Josh Colley 2021 Track & Field Olympic Trials
AN APPEAL FROM OLYMPIC TRAINEE JOSHUA COLLEY:
In front of the Tunkhannock High School Track and Field stadium stands a historical marker honoring my town's most decorated athlete; John Walter Beardsly Tewksbury who 120 years ago claimed two firsts, two seconds and one third place in the 1900 Paris Olympic Games. One hundred eleven years later my brother, Gavin Colley, was able to surpass Tewksbury’s Olympic winning time in 200 meters.
This moment was the catalyst that started my journey to the Olympics and inspired me to pursue the goal of being the next Olympian from the small Pennsylvania town of Tunkhannock.
Growing up in this small town was where I discovered my athletic abilities. I was motivated and inspired by my older brother's successes in High School Track and Field. I was always fascinated by the jumping events so when I joined the Track and Field team, I decided jumping would be my main focus. I started working on the Long Jump as well as the Triple Jump in 7th grade and competed throughout high school and college continuing to perfect these events.
Track and Field has taught me so much. Primarily, it has taught me self discipline and resilience. When things seem to be falling apart, I learned to stay the course and realign myself. This is where self discipline comes into play as being the most valuable lesson that track and field has taught me. For the past three years I had been training alone day in and day out the only thing that could possibly get in my way was myself. To remind myself of this I had tattooed on my chest “You are your only limit”. The mind is powerful and it can limit your progression. Once you break through there are no limits.
These past three years I have worked diligently to create my own individual training program. I was able to improve my Long Jump from 7.34 meters (24ft 1in) in 2018 to 7.74 meters (25ft 4.7in) in 2020. I researched for countless hours to find the proper training protocols that would work with my body. With all of the knowledge I have gained about this sport I believe that training with an elite coach would benefit me greatly. From 2018-2020 I have made each USATF Indoor Track & Field Championships and finished 3rd in 2019. In 2020, I was the 24th best Long Jumper in the United States!
In March of this year many parts of our country were put on pause due to the COVID19 pandemic. At this time the NCAA has essentially shut down for the year. I was on my way to qualifying for the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in 2020 but will now have to wait until June 2021. This pause gave me time to reflect on what I have accomplished and to reset my goals for the future. I looked for advice from my parents, my brother, my friends, team mates and previous coaches asking them their thoughts on my next move. I knew what I wanted and they all agreed that I should pursue my dream of competing for the USA track and field team.
After extensive research I made the decision in June to train with Coach Mike Young at Athletic Lab, Cary, North Carolina. I relocated to Cary, North Carolina in July to continue my training for the Olympic Trials. (https://athleticlab.com/about/staff/mike-young/).
Attached to this letter you will find a document outlining my accomplishments, goals and how you can become a sponsor to help me in this endeavor. I hope that will consider joining me in this journey. Thank you again for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Joshua Colley
JOSH COLLEY, OLYMPIC TRAINEE
SPONSORSHIP PROPOSAL
Title: Olympic Trainee: Joshua G. Colley
Olympic Trials Location: Hayward Field, Eugene, Oregon June 18-27, 2021
Mailing Address: 126 S Haviland Street Unit 2, Audubon, New Jersey 08106
Website URL: https://jcolley02.wixsite.com/jcjumps
Josh Colley Instagram: https://instagram.com/jc_jumps?igshid=13tmix0p0bud4
Contact Athletic Manager: Gavin Colley
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 570-903-4862
Training Duration: 12 Months
Competition and Training Costs: $25,220
2021 OLYMPICS
This request is to help support Olympic hopeful, Joshua G. Colley, for the 2021 USA track and field Olympic Trials. Josh will be using the next twelve months to refine his long jump technique and overall conditioning to reach the Olympic Trials A standard. These next twelve months Josh plans to spend training with Coach Mike Young and other Olympic hopefuls.
