Massive Pole Vault Controversy

[Guest kenwoodrun]

As many of you well know, there is a massive wave of opposition rising against the pole vault as an official scoring event in Tennessee. Coaches are supposed to address the issue in their regional coach's meetings, rather to keep the pole vault or to do away with in the 2003. Issues involved are supposedly all safety related (with the two deaths early this year, extra money required for larger mats, etc.), but some coaches also appear to be using this opportunity to take down an event that they always get completely outscored in or just can't coach. Obviously, this would hurt a lot of athletes directly, especially those who would like to compete in vault at the "next level"...especially girls where colleges are recruiting girls vaulters left and right to make up for their own defeciencies. Then again, if a coach doesn't know the vault, an athlete is at high risk (as they have been for the past 100000000000 years that we've done that vault, nothing's changed). Tennessee's state pole vault record keeps going up yearly for boys and girls, and is pushing 16' for boys now.

SO..........what do you think about the status of the vault? Is it an endangered species? Are we looking at the last year of PV in TN? Are you for or against keeping it? Stay tuned, I'm sure TSSAA will respond to this issue when the season is over.

[Guest BigCountry05]

I think we should keep it because the girls are just now getting into it and it adds more to the whole track scene.

[peacemaker]

I too think we should keep it- but I do feel like more precautionary measures should be taken. Perhaps lightweight helments, more matting, spotters...........etc......!!!!

[tonto]

definitely keep it, it's a great event for the sport.

[wrsmith]

It would be terrible if an event is eliminated because of the tragic deaths earlier this year. I heard of an 11 year old baseball from Kentucky who died in a Nashville hospital a few days ago after being hit in the chest by a baseball in pre-game warmups. Does that mean we should eliminate baseball? Of course not! I am the first to say that most coaches know nothing about pole vault and shouldn't try to coach it. The equipment needs to be improved (including the mandatory wearing of safety helmets) and there need to be more officials in place to assist in the event of a wayward vault. However, this doesn't mean the event should be eliminated.

[Guest kenwoodrun]

WRSmith,

That's basically my feelings exactly. I never pole vaulted once in my life, but I may sit down and cry if we lose it. It's so much financial, that's the #1 obstacle right now. It's funny I started a thread on pole vault...today, in our own stadium, a girl from Brentwood (Allison Turner) vaulted 10' 8.75", which we think is unofficially a state record. It was dramatic to watch! I'd HATE to see this event go totally by the boards. TSSAA: FIX THIS MESS before it's too late.

[coachk98]

Isnt it funny we all (me included) get on here and say ---keep it, keep it ---add new equiepment--whatever it takes...BUT,,we dont want to do anything to fund education...

[peacemaker]

Are you speaking of funding eduacation on the pole vault?

Or just eduacation in general? Tell me what I can do to help- I wouldn't even know where to begin-

[Opedawg21]

I believe you're talking about the schooling/education of America, correct? Yes, I agree that we focus too much on sports...but to the point of pole vaulting...Why get rid of it??? I mean, I understand there are projected justifications of why to do away with it, but lets think about it. For one thing, you just don't have track w/o a pole vault, its just been @ 2 long. If TN loses PV, then think of all the potential talent lost down the drain. In fact, how about that junior this year who has been training his brains out and just might win that state championship next year? What are you going to say?? 'Um, sorry, 1 kid got hurt, so its gotta stop, 2 bad, thats how it is' How about no, man! I mean, injuries probably happen more to the sprinter who pulls his hamstring or the guy who trips over the hurdle and lands all wrong. If you practice proper form, then your mere fundamentals will drastically decrease your chance of injury. Now I'm a runner and not a PV'r, but sports participants universally know that injuries occur whether we like it or not, no matter what the sport.

 

If PV is dimenished, then it'll be a state-wide waste of talent.

 

OD21

[Guest kenwoodrun]

Just a little update on my post from yesterday, I emailed and got a response from a gentleman at TSSAA today that said if Brentwood fills out the paperwork, then 10' 8.75" is a new state record. Congrats to Allison Turner...even though she or somebody will likely turn around and smash it in Chattanooga.

[Guest BigCountry05]

Amen OpeDawg, hey guess who this is, one red headed girl that throws discus @ CC. lol

[MadMan1600]

Pole vaulting is a great sport. I think it would be a terrible think for it to be removed from track&field. There are lots of scholarships out there for vaulters. Besides, Even though it is dangerous, im sure the vaulters already know that when they start doing it. And all this talk about making helments mandatory is crazy . Those who want to should have that right and they do. But those who dont shouldnt have to. I think its stupid to make a rule that pretects someone from themself. If they feel like there life is in danger they should wear the helment without having to be told.