PoleVaultPower.com

so...if you're wondering what kind of insane person doesn't know who Stacy Dragila is...let me tell you this sad sad story...

I was talking to some ppl. in the research program I'm part of this summer, and the topic turned to pole vault (of course) when I mentioned somebody training w/ Earl Bell...and somebody said "who's earl bell?"...and i explained a bit and said that he trained Kellie Suttle and Jeff Hartwig, etc....and they looked at me blankly...and said they didn't know anything about pole vaulting....so i asked them all (about 8 ppl) if they knew who stacy dragila was...and nobody knew...except one person said the name sounded vaguely familiar....and I said pole vaulter...and they said 'oh yeah, she was in the olympics or something.' I always thought EVERYBODY at least knew who stacy dragila was..

I seriouly was about to pass out...what's this world coming to!?!?!?

And with that, I suggest that in the next week, everybody does their duty as a PVer and find at least one person that doesn't know anything about PV and try to help them appreciate....it's the least we can do *tear*

Kinda hard when everyone you know mocks you about polevault Okay, so I like to set goals for myself and I like (more like love) something that you [as in them] don't. Ughh it gets me so mad I'm gonna stop ranting before things get outta hand

I'm sorry LHSpolevault..that is very sad...I don't see why anybody would mock PV. I've only met ppl that don't know about it...mocking is aweful, but ignorance is just unfortunate

Well in all fairness, there are several people out there that are famous and many of us wouldn't know.

People such as:
-Bruce Jenner
-Ricky Carmichael
-Dan Harrington
-Chris Ferguson
-Bjorn Ulvaeus (I would expect all the people who grew up in the 60's and 70's to know this one)

See if you know any of these people and tell me if you think now that it is awful not to know who some of these people are!

i live near niagara falls, and me and my buddies were there one day, and the topic got onto pole vault. i am the only one who does, outa my freinds, but they all have watched me and such. anywho, we were like, 'i bet 3 outa ten people in niagara falls even knew wat pole vaulting was.' so, we asked a bunch of people, and it was sumthing like 6 out 30 people even knew wat the sport was, and vaguely might i add. i was extremely dismayed, as the number one Canadian lives just down the road from them. o well, its their loss.

Ricky Carmichael was absolutely sick, any sports fan should know who he was.

Dan Harrington... known as one of the best poker players of all. Won the World Series a couple times.

Chris "Jesus" Ferguson... looks like Jesus lol. Watched him on ESPN earlier in the 2005 World Series.

Harrington and Ferguson I'd expect a lotta people to know because of the stupidly vast amount of poker coverage they show on tv now. However, like most things on tv, like ESPN's "PlayMakers"... that was a good show, it got to dramatical and ended up going down the tubes (hence why they didn't make a second season). Poker is having its time now.


...scubastevesgirly, lol if i went up to one of my friend's n was like "wow man, stacy dragila was sick yesterday during [whatever meet it was]." the reponse i would receive from the average person: "Dude, who gives a flying f***." We get a lotta respect over here [where i live].

Scott Go Pre wrote:
See if you know any of these people and tell me if you think now that it is awful not to know who some of these people are!

I will admit i don't know who any of those people are (i don't watch much TV), and I will also say that my emotions got the best of me in the situation...but I was just super-surprised is all...I'm sorry to offend anybody.

LHSpolevault, can you name the other two that Ive listed?

Bruce Jenner sounds familiar, but the other, no idea.

Of course I knew Jenner - showing my age. !976 Decathlon Gold Medal But had to Google for Bjorn -- Now known as the most atlented member of ABBA.

A few sage observations form the "old guy" here. Always remember that what is important to us is not important to everybody. As jazzed as all of us are about our sport we just can't understand why others can't "see" how cool it is and want to be a part of it. It's the old "world revolves around me" syndrome. I personally have a hard time figuring out why anyone would be so goo goo over soccer. Trust me, other than a guy named Lagos who is retiring as coach of the Thunder I couldn't name you one big star of that sport.......Oh wait a minute I also know who Pele is, but that's it. Yet, the soccer looneys are just as looney about their sport as we are of ours. Just be patient with those that don't understand our passion. Do your best to inform but that's about all you can expect to do. It's like us Harley owners say when someone asks, "what's so hot about a Harley"? We always reply, "if I had to explain, you wouldn't understand". That's sort of how it is for us in the PV world. Later.........Mike

ok, i know a good percent of the vaulters since ive become obsessed but im a sports guy and ive been riding for like 6 years so RC is like a hero to me, and you gotta love Harrington, still at the tables lol (along with C"J"F)