How did Patrick Anderson’s life in Raleigh, NC unfold. What were the early signs of his joyful nature. How did his passion for sports impact his health. What led to his tragic demise. How can we learn from Patrick’s story to prevent similar tragedies.
The Early Years: Patrick’s Vibrant Personality Shines Through
Patrick Anderson, a young man from Raleigh, NC, was known for his mischievous nature and zest for life from an early age. His mother, LeeAnn Anderson, recalls a memorable incident when Patrick was just three years old:
“Patrick decided it would be funny if he peed off the upper floor landing while his sister and I were standing in the hall on the first floor. He was giggling and grinning from ear to ear. Seconds after the shockwave came and went, the three of us were crying with laughter.”
This event set the tone for Patrick’s future as a natural-born entertainer and prankster. His ability to bring joy and laughter to those around him became a defining characteristic throughout his life.
Patrick’s Unique Approach to Life and Friendships
As Patrick grew older, his warm and inclusive nature became even more apparent. He approached strangers with genuine kindness, offering a smile, eye contact, and a warm handshake. His mother describes his outlook:
“He didn’t see the color of their skin, or the clothes they were wearing, he saw the individual.”
This open-mindedness and acceptance of others allowed Patrick to form deep connections and build a diverse group of friends. His home became a hub for social gatherings, filled with laughter and camaraderie.
A Natural Athlete: Patrick’s Love for Sports and Adventure
From a young age, Patrick displayed exceptional physical abilities and an innate awareness of his body’s capabilities. His adventurous spirit earned him the nickname “Monkeyboy” due to his penchant for climbing anything he deemed manageable.
Patrick’s athletic pursuits were diverse and exciting:
- Skimboarding: He mastered the skill of backflipping off his skimboard while riding a wave.
- Skateboarding: His preferred mode of transportation in elementary school.
- Football: Played in fourth and fifth grade, winning city championships with his team.
- Kiteboarding and wakeboarding: Started at age 13.
- Snowboarding: Began at age 9 and became his favorite sport.
Patrick’s mother, LeeAnn, encouraged his adventurous nature, believing in the “Art of Possibility” to build confidence in her children. She trusted their internal instincts and rarely held them back from physical challenges.
The Impact of Team Sports: Lessons in Diversity and Inclusion
Patrick’s experience playing football in elementary school provided valuable life lessons. As the only non-African American player on his team, he gained insight into what it felt like to be different and isolated. This experience shaped his inclusive worldview and strengthened his ability to connect with people from all walks of life.
Why did Patrick stop playing football after fifth grade? When asked by his aunt in middle school, he simply replied, “it made my head hurt.” This seemingly innocuous statement would later take on a more profound meaning in light of his future health struggles.
Adrenaline Junkie: Patrick’s Thrill-Seeking Adventures
Patrick’s love for extreme sports and adventure was a defining aspect of his personality. His mother fondly remembers their shared experiences:
“Patrick was my adventure buddy. We were adrenaline junkies. From the time he was little, it was always the two of us on family vacations jumping off cliffs/waterfalls and my husband and daughter watching and taking pictures.”
One particularly memorable moment occurred during a snowboarding trip to Breckenridge, Colorado. LeeAnn recalls:
“I’ll never forget the look on his face the first time I took him up to Peak 8 in Breckenridge. When he saw the drop into the bowl for the first time, he looked at me like I was the crazy one. I looked him in the eye and told him, ‘you have this, just follow me and you’ll do great.’ Not only did he do great, he was hooked.”
The Shadow of Concussions: Patrick’s First Diagnosed Head Injury
Patrick’s first diagnosed concussion occurred during his sophomore year of high school. The incident happened when he tripped and hit his head on a concrete parking lot curb. His parents took him to urgent care and followed up with a private doctor the next day.
How was Patrick’s concussion managed?
- His lacrosse coach was notified of the injury.
- Concussion protocol was followed.
- He was cleared to practice and play with the team after two weeks.
