It would be totally appropriate to say that many of the members of this list are truly shocked and saddened by the untimely passing of the Penn State pole vault athlete at the Big Ten meet on Saturday. Penn State's loss of this fine young man is truly a loss for all of us involved in the sport. I am sure that no amount of words can fill the void that is now found in Penn State's community. Our thoughts and prayers should go out to Penn State and the young man's family.
However, before the finger of cause is pointed in this situation, it is important to step back a moment and give time for all of use to grieve. Only once this process is over should we as coaches look for ways to prevent tragedies like this from happening again. It is my opinion that while accidents like this may not be totally preventable, there are many other near fatal and not as serious accidents in the event to warrant a serious look at the reasons. As a collegiate coach for almost twenty years, I have seen high school vaulters with such a huge range of knowledge and experience that one has to wonder what, if any coaching, many are receiving at the scholastic level. Just like driver's education does not guarantee good drivers, coaching education does not guarantee good coaches. However, any educational opportunity for coaches is better than none at all. One can only hope and pray that knowledgeable coaches can properly instruct and coach young athletes. Perhaps it is now time to look at this tragedy as an opportunity to increase educational programs for local scholastic coaches and not just implement rules. The USATF Coaching Education program must be expanded and more opportunities must be made to offer this program to as many coaches as possible, as soon as possible. Knowledgeable collegiate and scholastic coaches should provide opportunities for local coaches to increase their base of knowledge. Sports' organizations and associations should provide and require coaches to be trained. Just as our communities would not stand for unqualified basketball or football coaches, we as coaches, parents, taxpayers, and lovers of the sport of track and field should not tolerate unqualified coaches working with our scholastic athletes. (Getting qualified coaches at the scholastic level is another independent topic.) For every door that closes, one opens; for every tragedy that occurs, opportunities are created. Let us as coaches grieve in this tragedy, and then strive to create opportunities for all coaches. Let us as a body of coaches unite to support the athletes and coaches at Penn State in this time of need. Let us stop wasting time with trivial discussions about things that tear the sport apart and find things that strengthen our sport. Trey Jackson
