USAC / MABRA Meeting, 8 Feb, 2003

Gaithersburg, MD

Attendees:

USA Cycling -

Gerard Bisceglia (CEO USAC)

George Heagerty (USAC National Field Operations Manager)

Kurt Sauer (UCI Commissairte)

Judy Miller (USAC Mid-Atlantic Regional Rep)

MABRA Board -

Will Miller, (MABRA President, Squadra Coppi)

Tracy Rankin (MABRA VP, DC Velo)

Steve Gorham (MABRA Treasurer, Lateral Stress Velo)

Tom Hoeger (MABRA Secretary, All American BC

Randy Inglis (MABRA Board Member, Wilmington Velocity)

Others -

Bill Luecke (NCVC and MABRA BAR Coordinator)

Chip Sovek (PVC, MABRA Cyclocross Coordinator)

Robert Windsor (team?, MABRA Junior Coordinator)

Tracy Lea (Team FUJI)

Dave Power (Wilmington Velocity)

John Epting (DC Velo)

Janet Yencha (Mt Airy Bicycle Club)

Will Miller started off with an introduction of why we were gathered.  Meeting was originally planned to be a closed MABRA Board meeting but was opened up as a result of the recent restructuring of USA Cycling (USAC) and the visit of Gerard, George and Kurt to discuss MABRA's becoming the Regional Representative for the area formerly known as District 20.

Gerard Bisceglia, the new CEO of USAC, then gave an outline describing the changes at USAC and reasoning behind them.  Highlights included:

• Upon taking over as CEO of USAC, it was determined that USAC was in financial crisis and change was required in order for USAC to survive.  It was felt that without drastic changes, the corporation may have been gone in as little as two years.
• Gerard determined that USAC had three primary concerns, the three “M's” being Members, Medals and Money.  All three were / are considered to be in crisis.
• Members.  USAC membership was approximately 70,000 several years ago.  2002 membership was roughly 40,000 and an increase from 2001.  The primary cause for the downturn in membership is due to decreases in NORBA membership.  Breakaway associations (road racing) do not account for a significant percentage of “lost” membership since most members of these federations retain their USAC membership as well.  In addition, USAC was noted to be viewed as a dictatorial, bureaucratic organization existing only to taxing people so they could race bicycles.  Gerard's goal is to change USAC from a governing body to a membership service organization.  Gerard made it clear that MEMBERS were the number 1 priority of the three M's.
• Money.  For the first time in several years USAC had a good financial year.  However, money is still an issue.  Increases in 2003 membership fees are primarily a result of significant increases ($400,000) in insurance premiums which have risen since 9/11.
• Medals.  Medals equate to athletic achievement at the international level (Olympics and World Championships).  Past Olympics and Worlds showed USAC behind in this area as well.  Gerard turned over the athletics part to Steve Johnson so that he may concentrate on membership and monetary issues.  Athletics is being totally revamped starting with the coaching staff.  Gerard maintains some oversight authority with respect to budgets.
• New computer system to come online by or shortly after 15 February 2003.  Approximately $200,000 invested in system that should be more member-friendly and useful.  Will feature online membership application and event permitting.
• All Local Associations (LA) get the same deal. $10 back to Association for each membership application in their region, defined by zip code in return for Local Association acting as Regional Representative.  LA will be responsible and or involved with upgrading, event permitting, scheduling, and rider discipline.  One of the hopes is that this will encourage LA's to be more active in recruiting new members.  Could lead to $15 payment if certain base license number is met.
• LA has significant leeway in use of funds so long as they are cycling related.  To verify this, the LA must provide an accounting at end of year to show that USAC funds went to promote cycling.
• USAC does not want to use “State” boundaries to define the LA's since they may not be determine the best borders.
• If MABRA decides to become the LA, agreement will be grandfathered back to 1 January 2003 for the membership fee funding.

The session then entered a general question and answer phase.

• Will Miller asked about the governance of USAC and how the LA's can have a greater place or say at the national level.  Gerard responded that this is really not high on his list of priorities needing to be addressed and that ultimately it is a matter that the USAC B.O.D. to address.
• Tom Hoeger raised the issue of scheduling conflicts between USPRO and grass roots (local) events such as Tour de Georgia and Tour de Warsaw, pointing out that part of the problem appears to be few officials.  Gerard acknowledged that the official's corps needs to be strengthened and is open to ideas as to how to address this issue.  Gerard does not believe that officials should have to pay for their official's license.
• Tracy Lea brought up issue scheduling of NRC and National Championship dates.  Gerard stated that the past policy of USAC was to wait until the NRC was final, then publish it.  He does feel this was the best practice and stated that the NRC and Nationals dates will be listed as they become available.
• This led to Tom Hoeger asking how USAC would improve service to promoters, specifically with respect to providing information regarding National Level events (attendance figures, etc.) and the bidding process for National Level events.  It was pointed out that USAC has not had an open nationals bid process and that this will be changed in the future to be a more open and formal process.
• Tracy Lea brought up International Licenses and how burdensome it seems to be for US riders doing UCI level events.  USAC stated that they will dig deeper into this issue, but one of the problems is that USAC currently issues licenses on a “floating” year whereas other nations have licensing practices wherein all licenses expire on Dec 31.  USAC will be going to this in 2004.
• Elite Nationals -  LA's will be allotted certain number of slots at Elite Nationals based on their percentage of USAC membership.
• If looking for support regarding velodromes (getting one in the DC area) contact Gerard Bisceglia and / or Pat McDonough at USAC.

Following the USAC / MABRA as LA portion of the meeting, Robert Windsor made a presentation of his plans as the Junior Coordinator.

• Create Juniors race series similar to Women's Cat 3 and Cat 4 series.
• Base Juniors series on best of certain number of performances instead of on all BAR junior events.
• Foster juniors to race in their senior categories, not just their junior cats.  This may include having promoters allow juniors to enter senior events at Junior event fees.
• Gearing.
• Determine reasons why promoters don't hold juniors events and how they may be encouraged to do so.
• Expand and update Junior BAR scoring, increasing categories to 2 year age-groups.
• Get more MABRA juniors to nationals.

Chip Sovek, the MABRA Cyclocross Coordinator, spoke to his plans regarding cyclocross in MABRA.

• Put together race kit for all MABRA cyclocross promoters to use.
• Work on MABRA cyclocross series to help promoters attract riders to these events inn the future.
• Work with, not against other regional cross series and events such as the Mid-Atlantic Cyclocross series events.