Despite following the standard procedures, Patrick continued to experience headaches from time to time. When his mother took him to the doctor, everything appeared to check out okay. However, LeeAnn now reflects on this decision with regret:
“If I knew then what I know now, I would have taken him to a doctor who specializes in concussions.”
The Turning Point: A Violent Incident and Its Consequences
During Patrick’s senior year of high school, a violent altercation occurred that would have far-reaching consequences for his health. While attempting to break up a fight and pull a boy off one of his friends, Patrick was sucker-punched.
This incident likely resulted in another concussion, although it’s unclear whether it was formally diagnosed or treated at the time. The cumulative effect of multiple head injuries can be devastating, and this event may have contributed to Patrick’s future health struggles.
Understanding the Long-Term Effects of Repeated Concussions
The story of Patrick Anderson highlights the critical importance of recognizing and properly managing concussions, especially in young athletes. Repeated head injuries can lead to serious long-term consequences, including:
- Chronic headaches
- Memory problems
- Difficulty concentrating
- Mood changes
- Depression and anxiety
- In severe cases, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)
How can we prevent tragedies like Patrick’s? It’s crucial to implement comprehensive concussion management protocols in schools and sports programs. This includes:
- Proper education for coaches, parents, and athletes about concussion symptoms and risks
- Immediate removal from play when a concussion is suspected
- Thorough evaluation by healthcare professionals specializing in concussion management
- Gradual return-to-play protocols based on individual recovery
- Long-term monitoring of athletes with a history of concussions
The Legacy of Patrick Anderson: Raising Awareness and Promoting Change
Patrick Anderson’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the potential dangers associated with contact sports and repeated head injuries. His family’s decision to share their experience through the Concussion Legacy Foundation helps raise awareness about the long-term effects of concussions and the need for better prevention and management strategies.
By understanding Patrick’s journey, we can work towards creating safer environments for young athletes and ensuring that proper protocols are in place to protect their long-term health and well-being. His legacy lives on through the efforts to educate and prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
The Importance of Specialized Care for Concussions
One of the key takeaways from Patrick’s story is the importance of seeking specialized care for concussions. LeeAnn’s regret about not taking Patrick to a concussion specialist highlights a common issue in concussion management. General practitioners may not always have the specific expertise needed to properly diagnose and treat complex concussion cases.
What are the benefits of seeing a concussion specialist?
- More accurate diagnosis using advanced imaging techniques
- Comprehensive evaluation of cognitive and physical symptoms
- Tailored treatment plans based on individual needs
- Expertise in managing post-concussion syndrome
- Better understanding of return-to-play timelines
By emphasizing the need for specialized care, we can help ensure that young athletes like Patrick receive the most appropriate treatment and support following a concussion.
The Role of Sports Culture in Concussion Management
Patrick’s story also sheds light on the broader issue of sports culture and its impact on concussion management. The pressure to return to play quickly after an injury is often intense, particularly in competitive environments. This can lead to rushed recoveries and increased risk of further injury.
How can we create a safer sports culture?
- Prioritize athlete health over competitive success
- Encourage open communication about symptoms and concerns
- Implement strict return-to-play protocols
- Provide education on the long-term risks of playing through injuries
- Foster a supportive environment for injured athletes
By addressing these cultural factors, we can help create an environment where athletes like Patrick feel comfortable reporting their symptoms and taking the necessary time to recover fully.
The Impact of Concussions on Mental Health
While Patrick’s story primarily focuses on the physical aspects of concussions, it’s crucial to acknowledge the potential mental health impacts of repeated head injuries. Research has shown that individuals with a history of concussions are at increased risk for depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders.
What mental health considerations should be addressed in concussion management?
- Regular screening for mood changes and mental health symptoms
- Integration of mental health support into concussion recovery plans
- Education for athletes and families about potential psychological effects
- Long-term monitoring of mental health following concussion history
- Development of coping strategies for dealing with post-concussion symptoms
By addressing both the physical and mental health aspects of concussions, we can provide more comprehensive care for athletes like Patrick and better support their overall well-being.
The Future of Concussion Research and Prevention
Patrick Anderson’s story underscores the need for continued research and innovation in the field of concussion prevention and treatment. As our understanding of brain injuries evolves, so too must our approaches to protecting athletes and managing their recovery.
