COLUMBUS, Ohio - Boston University director of track & field Robyne Johnson and her staff were honored as Track Meet Directors of the Year, the US Track Meet Directors Association announced Saturday. Johnson and her staff were celebrated at the organizations' annual awards breakfast held as part of the USA Track & Field annual meetings.

The USTMDA award recognized Johnson and her staff for their exceptional success and contributions as track meet directors for the year 2017 in the production of a series of indoor track & field competitions that produced many of the finest performances in the United States; the John Thomas Invitational, the Bruce Lehane Scarlet & White Invite, and the David Hemery Invite. 

"I am thrilled and honored for us to be recognized as the Track Meet Directors of the Year," said Johnson. "Our entire staff prides ourselves on organizing and running first class track & field meets and this award tells us we are achieving that goal. We are blessed to call Boston University's Track & Tennis Center home and we look forward to hosting all of you at many more events here in the future."

"The Track Meet Directors are so very pleased to recognize the wonderful organizational and performance successes of Boston University's Coach Robyne Johnson and her staff.  The reputation of the event series has grown in stature throughout the nation with the investment and commitment of Boston University athletic administration and the ongoing management and innovation brought to the theater of competition by Robyne and her coaching staff." said USTMDA President, Bill Clark.

For 13 years the USTMDA has honored individual management success with the Track Meet Director of the Year award and recognized contributions over many years with the presentation of the Howard Schmertz Lifetime Achievement Award.

Recent Meet Director of the Year Honorees:
2017 - Robyne Johnson, Boston University Indoor Series, Boston, MA
2016 - Ray Flynn – Meet Director Wanamaker Millrose Games, New York City, NY
2015 - William Roe – Meet Director Club Northwest All-Comers Series, Seattle, WA

Howard Schmertz Lifetime Achievement
2017 – Harry Mehock, Mansfield-Mehock Relays, Ohio
2016 – Percy Beard, Florida Relays
2015 – Cleburne Price, Houston Astrodome Invitational, Texas

About the US Track Meet Directors Association
The US Track Meet Directors Association promotes the growth of track & field events and encourages collaboration between meet directors throughout the United States.  As an organization, the USTMDA is a proud member of USATF and holds committee status with representatives on five sports committees within the national governing body - Men's & Women's Track & Field, Masters, Youth, and Race walk.  

Track meet and event directors from throughout the country attend meetings to share and exchange information regarding scheduling, marketing and promotion, rule changes, and introduce new event directors to the available advice from experienced members of the USTMDA advisory.