Tuesday, July 13, 2010

I always look forward to this part.  Being able to travel the world and be in the company of great athletes and people is its own reward.  But being able to share part of the experience through a blog on TheMat.com magnifies the deal.

Besides magnifying it for me, I hope it does something for at least a few others.  I actually started “blogging” in 2002, as a communication tool to aid that year’s Women’s Team at the Pan American Championship in Maracaibo.

This was just prior to the age when every athlete and delegation member started carrying cell phones with international capabilities.  Many families and fans depended on the relatively new access to internet for results.  Perhaps more importantly, families and coaches back home looked to the blog for some touch of insight into the ‘focus’ and emotional readiness of their individual athlete and the team.

We had an exceptional group in Maracaibo and we produced exceptional results: seven out of seven on the podium and the team trophy.  The ability level of these athletes freed me up, just a little, to experiment with the blogging process as a coaching ‘tool’.

I have a reason for telling you all this.  But, for now, fast forward to July of 2010.  I’m on my way to two major events:  The Final event of the FILA’s Golden Grand Prix series in Baku, Azerbaijan; and the Junior World Championship in Budapest, Hungary.

As volunteer officials, FILA requires us to work one or more events per year at the international level.  To maintain our category, we must attend ‘clinics’ that fit the level we are trying to maintain.  It is often quite far and expensive, but it’s part of the deal.

USA Wrestling and our Officials Association ‘assign’ one or more officials to most events.  Assigned officials get help with expenses and a rotation system helps share that help.  Most often, though, you’re on your own.

I ran into a situation last summer, in Turkey, where I had to do some ticket changes.  It left me with some voucher money in the bank with American Airlines.  Getting a little creative, I found a way to use the vouchers to get part of the way to Baku.

In essence, I’ve got a round trip inside another round trip.  The details get a little weird.  I start out flying Albuquerque to Dallas and on to Frankfurt, Germany.  On the way home, I leave from Berlin through London and Chicago.

The first leg of my trip ends in Frankfurt, so I have to claim baggage (hopefully) and clear customs Wednesday morning.  Then, I’ve got to check back in for that other round trip.  That will take me from Frankfurt through Istanbul, Turkey and on to Baku.  If things go well, I’ll be there by midnight Wednesday.

The assigned American on the Baku trip is a very bright, up and coming official named Ryan Levin.  Ryan is one of the so-called “Brothers” from Utah, trained under Toby Tobiasson.  Ryan has been with the American team in and around Baku for the last week.  I’m really hoping that between Ryan and Team Leader, Paul Kieblitz,  someone will be at the airport to pick us up at midnight!

Just by luck, I meet up with another dear friend in Istanbul.  Davor Petanjik is Croatia’s Olympic level official.  Over the years, Davor has become a god friend… not just of mine, but of many American referees.  I spent some intense time with Davor on a tour last winter.  I’m really looking forward to catching up with him on the flight.

This is my first time accessing the Blog section of themat.com website, directly.  Before this trip, I’ve always emailed my entries to Craig Sesker and Gary Abbott, our communication guys.  I know Craig will be swamped in Fargo this week and Gary will be with me in Budapest.  

We’ll see how it goes for me, as a technologically challenged old guy, getting the blog published.  I read Tony Black’s recent blog of his adventures in Greece.  What a great experience!  I hope there will be others adding their perspectives on Baku and Budapest.

For now, we’re about to land in Frankfurt.  I will hope for a place with Wi-Fi access and get this thing rolling.

Ciao