What areas of concussion research show promise for the future?
- Advanced neuroimaging techniques for more accurate diagnosis
- Genetic studies to identify individuals at higher risk for concussion complications
- Development of new protective equipment and technologies
- Exploration of novel treatment approaches, including targeted therapies
- Long-term studies on the cumulative effects of multiple concussions
By investing in these areas of research, we can hope to develop more effective strategies for preventing and managing concussions, potentially sparing future athletes from the tragic fate that befell Patrick Anderson.
The Role of Policy and Legislation in Concussion Management
As awareness of the serious nature of concussions grows, there is an increasing push for policy and legislative changes to protect athletes. Many states have already implemented laws requiring specific concussion protocols in youth sports, but there is still room for improvement.
What policy changes could help prevent concussion-related tragedies?
- Mandatory concussion education for all coaches, parents, and athletes
- Stricter enforcement of return-to-play guidelines
- Required presence of medical professionals at sporting events
- Improved reporting and tracking of concussion incidents
- Funding for concussion research and prevention programs
By advocating for these policy changes, we can create a safer environment for young athletes and help prevent stories like Patrick’s from repeating.
Honoring Patrick’s Memory: Turning Tragedy into Positive Change
The loss of Patrick Anderson is a heartbreaking reminder of the potential dangers associated with contact sports and repeated head injuries. However, by sharing his story and working with organizations like the Concussion Legacy Foundation, his family is helping to create positive change in his memory.
How can we honor Patrick’s legacy and work towards a safer future for athletes?
- Support concussion awareness and education initiatives
- Advocate for stronger safety measures in youth sports
- Encourage open dialogue about the risks and management of concussions
- Participate in or donate to concussion research programs
- Share stories like Patrick’s to raise awareness and inspire change
By taking these steps, we can help ensure that Patrick’s tragic experience serves as a catalyst for positive change in the world of sports and concussion management. His vibrant spirit and love for life can continue to inspire others to prioritize safety and well-being in athletics, potentially saving lives and preserving the joy of sports for future generations.
Patrick Anderson | Concussion Legacy Foundation
A HISTORY OF BRAIN TRAUMA, AND THE DEATH OF OUR JOYFUL BOY
By LeeAnn Anderson
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My earliest recollection of glimpsing Patrick’s true nature; mischievous jokester, lover of life, occurred at age three. Patrick decided it would be funny if he peed off the upper floor landing while his sister and I were standing in the hall on the first floor. He was giggling and grinning from ear to ear. Seconds after the shockwave came and went, the three of us were crying with laughter. Patrick could be so random! Like the time in high school he asked his friend to pull over while driving through a local park. Patrick jumped out of the car and ran over to a group of folks playing a giant game of Jenga. Without stopping or saying a word he tackled the game pieces rolled across the grass and trotted back to his friends! The video is hilarious. The shockwave for those folks lasted a little longer than a few seconds, his friends are in the car busting a gut! Making people laugh was Patrick’s passion.
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Patrick was beautiful. Kind and compassionate, he made friends easily. Patrick approached strangers like he wanted to be treated; with a smile, eye contact and a warm handshake. He didn’t see the color of their skin, or the clothes they were wearing, he saw the individual. Patrick was also blessed with natural physical abilities, instinctively aware of his physical boundaries from a very early age. “Monkeyboy” was his acquired nickname as he would literally climb anything deemed manageable by his young persona, which was most things. We were a good match, my parenting style encouraged discovery. If he felt physically capable of a feat, I rarely ever told him no. Believing in the “Art of Possibility” to build confidence in my children, I trusted their internal instincts.
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As Patrick grew older, he ventured into team sports but also had a passion for solo sports. Skimboarding was a favorite from an early age, he eventually acquired the skill to backflip off his skimboard while taking a wave.