MONITORING AND EVALUATION OF PROGRESS
In order to keep Josh’s supporters, family members and friends informed of Josh’s progress, he will post on his Facebook and Instagram about his training and the progress he is making towards his goals. Once the meet schedule is finalized it will be posted as well as all meet results on his social pages. This will give everyone supporting him the opportunity to see what goes into training for the Olympics Trials.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Josh graduated in 2013 from Tunkhannock Area High School in Pennsylvania and attended Widener University, Chester, PA where he graduated in 2017. Josh earned his bachelor’s degree in Communications as well as competing for the Track and Field team for 4 years under Head Coach Vince Touey where he became an All American.
During Josh’s collegiate career his honors included; All-American in the long jump, three NCAA Division III outdoor track and field championship appearances, two NCAA Division III indoor track and field championship appearances, Widener University long jump school record, three Middle Atlantic conference titles in the long jump and two Middle Atlantic conference titles in the triple jump. This was only the beginning for Josh.
While coaching and training at Penn State Behrend in Erie, Pa Josh qualified for three consecutive USATF Indoor National championships from 2018-2020. In 2019, Josh finished third overall in the long jump after jumping a personal best of 7.53 meters (24 ft 8.5 in) on his final jump in the championship round. In 2020, Josh placed sixth overall at the USA Indoor Championships in New Mexico. His Jump of 7.74 meters (25 ft 4.75 in) eclipsed former NCAA Division I All-Americans, a former world champion and an Olympian Marquis Dendy.
In the 2020 indoor season Josh achieved his personal best jump which ranked him as the twenty-fourth best long jumper in the USA at that time. His dedication to his training from writing his own workouts, researching new techniques, analyzing video and pushing his body to the limit has been manifested in his championship performances.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BuWHGp2AyFo/?igshid=mwy4oi1tk5y0 (Josh 2019 USA Indoor 7.53m)
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8rdpa1nfrC/?igshid=13m2l46nn9d0a (Josh 2020 USA Indoor 7.74m)
QUOTES FROM COACHES
“My name is Greg Cooper, I am the head track and field and cross country coach at Penn State Behrend in Erie, PA. I have been a head track and field coach for 14 years and through that time have been able to work with hundreds of athletes and work alongside numerous coaches in action. I am writing this letter of support for Josh Colley. Josh is an excellent long jump athlete; he has placed in the top 6 in each of the past two Indoor USATF championships. I have worked alongside him during his training and seen him train, write workouts, and coach over the past two years.
As an athlete, Josh is extremely dedicated to his craft. He moved to Erie in October 2018 to become my assistant coach. It was my pleasure not only to have him coach our team, but to see him work out each day. We have an undersized indoor track but no sand pit. Rather than letting that stop him, he worked with our pole vault pads on his runway and form. He utilized our weight room for his strength training. He uses our outdoor track when the weather cooperates, but living in Erie, PA that’s not an everyday thing. Josh had a personal best in 2019 indoors at the USATF championships and then again outdoors. Then this year, at the 2020 USATF Indoor championships he set a personal best again jumping 7.74m.
Josh’s background as an NCAA Division III All American athlete allowed him to learn a lot about track and field in sprints, jumps, and strength and conditioning. All of these help me tremendously as an assistant coach. Unfortunately, in our sport, sometimes head coaches do not make as much as our other sport counterparts.
Each day in our day to day jobs, Josh writes and designs workouts for our athletes. We have seen increased success in our sprints and our jumps as a direct result of his guidance. Not only is Josh, as a long jumper, a valuable piece of the United States Track and Field community, but he is valuable in teaching our young people the skills to improve and develop into our future stars.
I believe he embodies the spirit of athletics and the mindset of citius altius fortius. Each day, getting better, each moment working to improve; all that with the natural ability to make a difference as he competes in meets at the highest level.”
Sincerely,
Greg Cooper
Penn State Behrend, Track and Field & Cross Country Coach
NCAA Regional Representative
“I would like to take this time to talk about Josh Colley. I have known him for 3 years and what stands out to me the most is his drive and work ethic. While working full time, Josh was a part time coach in the University of Scranton’s inaugural season in which he drove an hour each way as well as kept up his training. As a coach, Josh was invaluable and helped me get a brand new program off the ground. But the thing that truly impressed me was his dedication as an athlete. Josh has unbelievable focus and the drive unlike any other athlete in my 12-year coaching career. It is very apparent if you compare where he was in college to where he is today. It has been awesome watching his progression as well as maturity grow even stronger while he continued to hone his craft. I am excited to see how much better he will get as he continues his quest in qualifying for the Olympics. I fully endo.”
