NSCA... Why?

I was actually going to refrain from writing this post, but recent events mean that I cannot resist. This may well prevent me from having any official input in the NSCA Soccer & Rugby SIG (we actually had a good meeting at the National Conference), but I feel I have to vent on this one.

Me right now (some Hollywood glamorization added)

NSCA National Conference

Why did you schedule all of the sport science related presentations during the same time slots, forcing us to take in presentations at other times that were little more than infomercials?

Why could I not hear the excellent presentation by Dr. Greg Haff because of the medicine ball convention next door?

Why did your president make inappropriate jokes about the Japanese natural disaster (and subsequent radiation leaks) at the awards banquet? Referring to the Japanese people in attendance: "It must be fine and safe to visit Japan because they are not glowing" Dr. Jay Hoffman. Thanks for this.

Why not be more honest about the "state of the union" at the awards banquet. No everything is not perfect and, everyone knows it and the entire audience is cringing. Why not state the problems and address them?

Why was the (30+ minute long) introduction for the lifetime achievement award more about the presenter than the worthy recipient? I honestly cannot remember who won the award because of this. I certainly know everything about the presenter though (I am not talking about the other presenter, Dan Wathen).

Why did all of the student / poster awards go to students from the same school?

Why did the exhibit hall resemble a circus / nightclub at times? Did that DJ really need a gig that bad? Evidence-based practice? Bridging the gap? BS.

Why were some new friends of mine from down under utterly gobsmacked at the amount of fluff present in every facet of the conference? I hope they at least got to network to make the trip worthwhile.

Since the National Conference

Why have I received 3 random advertisements in the mail in the last 2 weeks, all with battling ropes on the cover? I want to receive your publications, not humorous comics.

Why has my (previously spam-free) gmail account been bombarded by strength and conditioning related junk mail since I used this email address to register for the conference? The last one of which included all 500 other email addresses that it was sent to (all Conference attendees). I now can use these addresses or sell them to whoever I wish. No Mark Archambault, I am not interested in your RAPS seminar and I am shocked that a professional organization that we are members of sold all our contacts details to such a careless "associate". Yes Mark, I am calling you and your organization out:

5 of the 489 other email addresses blanked out by me for their privacy
(send comments to Mark: mla4256@aol.com)

Why does the latest Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research have over 300 pages, and it now published 12 times per year? Has the amount of GOOD QUALITY research really tripled since I became a member in 2005 (when there were 4 issues per year)?

Moving Forward

I first came into contact with the NSCA as a 15 year old when I was checking out training resources at Exeter University library. I instantly became obsessed with strength and conditioning and had a great deal of respect for the organization. The above things are little, and this is without doubt a rant, but it is things like these that are destroying our profession. We are here to make our athletes and teams better, not promote ourselves, or whoever wants to give us a little cash.

Will I still attend NSCA events and keep my certification? Yes. Will I look to contribute to the NSCA journals and the Soccer and Rugby SIG? If they let me, but this is all only because I am still an optimist and feel young professionals such as myself CAN make a difference if we speak up and express our concerns.