For obvious reasons this practice was not my favorite. In elementary school a skateboard was his favorite mode of transportation. Confidence, independence, and comfort in his own skin were all traits Patrick displayed from an early age. Patrick played football in the fourth and fifth grade. Being on a team with all African American boys, Patrick learned how it felt to be isolated, how it felt to be the kid that looked different. Navigating “how do I fit in” was an incredible lesson that Patrick never forgot. Patrick was loved by his teammates and he loved them back; he became their friend, their brother. The Tigers won the city championship two years in a row! When my sister asked him in middle school why he didn’t play football anymore he said, “it made my head hurt.”
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Patrick started kiteboarding and wakeboarding when he was 13, but his favorite was snowboarding which he started when he was nine. I’ll never forget the look on his face the first time I took him up to Peak 8 in Breckenridge.
When he saw the drop into the bowl for the first time, he looked at me like I was the crazy one. I looked him in the eye and told him, “you have this, just follow me and you’ll do great.” Not only did he do great, he was hooked.
Patrick was my adventure buddy. We were adrenaline junkies. From the time he was little, it was always the two of us on family vacations jumping off cliffs/waterfalls and my husband and daughter watching and taking pictures.
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Patrick didn’t just have friends; he had a tribe. Kids naturally gravitated towards his non-judgmental attitude. His kind, compassionate nature along with his sense of humor and thirst to find the possibilities in every day was like a light to a moth. Kids were always at our house. The older he got the bigger the group became. I loved having them. Now that Patrick is gone, there is a quietness about the house during the months that he would naturally be home. It’s weird and it takes some getting used to. I play music to keep it from being so noticeable.
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A HISTORY OF CONCUSSIONS
When Patrick was a sophomore in high school, he received his first diagnosed concussion. He was running and somehow tripped and hit his head on a concrete parking lot curb. Banged up pretty badly, we took him to urgent care, then to a private doctor the next day. His lacrosse coach was notified and concussion protocol was followed. Two weeks later he was cleared to practice and play with the team. He complained of headaches from time to time but when I took him to the doctor everything checked out OK. If I knew then what I know now, I would have taken him to a doctor who specializes in concussions.
Patrick’s senior year, he was sucker punched while trying to pull a boy off one of his best friends during an attack. It was dark and Patrick didn’t see the other kid coming. At 6’ 1”, Patrick fell backwards hard and was knocked out cold. Another boy who was there said Patrick was unconscious for about a minute.
A third concussion occurred the summer before he started his freshman year at Appalachian State University.
Patrick and friends were wakeboarding on a trip to the beach, he wiped out, and the board hit him in the head. He was unconscious in the water for a few seconds. He didn’t go see a doctor after this incident and didn’t make us aware that it even happened until much later in the summer. We found a prescription for Ibuprofen amongst his things, he apparently was still having headaches from time to time.
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The last day Patrick was alive was Valentine’s Day 2019. This seems appropriate to me given his ability to love deeply. Other than being Valentine’s Day, it seemed to be a normal day for him at school. We texted back and forth, I sent him $50 and a funny pair of socks for the holiday. My husband talked to him several times that afternoon. He sent a funny picture of himself wearing protective goggles during a routine medical exam with a goofy smile on his face like he was in mid laughter! He put his deposit down on his apartment for the following year and he paid for his spring break trip.
Later that evening Patrick met up with his friends at the “cabin,” a regular hang out spot in Boone, NC. On his way out of the dorm, he ran into his good friend Hannah. She said they chatted for several minutes, caught up, and exchanged hugs before Patrick began his walk.
That night, the boys without girlfriends hung out, drank a few beers, started goofing around and being silly. At some point they started to joke-wrestle with each other. Patrick and another boy ended up falling over the porch railing and down a slight hill. They both said they were OK and the fun resumed. At 10:30 p.m. Patrick asked a girl to an upcoming formal, she said yes. Being a school night, the boys disbanded around 11:30 p.m. Patrick was there with his very best friend Palmer, who he said goodnight to and then walked back to his dorm alone.
There is video footage of Patrick walking into the dorm at 12:10 a.m. His roommate JT wasn’t yet home, he had fallen asleep in another friend’s dorm room.
Video footage shows JT entering the dorm at approximately 3:00 a.m. Two minutes later 911 was called. JT tried to revive Patrick but he was gone.
