy is changing rapidly, sometimes for the worst, to continue to rely upon a single source for funding an important program seemed unwise.
For that reason, we approached the U.S. Synchronized Swimming Foundation about creating a joint effort – to endow our 13-15 Team program in perpetuity. Just as the Foundation receives donations for general purposes, invests the funds, and uses the interest to support educational programs within the sport, the concept of this endowment is the same – accept tax-deductible donations earmarked for the 13-15 program, invest the funds to allow them to grow, and use the interest to support the 13-15 program.
We have worked with the Foundation and its fundraisers to create the endowment, called “Building America’s Teams.” Four Honorary Chairwomen have signed up to help us: Dorothy Sowers in the East, Joy Cushman in the South, Ginny Jasontek in the North, and Charlotte Davis in the West. With their support and guidance, we are off to a good start. We set a goal to raise $200,000 for the endowment in 2009. We and the Foundation debuted the program at the Zone Championships in March, and in just over a month, have already raised 1/3 rd of that target! A huge “Thanks” goes to Ted and Paulette Roche, who have spearheaded the Foundation’s efforts in this regard. Our winter intern, Danielle Pechac worked with them to produce the promotional materials, but Ted and Paulette organized the kick-off for the program.
Every member of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees and of U.S. Synchronized Swimming’s Board of Directors has committed to donate to Building America’s Teams. With your support, we can create a fund that will give our 13-15 year old athletes the best coaching, training, and competition opportunities, and do so for years to come. Please join me in Building America’s Teams.
