I’m sharing the letter I wrote to NY WSO President James McDermott:
President James McDermott,
I am officially notifying you that I am stepping down as the Hudson Valley Regional Representative for the NY WSO. Consider this an open letter that can be shared with the membership. It has been an honor to serve for both the NY WSO and the previous LWC. I am proud of what we accomplished in my seven combined years on both boards.
Under my tenure with NY LWC President Christopher Smith, governorships were established to represent the different regions of NY. The NYS Weightlifting Championships were instituted to celebrate NY weightlifting at a high caliber event. This initial board that I worked with helped stoke my passion for the sport as I worked with like minds to promote and elevate NY weightlifting.
Under NY WSO President James McDermott, we streamlined the administration of the WSO while expanding and improving the NYS Weightlifting Championships. This event has gotten such tremendous positive feedback that is has been said to be run even better than many national events. This only happened due to the collaborative efforts of the entire board and the dedicated leadership of James McDermott. We celebrate athletes, coaches and teams. Everything we have done has been run through our filter of what would be better for NY weightlifting, and how can we improve on that year after year.
Thank you to all of the board members that I’ve worked with over the years and to everyone who supported us and NY weightlifting. I’m proud of this community. I hope that others will step up to continue to improve upon what we have built.
Life has taken me in a different direction, and I am no longer a NY resident. For the first time in my life, I am living in another state. I am still involved in the sport as a Coach, Technical Official and as an athlete. I look forward to reconnecting with the many friends I have made so far on this journey. I’ll see you on the platform soon.
Joe Rodriguez NYWSO Hudson Valley Regional Rep (retired)
I have moved to the Orlando area in Florida. The majority of the team is still training and doing great in Fishkill, NY. I am still coaching/programming for them and other remote athletes around the country. The move with the family is a great new adventure for us. Leaving NY was bittersweet. I will absolutely miss the in person interactions with the team and our extended family at Ascension Athletics. At one of our last team sessions, my peeps threw me a little goodbye party and gave me some really cool gifts that have tremendous sentimental value. I am so grateful to have worked with such a good bunch of people that I’m happy to call friends.
The team will continue in Fishkill overseen by Coach Jemel, along with Coaches Ian, Cheyenne, & Emily.
I still have some unfinished business in NY and will remain on the NY WSO board until that is done. On that note, I am proud of all the work done by the board over the 7 years that I’ve been involved (WSO & LWC). I am grateful to have worked with many caring individuals over the years who have built NY weightlifting into what it is today. There were many challenges along the way, but together, we have worked wonders. In no particular order, many thanks to: James McDermott, current President, Chris Smith, past LWC President, Frank Ford, Jerry Dunne, Erica Caso, Alyssa Gordon, Michelle Woogen, Brian DeGennaro, Frank Mintz, Jeff Scott, Joe Triolo, Dena Smith, Arthur Dreschler, & Sara Soto. I’m hopeful that more people from the NY weightlifting community will step up to carry that torch and continue the work. Please think of throwing your hat in the ring and giving back to the sport.
For the moment, my plan is to train locally at Oly Concepts. Danny Camargo has a nice facility with a great vibe. I am still available for remote coaching. If you are interested, please reach out.
Come join us at the Olympic Weightlifting Clinic in Cleveland TN
Come join us at CrossFit Portum on June 1, 2024, for an exciting Olympic Weightlifting Clinic in Cleveland, TN, USA! Whether you’re a beginner looking to learn the basics or a seasoned lifter wanting to refine your technique, this event is perfect for you. Coach Joe Rodriguez will guide you through proper form, technique, and training tips to help you reach your lifting goals. Don’t miss this opportunity to improve your skills and meet fellow weightlifting enthusiasts. See you there!
The 2024 Hudson Valley Regional Open will be held at the Gold’s Gym Sports Complex in LaGrange, NY.
Competition is open to ALL registered USAW athletes
Awards for top 3 in each weight division and, by Sinclair for Outstanding Masters (SMF), Juniors, Youth (M/F) and Best Lifter (M/F) in the Open Category
A USAW sanctioned meet and official qualifier for all national events.
The Hudson Valley Regional Open is open to youth, junior, senior, and master ages, and novice lifters. It is an open competition, so weight classes for youth will be slotted in to senior weight classes, however, USAW will give proper credit for the youth’s actual weight for the purpose of qualifying totals.