No note, nothing in a text message, or email. Nothing in his sketchbook, no dark poetry. The police interviewed over 20 kids, not one said they noticed that Patrick was different, withdrawn, not himself. We, his family, had just spent 10 days in Belize over Christmas break. My husband bought us all tickets to go see Justin Timberlake in concert. We went to see the latest Marvel movie, Patrick’s favorite. Spent time just hanging around the house together. Everything seemed normal.
So, what happened? Why did this carefree kid, who loved his family, had multiple tribes, and felt blessed to be a part of this college experience at App State suddenly end his life?
This doesn’t make any sense. I realize that suicide survivors often say the same thing about their loved one that has passed. I strongly feel something is out of place. Intuitively, I would have known something was going on with Patrick.
We were too close, there is no way I wouldn’t have felt an underlying pain if Patrick was hiding something.
BRAIN TRAUMA AND PATRICK: WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED.
Concussions, brain trauma and CTE had recently come into focus as more and more research, documentaries, and athletes stepped forward. With that in mind, my focus started to shift to Patrick’s past concussions and the fall he took the night he died. I remember thinking, the fall must have been significant because several of the boys mentioned it to me the day of his service. Was it possible that he hit his head that night during the fall and reinjured a part of his brain that had been previously damaged? While he was alone in his dorm room in the middle of the night did his brain experience an aneurism, did it short circuit somehow?
I connected with several psychic mediums to try and find answers. Through that process, I was able to communicate with Patrick and learn he felt very intense pressure deep in his head that night.
He couldn’t process how dangerous his actions were and thought an escape from the pain would mean sleep, not death. This revelation was incredibly significant.
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My goal in sharing my journey in connecting with my son after his death is to highlight the connection between brain trauma and suicide. Studies show suffering just one concussion doubles your risk of suicide. Even without any history of depression or observable changes in mood, it’s important for everyone to understand the potential link. Patrick wasn’t depressed, he was hopeful and full of life. Something happened in his brain that night that can’t fully be explained, not yet. My hope is there will be more research and more questions will be asked like, did the deceased recently experience a fall that could have damaged their brain? Was the deceased healing from a recent concussion? Unless this knowledge is documented, how can it be researched? How will we as a society be aware of the danger without awareness and education?
Click here to donate to the Anderson family fundraiser in memory of Patrick Anderson.
Suicide is preventable and help is available. If you are concerned that someone in your life may be suicidal, the five #BeThe1To steps are simple actions anyone can take to help someone in crisis. If you are struggling to cope and would like some emotional support, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 to connect with a trained counselor. It’s free, confidential, and available to everyone in the United States. You do not have to be suicidal to call.
Are you or someone you know struggling with lingering concussion symptoms? We support patients and families through the CLF HelpLine, providing personalized help to those struggling with the outcomes of brain injury. Submit your request today and a dedicated member of the Concussion Legacy Foundation team will be happy to assist you.
This story adheres to the Recommendations for Reporting on Suicide from reportingonsuicide.org
Patrick Anderson – Cross Country
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Majoring in environmental studies .
.. Named to the ACC Academic Honor Roll for 2020-21 and 2021-22 … Recipient of the men’s cross country 2020-21 Strength & Conditioning Newcomer Award
2023 T&F: Competed in the mile, 3K and 5K during indoor season … Top 3,000-meter time was 8:09.50 to finish eighth at the Penn State National Invitational … Finished 23rd at the ACC Indoor Championship in the 5,000 meters (in 14:17.21) and 29th in the 3,000 meters (8:13.44).
2022 XC: Earned All-ACC and All-NCAA Southeast Regional honors … Finished 15th at the ACC Championships, finishing the 8K race in 23:20.8 … Crossed the tape in sixth place at the NCAA Southeast Regional, finishing the 10K race in 29:59.1 … Was 113th at the NCAA Championships, finishing the 10K in 30:21.0 … His best 8K finish of the year was 23:04.4, a second-place finish in the Paul Short Run on Sept. 30.
