Todays vaulters

[jumpbackin]

In the last year that I've been back at vaulting I've been in awe of the character the HS and College Vaulters I've trained with. My recollection from back in the 80's is that most of us were pricks. My self included.

Have you guys noticed this? Does anyone have an idea why? I've thought maybe because girls are vaulting now and that brings in guys who are less fringe. Maybe it's a regional thing - better kids here in Spokane. Maybe the kids of today (contrary to popular belief) are just better. Maybe a little bit of each?

I played baseball here in Spokane for 5 years with kids who were about 19-24 and didn't notice the same thing. I liked those kids but they weren't the saints I vault with now.

[Bubba PV]

I think some of this comes from top vaulters being more accessible and leading by example. When I was a kid you could read about the big vaulters but unless you lived by one (I had my friend Dave Roberts in town), you had no idea about the type of people they were.

The National Pole Vault Summit in Reno has given kids and coaches tons of opportunity to meet and speak with stars of yesterday, today and tomorrow. I’ve spent a lot of time around the elite vaulters over the years and I can say from experience that it’s very rare that you’ll meet a jerk. I think this rubs off on kids.

In addition, lots of older vaulters, like yourself, are coming back and leading by a positive example. Finally, the vault is a very humbling event and we all fail many times – in fact, our day is over when we’ve missed three times in a row. I think this leads to support, tolerance, and a general good outlook. Thanks for all of your efforts for the sport we love!! Bubba

[bjvando]

I think some of this comes from top vaulters being more accessible and leading by example. When I was a kid you could read about the big vaulters but unless you lived by one (I had my friend Dave Roberts in town), you had no idea about the type of people they were.

The National Pole Vault Summit in Reno has given kids and coaches tons of opportunity to meet and speak with stars of yesterday, today and tomorrow. I’ve spent a lot of time around the elite vaulters over the years and I can say from experience that it’s very rare that you’ll meet a jerk. I think this rubs off on kids.

In addition, lots of older vaulters, like yourself, are coming back and leading by a positive example. Finally, the vault is a very humbling event and we all fail many times – in fact, our day is over when we’ve missed three times in a row. I think this leads to support, tolerance, and a general good outlook. Thanks for all of your efforts for the sport we love!! Bubba

nicely said bubba-

little story that goes along with that. My first couple years of pole vaulting i "trained" with my older brother. Who was coached by the infamous bubbapv ! I was inivited to come out when they trianed, as long as i did what i was asked to do. I was jumping 11-12' at the time and i was training with 16-18' jumpers. They couldn't have been nicer to me, even though they would have to move the standards down 6' in practice for me.... I do owe all of those vaulters a big thanks for contributing to my training and development as a pole vaulter and coach..... Even though pete kovacs was kind of a prick..haha! just messin pete!

[Powervaulter]

I can't speak for other areas, but I think that in Canada, there has been a real struggle to keep coaches in the sport. There are a number of factors, but a big factor has to be that high school coaches are volunteers, and with all the strike/job action that has taken place, it really did a number on programs in school.

The upside is that kids are well aware of this reality, and are thoroughly appreciative of the efforts of their teacher-coaches. The kids that I've coached over the last couple of years say thank you to me nearly every practice! That is reward enough for me.

I don't know if my kids know how tough it really is for teachers... did you know that every class I miss because of a track meet is covered internally by teachers at my school? At a later date, I have to repay the favour, meaning that I lose my prep time at school. I think that this is pretty ridiculous, but that's life. I know my kids appreciate my efforts, and it's worth it!

[Bubba PV]

Your comments are dead on Powervaulter and thank for your contributions and sacrifice. I love to watch these kids learn and get better so that makes it worth it to me. A thank you doesn't hurt either as you say. I work as a volunteer but have the ability to juggle my schedule a bit but you’re always taking time from somewhere else, but “that’s lifeâ€Â

[master]

Bubba, thank you for all you have done and continue to do to promote the sport and keep the spirit of it alive and well. You were one of the first "long distance coaches" to offer help to me (via the internet and PVP) when I was starting my masters career. Many others have contributed to my progress and these people have become good friends even though many live miles away. I believe, as each person has said, the attitude a coach presents is infectious, good or bad. Thank goodness almost everyone I have met in this sport since I started again has had a very positive attitude.

I can't let this post go without another mention of Al Miller, my high school track coach, who recruited me after watching me jump on a trampoline. He is the one that got me started doing the vault. It was not easy for him because I wasn't very successful at first and I was ready to give up. But he kept me after practice to get me over a 5 or 6 foot high piece of string into the sawdust. And he did it with a great big smile that he is well known for. That was in 1962. Today one of his sons is the track coach, and a grandson by his other son is vaulting well for the school.

Keep the spirit, enthusiasm and progress going in our sport. Encourage all you have the opportunity to help. And as Dave Gable, the jumps coach at the HS where I volunteer says to the kids each year, this is an exciting but difficult sport. Not everyone that trys it will excel, but we will help and coach everyone reach their potential if they are willing to work to learn the vault.

- master