York Barbell Shirts

 by Thom Van Vleck

Gene Thudium, JWC member in the 50's and 60's, sports his old school York Barbell T-shirt.

I don’t know about you, but I have received about 300 meet shirts in the last 30 years.  Probably 200 I competed in, the rest I was a judge, loader, spotter, scorekeeper, patron, or meet director.  I know how many because every few years I thin them out and keep the ones that have sentimental value in a special drawer, give away some, and keep the rest for workouts.  Some shirts become “lucky”…I have a good meet or workout in it and I then use it when I need some “mojo” for a contest or record day.  Some, a select few, get retired and are never worn again.  The ones I give away go to good homes, guys who are really into the lifting or throwing and really appreciate the shirts.  I gave a fellow highland gamer 75 shirts and he made it into a quilt that was pretty cool and he hung it in his living room.  I can go over and point to different designs and almost tell you how I placed, my throws, and even what the weather was like that day. 

Recently, Al and I traveled to Colorado and met with Russ Murphy, a highland games legend.  I got some really old meet shirts from him, about a dozen or so that go back 20 to 30 years.  He even had one that was from the first meet I ever competed in, in 1995.  Mine had been “retired” so I got his and now I have one I can wear, too.  Years ago, World Powerlifting Champ and the man that broke Kaz’s total record, John Ware, gave me a shirt he wore when he broke Kaz’s record.  I kinda felt like the kid in the Coke commercial getting the jersey from Mean Joe Greene.

Shirts can be pretty special.  Today some of us will be heading to York Barbell for the USAWA Heavy Lift Nationals this weekend.  I can’t wait to get there.  I also know that Al has designed the meet shirts using the  York Barbell logo.  I have a feeling this trip will be epic in many ways, mostly me traveling to the “mecca” of weightlifting for the first time in my life!  I remember seeing many photos of Gene in his York Barbell shirt and thinking I would like to have one….now I will and it will be pretty special.  But I wonder, will this shirt become a retired one, or a lucky shirt, or will I give it away…..only time will tell.

York Barbell, here we come!

by Al Myers

The event we have been waiting for a long time is almost here!  Mike Locondro, retail manager of York Barbell, has put LOTS of work and effort into this historic event.  We are very fortunate to be able to share in this event by having our Heavy Lift Nationals in conjunction with it.  Mike has made it clear that this may become an annual affair, and plans to continue the tradition that Bob Hoffman started many years ago of hosting an annual York Picnic that drew in lifters and spectators alike that wanted to share in the experience of celebrating a day of enjoyment centered around York and all types of strength feats.

The official name for this function is the “Wounded Warrior Kettlebell Benefit and Strength Festival”.  Mike Krivka will be teaching and conducting a RKC Kettlebell workshop throughout the day.  There will also be crossfit demos and bending demos.  Other contests of strength will be contested throughout the day.  I have heard there might be a 2″ bar lift competition – I might have to enter that one!  There will also be lots of raffles.  Steve Stanko’s daughter has donated some of her Dad’s personal equipment to be sold in a silent auction with proceeds going to the Wounded Warrior Project benefit.  So bring along extra money!!!  You may want to take part in some of the special auctions.  Mike has told me that because of this charity benefit, several members of our armed forces will be in attendance.

The highlight of the day will be the York Hall of Fame Induction of Slim the Hammerman.  What an opportunity to get your picture taken with a strength legend!  Now on top of this, Mike has said that Joe “the Mighty Atom” Greenstein will also be inducted into the York Hall of Fame.  Things just keep getting better!  I know, without a doubt, that this day will go down in USAWA history as a day we will never forget. I’m sure the attendance will include a “who’s who” of the strength world.   See everyone there!

Nomination Time!

by Al Myers

The USAWA Awards Program was established last year with the first award winners being recognized at the 2010 USAWA National Meeting.  Well, it is time to make nominations for this years’ candidates.  The rules of this are the same as last year. 

  • You  must be a USAWA member to make a nomination or cast a vote
  • Nominated individuals must be a USAWA members to be eligible
  • Only one individual may be nominated per person per award
  • The awards are for the calendar year 2010
  • An individual may be nominated for more than one award

 Athlete of the Year – This award is for the individual who has accomplished the most athletically within the last year in the USAWA. Top placings at the Nationals and World Championships should figure in high. Also, participation in other National Competitions such as the Heavy Event Nationals or Team Nationals could factor in, along with the Gold Cup.

Leadership Award – This is for an individual that has shown exceptional leadership qualities within the USAWA during the past year. Things that should be looked at are: going above the level expected of an Officer position, promoting sanctioned events with emphasis being on promoting National or World Competitions, promoting the USAWA by developing a strong club, writing articles for publications about the USAWA, or through other means.

Sportsmanship Award – This goes to an individual who possesses and shows great sportsmanship within the USAWA. The act of sportsmanship may be by conduct at all events, or by an specific example of exceptional sportsmanship.