2022 T&F: During the indoor season, won the 5000m at the Indiana Relays in 14:00.
87, the second-fastest time in school history … Also won the 3000m at the Darius Dixon Invitational (7:54.64) … During the outdoor season, competed in the 5000m and 10,000m at NCAA Preliminaries … Second-team All-ACC in the 10,000 meters … Named to the All-ACC Academic Team for outdoors
2021 XC: Placed second at the season-opening Charlotte Opener (14:50.1) … Placed 26th at ACC Championships, 21st at NCAA Regionals and 108th at NCAA Championships … Earned All-Southeast Region honors … Named to the All-ACC Academic Team
2021 TF: Placed third in men’s 10,000 meters at ACC Outdoor Championships to earn first team All-ACC honors … NCAA First Round qualifier in the men’s 5,000 meters … Named to the All-ACC Academic Team for men’s outdoor track & field … Earned USTFCCCA All-Academic for the 2021 track season
2020 XC: Fourth among Tar Heels and 42nd overall at ACC Championships (24:12.1) .
.. Led the Tar Heels and placed third overall vs. Wake Forest and NC State on Oct. 16, covering the 8K course in 24:49.71
Before UNC: Graduate of Mt. Lebanon High School … Two-time state champion in cross country (2018, 2019) … 2019 Foot Locker Northeast Champion … 2019 Foot Locker Finals bronze medalist … 2018 Foot Locker finalist (29th place) … 2019 New Balance Nationals All-American in the outdoor mile (sixth place)
More on Anderson: Son of Meghan and Todd Anderson
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Jeff Skinner getting ready for a tough game
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Heather Angel
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BUFFALO – Jeff Skinner doesn’t know what’s in store for him.
The Buffalo Sabers forward will play against the Carolina Hurricanes, his former team, for the first time. The game will take place at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina on Friday (Saturday, 03:30 GMT).
Skinner spent his first eight NHL seasons with the Hurricanes. On August 2, 2018, he was traded to the Buffalo Buffalo for forward Cliff Poo and three draft picks. The hockey player hopes that the game will be interesting, but it will not be easy.
“Of course I will. It’s part of the game, of life,” Skinner said.
Video: BAF-ANA: Skinner dealt with the goaltender spectacularly
Sabers coach Phil Housley understands Skinner well because he’s been in that situation himself.
Houseley played the first nine seasons for Buffalo, and then there was an exchange, and on January 4, 19At 91, he played for the first time against the Sabres with the Winnipeg Jets.
“You can prepare for this match as much as you like, but until you get on the ice, you start playing against former teammates, you will worry,” Houseley said. “He needs to go through this. We understand that this match is very is important to him. So we are doing everything to help him cope with emotions. On the other hand, this is an interesting moment for him. So far, he is doing great work, he has become a good partner, plays efficiently, does everything that is asked of him. We need to support him in Carolina.”
Skinner was selected by the Carolinas with the seventh overall pick in the 2010 draft. He didn’t know what was in store for him at Buffalo when the trade took place. But he was received very warmly. “Since then, everything has been great,” he says.
Skinner easily fit into the new team.
He spent most of the season on the left side of the top three with center Jack Eichel. Skinner currently ranks first with the Sabres in goals scored (29) and second in the NHL behind Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals. In scoring (42) Skinner is second in Buffalo (Ikel – 49).
With that performance, Skinner can score 55 goals and 80 points, breaking two personal bests of 37 goals in 2016-17 and 63 points in 2010-11 and 2016-17.
“When you start playing with such a talented and technical partner, everything becomes easier,” Skinner said of Eichel. adapt. It’s very interesting to watch him every day in training or games. I see what he does and how he does it.”
[See also: Eichel could play against Carolina]
Understands Skinner and Jason Pominville. After playing 578 games for the Sabers, he scored a goal against a former team on October 14, 2013, already a player for the Minnesota Wild. In the summer of 2017, a reverse exchange took place, and on November 22, 2017, Pominville scored the puck against the Minnesota.
