Special People - The Trials Volunteers

Volunteers at the Trials

By George Kochman
 

In his final dispatch from Eugene, George highlight a trio of the volunteers who helped move things along for the many fans who attended The Trials. They may not be from New Jersey, but they just as well could be your neighbors.

The Olympic trials in Eugene are over, and everyone has gone home. A great track and field meet, made even better by the organizers and the 1,800 volunteers who worked tirelessly through somewhat adverse weather conditions to ensure that everything ran smoothly. The organizing committee screened more than 4,000 applicants, selecting volunteers from 46 states, Washington D.C., and British Columbia, who did a remarkable job. Volunteering means no pay, no publcity, little glory, potential headaches, but a few perks. Meals at the hospitality tent, some Nike gear, including rain jacket, hats, polos, T-shirts, etc. The cost is great for the company, but the success of the meet depends largely upon the volunteers.

Consider the cost to adidas at the World Championships at Berlin in 2009, where the giant shoe company outfitted the more than 3,000 volunteers with everything- head to toe- complete rain suits, shorts, dress pants, polos, T-shirts for several days, hats, visors, etc.The Eugene volunteers seemed to be everywhere - at the hotels, the bus stops, the festival surrounding Hayward Field, dressed in their TrackTown USA 2012 green and gold.

Three of the best, and the friendliest, were returnees, part of the behind-the-scenes action.

Merlyn “Red” Gilbert is a retired 75 year-old resident of Vancouver, Washington. He manned Section L by the 200-meter mark, helping people get to their seats. He did the same thing four years ago at the same spot, and remembered the same people from the past Trials in Eugene. Gilbert, who worked in the insurance business, has a limited background in track. “I went to the U. of Oregon for a year,” he said, “and I was a good friend of Dave Edstrom.” Edstrom was a star decathlete for the Ducks in the late 1950’s, a gold medalist at the Pan-Am Games, and a competitor at the Summer Olympics in Rome in 1960. “I used to run around with him, help carry his stuff, and go after the shots in practice,” he said.

His friendly demeanor has earned him the title of “Mayor of Section L,” a title he relishes, adding, “and a woman from North Dakota just gave me a big hug.” “I’m a volunteer person,” he noted. “I volunteer at the church, and the Rotary, and I saw an ad in the newspaper, and said to myself that it sounded like fun.” And it is for Gilbert. “I can’t explain how great this is,” he added. “This is one of the most wonderful things I’ve ever done. I get to meet great people from all over the country.” He’d love to come back to Eugene in four years. “Track fans are generally very polite,’ he said. “It’s not like other sports, and if the Trials are in Eugene in four years, I’d like to think that I’d be still able to do it.”

The husband-wife team of Bob and Marsha Steffen are retired 65 year-old former employees at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Marsha worked for years as a nurse while Bob worked in the information technology field.  Their three children competed with distinction in track and field, which gave the parents an initial interest, which soon blossomed into volunteer work. Bob became a walker and race-walking coach, giving hours to aspiring heel-and-toers. Back in Madison, they give their time at the Overture Center for the Arts (“It’s our payback to the community”), and Marsha was the secretary of Wisconsin Track and Field for eight years.

“We love to volunteer,’ said Bob. “We both believe in giving back to the community. “When one of their sons moved to Eugene, they began to travel to the west. “And he told us in 2007 about the opportunities,” so we signed up,” said Marsha. “I returned in order to come out here.”  They worked in the hospitality area in 2008, and this year, manned Tunnel 13, leading to the stands along the east side of Hayward Field. ”We smile, and make them feel welcome,” they said.

The Steffens were part of a great, friendly, polite, smiling work-force that gave of themselves, with no monetary reward. Both summed up the experience, saying of the volunteers, “That’s what makes Eugene great.”