Member News

February 21, 2006

Greetings from Colorado Springs and USA Judo National Office!

As we come to the "second half" of the Torino Winter Olympic Games, I wanted to take just one minute to ask the USA Judo family to reflect on the fact that 900 days from yesterday, February 20, 2006, the Beijing Olympic Games will play host to its Opening Ceremonies.

In 900 days the world will be watching and their athletes will be ready to compete. Will we be ready to compete?

Whether you are a coach, administrator a USA Judo Team Alumni, an athlete or a parent I ask you to join me in asking ourselves this question:

What more can we do to ensure that our USA Judo athletes be ready in 900 days?

I wish I had a quick fix answer to give to you today, but I do not. However, I can share with you a few things that each of us can do that I believe could make a difference:

1 - Take a minute to say one encouraging word to an athlete or a coach, a referee or a judo volunteer. Thank them for their work and dedication to a great sport.

2 - Do not stand idle by when others around you may be "naysaying" the future of judo in the USA. You need not engage in arguing, just a simple "I do not agree" or "I believe in the dedication of those leading our sport and the future of judo in the USA" may be enough to be counted!

3 - Visit the USA Judo Web site (www.usjudo.org) at least once a week and tell others to visit our site as well.

4 - Support USA Judo monthly Webcasting of tournaments – invite a few friends over to watch it with you. Be a part of a new concept – be a part of Judo's growth!

5 - Tell everyone you can about USA Judo's new programs:

• State Games of America's Judo competitions
• National State Games of America Championships in 2007
• Boy Scouts and National Venturing Programs
• North American Indigenous Games - Judo 2006 - Denver
• Adopt An Athlete Program "Beijing 2008 and Beyond"
• 2 USA Judo National Training Sites and one more to be opened in 2006
• USA Judo Elite U-23 Team  
• Monthly Webcasting of Judo competitions on www.livesportsvideo.com
• A video archive library of all Webcasted tournaments, regional and international camps.
• Online membership registration and coming very soon ONLINE EVENT REGISTRATIONS!
• A state of the art Web site that features the latest tournament results, calendar of events, "Throw of the month" featuring a breakdown of a featured throw each month, a "Call of the month" showing latest application of rules in order to improve greater understanding of Judo calls by both national and international referees, links to membership benefits, and coming soon a USA Judo Merchandise and Products internet store!

I could go on telling you many more new activities happening in our sport, but I think that the above should by now gotten you fired up for the next 900 days leading to Beijing!

Success is about one thing and one day at a time. Please share the Judo excitement with others. Call someone you know and tell them to Adopt An Athlete – but better yet, you may want to adopt an athlete first! Be looking for this new support program to be announced soon or call the national office at 719.866.4730 for a brochure today!

900 days and counting, but then again – who is counting? Our athletes are and we will not let them down!

Have a great Judo week.

Jose H. Rodriguez

Executive Director/CEO

USA JUDO