“Take this moment for granted, enjoy it,” says Pominville. “You have to prepare for this game like any other. He will be teased, he will meet many acquaintances. In fact, it all started already on Thursday. It’s interesting. The guys like that kind of thing. You have to get through it, then it gets easier and you can move on. But the first game will always be special.”
Extend
THEY STILL DID IT! KEN ANDERSON AND PETER WINDSOR “BORN” A TEAM!
So, miracles still happen in this life! On Tuesday, February 24, the official presentation of the USF1 project, an American team that is going to compete in Formula 1 since 2010, took place live on SpeedTV. The ideological inspirers of the project are the famous American design engineer Ken Anderson and the British sports journalist Peter Windsor. They are the founders of the team, its main shareholders and leaders: Anderson is declared the head of USF1, Windsor is the sports director.
A bit of pathos
The global financial crisis and problems in the economy do not seem to have changed the Americans at all: they are still bursting with pride in their superpower and with a sense of their own chosenness. Otherwise, where does this confidence that everything American is the best come from when the national auto industry is on the verge of collapse?
“We follow our hearts and our passion – we want to prove that American technology, American drivers and the American spirit can be competitive in Formula 1 and meet the highest level” – this is how Peter Windsor sees the essence of the USF1 project. At the same time, the team aims not just to represent the United States of America in Formula 1, but to WIN!
How? How are they going to achieve this?
Philosophy of minimalism
Ken and Peter claim they will be building the team using a BRAND NEW APPROACH. First of all, it concerns the organization of work and financing.
Firstly, USF1 will be created from scratch, which means it will not copy existing Formula 1 teams with all their shortcomings.
Secondly, USF1 was originally conceived with the expectation of efficient use of a small budget – it will be a compact team with a minimum of staff (no more than 100 people), but all employees are exclusively professionals in their field. (During a press conference, Ken Anderson said: “Highly paid professionals.” Peter Windsor immediately corrected a colleague: “Not very well paid.” Well, otherwise, how to keep within a “small budget”!)
Thirdly, USF1 will be based in the US and not in Europe like all other Formula 1 teams. Here the argument is: “Doing business in the States is much cheaper than in Europe”, in addition, “there is a lot of American technology in Formula 1”, and also “a lot of excellent specialists work in America.” In addition, less than half of the championship races will take place in Europe in the 2010 season, so the USF1 team, from the point of view of logistics science, does not have to locate its headquarters in the Old World at all, Ken and Peter are sure.
Fourthly, USF1 aims to minimize the distance between itself and the fans, for which it is going to open the gates of its base for the fans: everyone will be able to get acquainted with the real life of the team, visit the workshops and laboratories, and even … observe the development and construction of the car ! Moreover, Anderson and Windsor plan to create their own television studio in order to “become a team that is really close to the fans in the States and around the world” – the programs are planned to be shown on the Internet.
This is exactly what the founding fathers of USF1 call “an entirely new approach.” However, both admit that even a couple of years ago, many would have considered the proposed methods of creating a “formula” team simply ridiculous, and that only thanks to the measures taken by the FIA to reduce costs, such a thing became possible. In addition, today there is no need to make a deposit of 48 million dollars to the FIA account – this alone has allowed to radically reduce the cost of the project!
Thank you.
..crisis!
Isn’t it a utopia – to take on the creation of a racing “stable” when the global economy is bursting at the seams? You will receive a completely unexpected answer to your question. Anderson and Windsor vied with each other to convince the television audience of SpeedTV that the crisis actually played a positive role for the project! According to Ken and Peter, the current situation has forced many companies to “tighten their belts” and think about savings – as a result, building a team today turned out to be an order of magnitude cheaper than, say, a year ago!
“If there was an economic boom right now and money was still just falling out of the sky, there would be a line of teams and billionaires in Formula 1,” adds Peter Windsor. “In this situation, guys like us would have nothing to do here.”
Ken Anderson believes that the current economic downturn will allow the team to even save a little on the construction of the car: “Here’s just one example: a year ago there was a shortage of carbon fiber in the world – it was required in large quantities for the production of aircraft.
However, due to the crisis, many orders were cancelled, the market became oversaturated. As a result, carbon fiber is now cheaper than ever!..”