Thank you,
Ozzie Brown
Head Men’s and Women’s Track and Field Coach
McDaniel College
“Josh has always been dedicated to the sport of track and field. From putting extra mobility and rehab sessions in, or giving his full attention and precise intensity, Josh did it. By his senior year, he was helping me create his own program to understand the training process which elevates his ability to process the body awareness needed for such a technical event. Josh has a knowledge, work ethic, and talent to become an even better athlete.”
Fallon Hedding
Assistant Coach Men’s and Women’s Track and Field
Eastern University
"Please accept this endorsement on behalf of Widener University Track and Field All American and Alumnus Josh Colley. Josh established himself as one of the most decorated athletes in Widener University history. His dedication to success was only limited to the time he had at Widener. Although a great competitor and highly decorated collegiate athlete, Josh was clearly a late bloomer and needed more time to grow into a national class professional athlete. Josh’s accomplishments since graduating from Widener bear out the fact that he has all the tools to compete for a spot on the US Olympic Team. Josh’s ability to earn a ranking of 24th in the US shows that his never say die attitude has paid off. As the head track and field coach at Widener, I can confidently say that Josh has not yet reached his potential. I also can confidently say that if given the chance to be supported on his journey to making the U.S. Olympic Team, Josh will not disappoint any benefactor willing to share in the glory that comes to those who persevere."
Vince Touey
Head Men’s Cross Country / Track and Field
Widener University
BUDGET
Items Needed for Elite Training | Monthly Expenses | Yearly Expenses (Monthly x 12 months) |
Mike Young Coaching Fee | $275 | $3,300 |
Supplements, Vitamins & Physical Therapy | $200 | $2,400 |
Training Shoes & Competition Spikes | N/A | $500 |
Food | $500 | $6,000 |
Transportation | $325 | $3,900 |
Monthly Total | Yearly Total | |
$1,300 | $16,100 |
Items Needed for Elite Competition Meets | Cost Per Event | Total Cost of All Events |
Elite Competition Event Entry Fees (15 Events) | $35 | $35 x 15 competitions = $525 |
Elite Competition Event Traveling Costs (15 Events) | $125 | $125 x 15 competitions = $1,875 |
Elite Competition Event Lodging Costs (15 events) | $200 | $200 x 15 competitions =3,000 |
2021 USA Indoor Championship Entry Fee | $35 | $35 |
2021 USA Indoor Championship Traveling Costs | $500 | $500 |
2021 USA Indoor Championship Lodging Costs | $500 | $500 |
2021 USA Olympic Trials Entry Fee | $35 | $35 |
2021 USA Olympic Trial Traveling Costs | $650 | $650 |
2021 USA Olympic Trial Lodging Costs | $2,000 | $2,000 |
Competition Season Total | ||
$9,120 |
SPONSORSHIP TIERS (For Businesses/ Corporations)
Tier 1 ($250) One-time “shout-out” on Facebook, Instagram and twitter with product and/or business names. | Tier 2 ($500) A one time shout out on all social media platforms thanking for the support. Logo on JC Jumps Website. Logo on back of competition warm-up T-shirt. |
Tier 3 ($1,000) Logo on JC Jumps Website Logo on back of competition warm-up T-shirt Monthly social media shout outs about what your business does and the benefits of it. | Tier 4 ($1,500) Logo on JC Jumps Website. Logo on back of competition warm-up T-shirt. Logo on fundraising shirt. Weekly social media shout outs about what your business does and the benefits of it. |
If you would like to move forward with our proposal, please send me an email so we can begin discussing and planning next steps. I will follow up with you via email next Friday, July 31st.
Thank you kindly for reviewing our proposal. If you have additional questions, I can be reached at [email protected] or by phone at 570-903-4862.
Sincerely,
Gavin Colley, Athletic Manager on behalf of Joshua Colley, Olympic Trainee