The Syracuse Chargers Track Club, Inc.

Originally founded in 1969 as the Syracuse Track Club and renamed in 1972 as one of three original sport clubs of the Syracuse Chargers, Inc., the Syracuse Chargers Track Club, Inc. was independently incorporated in 1986 as an IRS Code 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.

According to the Club’s formal statement of purpose: “The Syracuse Chargers Track Club is dedicated to the development of all aspects of track & field, long distance running, and race walking in Central New York. This includes support for youth developmental programs and the encouragement of individuals of all age groups and abilities to participate in local, regional, and national and international track & field, distance running, and race walking events.”

Comprehensive service is a hallmark of the SCTC, which provides information, programs and events that:

—Serve the recreational, health-maintenance, and competitive needs of individuals in our community as those needs relate to track & field, long distance running, and race walking;

—Represent the Central New York community in the larger sphere of regional, national, and international activities involving track & field, long distance running, and race walking; and

—Promote and further the goals of the sports of track & field, long distance running, and race walking.

The SCTC is among the largest running clubs in the United States. As an all-volunteer organization, the Club relies on its membership to direct and staff all of its year-round programs and activities. These programs and activities further several goals:

EDUCATION. The Club publishes and distributes to its membership twelve monthly issues of the Chargers Newsletter; maintains an internet website (www.syracusechargers.org); established and maintains the Ed Stabler Syracuse Chargers Running Collection within the Syracuse University Library; and conducts and supports a variety of instructional seminars and clinics for a range of audiences.

COMMUNITY FITNESS. The Chargers conduct over fifty races, meets, and organized training runs each year, the vast majority of which have no entry fee and are open to the general public. Other year-round programs that the Club conducts include the Charger Challenge (for non-competitive walkers and runners), the Chargers/Special Olympics Program (for developmentally disabled adults), the Charger Youth Program (including the annual track & field day camp, which the Chargers conduct in conjunction with the City of Syracuse’s Department of Parks, Recreation, and Youth Programs), and the weekly Chargers Track Practices (inside Syracuse University’s Manley Field House December through March, and at Sunnycrest Track April through November).

ATHLETIC DEVELOPMENT. Through the cooperation of Syracuse University, the Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation and Youth Programs, LeMoyne College, and Onondaga County Parks, the SCTC offers a range of insured, staffed, year-round training opportunities in a variety of venues. The Club supplements its training programs with a competitive teams program that supports Chargers athletes of all ages in USA Track & Field Championships competitions.

REPRESENTATION AND SERVICE TO THE SPORT. The SCTC is an active and well-respected member of both USA Track & Field and the Road Runners Club of America. Several SCTC members are participating committee members of each of these national organizations, and the Chargers take seriously the responsibility of representing CNY within those organizations. In addition, the Chargers routinely serve the national organizations as a local source of information and membership registration as well as host and conducting organization for USATF regional and national championships.

For further information about the Syracuse Chargers Track Club, Inc., interested persons are invited to call the Club’s president, Dave Oja (315) 446-6285 daveoja@a-znet.com).

Chargers Challenge This is a program to provide guidance, incentive, and long-term motivation to runners and walkers through awards and recognition. Anyone who walks or runs, of any age or physical ability, is welcome to participate. Ed Polly (315-446-7848)

 Youth Program Youth programs are integral to many of the programs ordinarily geared to adults in the Chargers. For example, most road races have youth age groups in the shorter distances, or fun runs with a participation ribbon. Special events include the Youth Developmental Track Meet and the City of Syracuse track and field clinic. Mark Driscoll (315-449-9615)

 Monthly Newsletter A subscription to our award winning newsletter is mailed to each member. This newsletter provides club news, results and photos of area races and events, information about upcoming events, and other useful information.

 Social Events Several club social events are held throughout the year, including the Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet and the Holiday Party. Mickey Piscitelli (315-638-9662)

 Road Races The Chargers conducts many road races, both low-key and highly competitive, for the entire running community. Help shape the running community and become active in the club that organizes these events!

 All-Comer Track Meets [Winter] [Summer] [Youth] [Throws] Two track meet series plus a youth developmental meet and the throws meets are conducted during the winter and summer seasons. These meets are free to the participant, and are open to athletes of all abilities.

 Chargers Special Olympics Program Emphasizes activity for citizens with special needs. Joe Ribyat (315-449-1019) and Peter Rhodes (315-422-1037)

 Chargers Practice at Manley Field House The indoor track at Manley Field House is available to members during the listed workout times. This is a chance to get out of the cold and get training advice. See the webpage for shedule and instructions.

Care to join? It’s easy! Click HERE to find out how.

Background

In March of 1987, the Board of Directors of the Syracuse Chargers Track Club, Inc. (hereafter referred to as the “Chargers”) approved a set of principles and policies pertaining to the Club’s competitive teams. These policies support the Charger’s mission which, as stated in the Certificate of Incorporation, includes support for competitive participation in track and field, cross country and road running. The charter further states that the Chargers shall support meets with similarly constituted organizations and shall encourage competition by Charger members in age group competition in both national and international events.

The adoption of these policies led to the practice of reimbursing certain Chargers for some of their nominal costs — primarily event entry fees — incurred while competing on Charger teams or on behalf of the Chargers. A committee comprised of Nate White (chair), Mark Powell, Howard Rubin, Dedra Croll, Evelyn White, and Dave Oja developed the following policies:

Road and Cross Country Races

1) The cost of entry fees will be reimbursed for Charger team members only.

2) Competitors must be members of both USATF and the Chargers. Charger competitors should indicate on their USATF membership forms that their club number is 092.

3) The team competition must be legitimate competition. This should be specified on the race entry form. It does not include teams in charity events, a marathon relay team, etc.

4) Following the race, eligible team members who competed may be reimbursed for their entry fee. The team coordinator should assist with the reimbursement process.

5) The team coordinator is responsible for submitting the results for the NEWSLETTER and possible Charger records.

6) Any team money awards should be shared by all formally-declared members of the winning team, not just the scoring members.

7) Team members should wear a Charger T-shirt, singlet, or uniform during competition.

8) Any proposed exceptions to the foregoing should be presented by the team coordinator to the Charger Board prior to the race.

Track and Field

1) Entry fees will be reimbursed for competition in USATF championships — local, regional and national, and for WAVA world championships.

2) Reimbursement of entry fees is limited to a maximum of three (3) events in a meet.

3) Competitors must be members of both USATF and the Chargers. Charger competitors should indicate on their USATF membership forms that their club number is 092;

4) Competitors wishing reimbursement must list themselves as competing for the Syracuse Chargers Track Club and should wear a Charger T-shirt, singlet, or uniform during competition.

5) The team coordinator is responsible for handling reimbursement for the events in which the member competed (up to a maximum of 3 events).

6) The team coordinator is responsible for submitting the results for the NEWSLETTER and for Charger records.

7) Any proposed exceptions to the foregoing should be presented by the team coordinators to the Charger Board prior to the competition.

Please contact the team coordinator if you have any questions.

The Bylaws of the Syracuse Chargers Track Club govern the structure of the organization. The latest revision was passed by the Board of Directors on June 15, 2004. Click on the image below to view them.