This event is free for spectators. Please come and cheer on your friends, family, and peers. The preliminary schedule will be published closer to the event date based upon registrations
Clothing: A weightlifting singlet is mandatory, as per USAW/IWF rules. Please review the official guidelines
Refund Policy: There are no refunds allowed for this event. A valid USA Weightlifting membership is required to compete in this meet regardless of whether you’re competing in the Novice or Open category. You will need to present a digital or paper copy of your active USAW membership at the competition at weigh in.
Tentative Schedule
MALE: Lighter Wgt Classes/B session 7:00 AM 9:00 AM
FEMALE: Lighter Wgt Classes/B session 9:45 AM 11:45 AM
MALE: Heavier Wgt Classes 12:30 PM 2:30 PM
FEMALE: Heavier Wgt Classes 3:15 PM 5:15 PM
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2024 Hudson Valley Winter Classic
Thank you to all who came out for this meet! To the people who helped with set up/breakdown and officiating/loading – Thank you, thank you, thank you. It wouldn’t happen without you! To all who attended and gave it your all, awesome job! There were some really great performances. Thank you to our sponsors, Docs Nutrition Depot, who gave out supplements and drinks to the athletes & Dr. Katherine Whitman, PT, for working on the athletes.
Meet results have been posted to USAW & are viewable here.
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2023 Hudson Valley Regional Open – Results +
Thank you to everyone who helped/participated in another great Hudson Valley competition. Results have been uploaded to USAW. They are also available here.
An email was sent out to athletes regarding purchasing photos from the event. The fundraiser for the Cancer Research Institute is still open – Please donate!
Thank you to all who came out for this meet! To the people who helped with set up/breakdown and officiating/loading – Thank you, thank you, thank you. It wouldn’t happen without you! To all who attended and gave it your all, awesome job! There were some really great performances. Thank you to our sponsors, Docs Nutrition Depot, who gave out supplements and drinks to the athletes & Dr. Katherine Whitman, PT, for working on the athletes.
Meet results have been posted to USAW & are viewable here.
———————————————————-
2023 Hudson Valley Regional Open – Results +
Thank you to everyone who helped/participated in another great Hudson Valley competition. Results have been uploaded to USAW. They are also available here.
An email was sent out to athletes regarding purchasing photos from the event. The fundraiser for the Cancer Research Institute is still open – Please donate!
Thank you to all who came out for this meet! To the people who helped with set up/breakdown and officiating/loading – Thank you, thank you, thank you. It wouldn’t happen without you! To all who attended and gave it your all, awesome job! There were some really great performances. Thank you to our sponsors, Docs Nutrition Depot, who gave out supplements and drinks to the athletes & Dr. Katherine Whitman, PT, for working on the athletes.
Meet results have been posted to USAW & are viewable here.
———————————————————-
2023 Hudson Valley Regional Open – Results +
Thank you to everyone who helped/participated in another great Hudson Valley competition. Results have been uploaded to USAW. They are also available here.
An email was sent out to athletes regarding purchasing photos from the event. The fundraiser for the Cancer Research Institute is still open – Please donate!
Thank you to all who came out for this meet! To the people who helped with set up/breakdown and officiating/loading – Thank you, thank you, thank you. It wouldn’t happen without you! To all who attended and gave it your all, awesome job! There were some really great performances. Thank you to our sponsors, Docs Nutrition Depot, who gave out supplements and drinks to the athletes & Dr. Katherine Whitman, PT, for working on the athletes.
Meet results have been posted to USAW & are viewable here.
———————————————————-
2023 Hudson Valley Regional Open – Results +
Thank you to everyone who helped/participated in another great Hudson Valley competition. Results have been uploaded to USAW. They are also available here.
An email was sent out to athletes regarding purchasing photos from the event. The fundraiser for the Cancer Research Institute is still open – Please donate!
The 2024 Hudson Valley Winter Classic will be held at All Sport Health & Fitness on January 20, 2024. This is a premier location that will give athletes access to sauna & hot tub. Spectators can view on the main floor or on the second floor.
Thank you to everyone who helped/participated in another great Hudson Valley competition. Results have been uploaded to USAW. They are also available here.
An email was sent out to athletes regarding purchasing photos from the event. The fundraiser for the Cancer Research Institute is still open – Please donate!
The 2023 Hudson Valley Regional Open will be a premier event, held at the Gold’s Gym Sports Complex in LaGrange, NY. This is also a fundraiser for the Cancer Research Institute! A portion of the funds will go to them. We are also asking for everyone to donate on top of our promised amount. Please support the effort by posting this flyer.