Courage Award – This goes to an individual who shows the courage to overcome an obstacle in order to return to competition. This may be a comeback from an injury, or just having to deal with difficult personal issues but still shows the courage to compete in the USAWA.

Newcomer Award– This award goes to an individual who in new to the USAWA or has become involved again. It doesn’t have to go to someone in their first year of being involved in the USAWA.

Please send your nominations to me (at amyers@usawa.com) by June 1st.  All nominations will be kept confidential.  The awards will be presented in conjunction with the awards ceremony at the USAWA National Championships in Kirksville, MO on June 25th.

USAWA Nationals: The AWARDS

Special awards for the USAWA Nationals for 2011 (purchased at pjtool.com)

by Thom Van Vleck

The USAWA Nationals for this year will have a unique award for the participants.  The Jackson Weightlifting Club (JWC) had long been defined by Grandpa Jackson’s Anvil.  For the last few years I have used these real anvils for awards.  Each award will come with a CUSTOMIZED plaque engraved by a Jim Spalding (Jim’s Gems) who is a local jeweler and also happens to be a 6 time Masters World Champion in Highland Games.   When the results are tabulated, we will write down you address and send you an engraved plate that will fit on the award with your placing and name.  How many personalized awards do you have in you trophy case?  I bet not many!  There will also be an 11lb Anvil for the overall best lifter.  Again, it’s a REAL anvil.

The “Original” JWC anvil will be present as well and used in the strongman show at the awards banquet.  We will take it outside and give anyone who wants a crack at lifting the anvil like Grandpa Jackson used to from the ground to overhead.  It is a 150lb Anvil and it’s very “doable”!  The real challenge is to lift it by the horn with one hand, pinch grip it by top or lift it by the neck.

Grandpa Jackson's Anvil - The Centerpiece of the Jackson Weightlifting Club

I will also have a 300lb anvil present….This is the MONSTER that so far has defied all who have tried to lift it overhead.  I want to see someone put that thing overhead!  But at the least, We will have the Whiskey Barrel there and the challenge is to lift the anvil onto the whiskey barrel.   Come on out, the USAWA Nationals will be more than just lifting weights…..we will try and make some history!

THE IRON MISTRESS

BY DAVE GLASGOW

DAVE GLASGOW SPENDING A LITTLE PLAY TIME WITH HIS "IRON MISTRESS"

I ALWAYS ENJOY MY TRIPS TO INDIANA.  IT NEVER FAILS TO CHARGE MY BATTERY JUST SPENDING TIME WITH MY BUDDY, LARRY (FLOYD) TRAUB.  DURING MY RECENT TRIP TO OFFICIATE THE USAWA SANCTIONED POWER MEET THERE, LARRY MADE A COMMENT THAT I CHEWED ON ALL THE WAY HOME.  HERE IS SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT THAT COMMENT.

I MADE MENTION OF THE COMMENT ON LARRY’S ‘CREAKING’ SHOULDER (SEE ‘POWER IN SOUTHERN INDIANA’ ON THIS WEB PAGE).  ONE OF THE KIDS ASKED HIM IF HIS SHOULDER HURT WHEN HE BENCHED, TO WHICH HE SIMPLY SAID, “YES.” A LITTLE WHILE LATER, I SAID TO HIM, “DAMN IT, FLOYD, I TOLD YOU YEARS AGO TO QUIT BENCHIN’.” HE GRINNED, SHRUGGED HIS SHOULDERS AND SAID, “IT’S WHAT I DO!”

EXACTLY RIGHT.  IT’S WHAT HE, AND ALL OF US “DO”.  I UNDERSTOOD INSTANTLY WHAT HE WAS SAYING. PAIN, INJURY, INCONVENIENCE, … YOU NAME IT. WE FIND A WAY TO GET AROUND IT. BECAUSE ‘NOT’ LIFTING IS NEVER AN OPTION.  IT’S A LOT LIKE THAT GIRL YOU USED TO GO OUT WITH. YOU KNOW THAT SHE’S NO GOOD FOR YOU, AND SHE WILL EVENTUALLY BREAK YOUR HEART. HOWEVER, YOU CONTINUE TO SPEND TIME WITH, AND MONEY ON, HER. TRY AS YOU MAY, YOU CAN NEVER END THE ONE WAY AFFAIR.  THERE IS NOT ONE OF US THAT HAS NOT MADE CONCESSIONS SO THAT WE COULD CONTINUE TO DO THE THINGS WE LOVE. IT’S AN INDESCRIBABLE PULL, URGE, CALL IT WHAT YOU WILL. BUT, IT JUST WILL NOT GO AWAY.  I AM NOT SURE IT SHOULD EVER GO AWAY.

WELL, GOTTA GO. THE MISTRESS IS CALLING. HEY, IT’S WHAT I DO, TOO!!

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