Plans
If we talk about tactics, then the plan is as follows. By autumn (September-October), build the first sample of a racing car and start its dynamometric tests on the stands. There will be no road tests this year, but by early January 2010 the USF1 should be on the track and ready for its debut season. At the disposal of the team will be almost three months – this time is enough, I’m sure Ken Anderson, who at one time worked as a technical director in several teams of Formula 1.
If we talk about strategy, Peter Windsor notes, then for the first season the American “stable” sets itself a rather modest task – to finish in most races. In the second season, USF1 expects to begin the fight for points. Well, then … And then the team does not look yet, but you are already familiar with the ultimate goal – WIN!
The plans of the American team also include the creation of a second base, a European one, but it will become “just a logistics center”: everything that is needed for tests and races will be located here – from this point of view, a place will be selected for it.
“Our European base could be anywhere in Spain, southern France or northern Italy – perhaps anywhere our sponsors’ wives want to travel,” shows Peter Windsor’s sense of humor.
Who will build the car
The main base of USF1 will be located in the city of Charlotte (North Carolina). Where exactly is not yet known exactly: Ken and Peter looked at several suitable places, but have not yet decided on the final one.
The choice of Charlotte (emphasis on the first syllable) was not at all accidental. North Carolina has a $6 billion racing industry! Charlotte is the largest city in the state.
“Here, for 50 miles around, everything is about racing and racing cars,” explains the head of USF1. “It has all the necessary equipment, a lot of talented people, there is Windshear – the best wind tunnel in the world!”
As a matter of fact, not just a pipe, but a real aerodynamic complex that allows you to test full-size (!) Machines. And what is interesting – it was developed .
.. by Ken Anderson himself! Agree, this says a lot.
By the way, Anderson should also head the technical department of USF1. But the designer of the first car, most likely, will be “an outsider” – for example, Mike Gascoigne, who was fired at the end of last year from Force India. However, the latter is still only an assumption of the British press…
Where can I get the motor?
Nowadays, the engine is not a problem. For only 10 million dollars a year, the engine, together with the gearbox, is ready to be delivered to anyone, for example, by Ferrari and Mercedes. The team has not negotiated with anyone yet, but is going to contact all manufacturers involved in Formula 1 with a proposal for cooperation in the near future. All automakers are interested in the huge American market. The exception is Renault, but the French are working in alliance with Nissan, so the deal makes commercial sense for them too. In any case, USF1 will certainly be able to negotiate acceptable terms for itself .
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Financing
According to Peter Windsor, USF1 will collect information and assess the situation until about March-April, after which it will search for specific sponsors. Here, too, the Americans are going to take their own approach, and they seem to have a bargaining chip.
“In our view, even in times of crisis, spectacular events like Formula 1 will not only survive, but thrive,” says USF1’s sports director. in sports advertising. I’m sure Formula 1 will only get stronger…”
Support
What USF1 definitely has by now is support. The plans of Ken Anderson and Peter Windsor received full approval from the FIA and FOM, the team’s application for participation in the 2010 championship was accepted. The project was also favorably received in the New World: during a press conference on SpeedTV, the legendary American racers Dan Gurney and Mario Andretti called the studio – they warmly supported the undertaking.
However, the USF1 project also has plenty of critics.
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USF1 pilots: two dozen applicants
USF1 riders must be 100% American by definition. However, one US passport is not enough, and Peter Windsor understands this: “We want to prove that American riders are able to fight at the highest level. We already have several pilots whose potential is comparable to Sebastien Buemi or Adrian Zutil. The problem is that before there was no training program, no obvious path for Americans in Formula 1. We want to help the careers of American drivers. If you look back at history, Americans either broke stereotypes when they succeeded or suffered because of insufficient support. We want to overcome this barrier – we are going to bring a new Lewis Hamilton into F1, but he will be an American!”
As for specific names, here USF1 is only at the beginning of the journey – negotiations with the pilots are still ahead. “We are evaluating all the candidates, but the decision has not yet been made. It is too early to talk about personalities,” explains the sports director of the team.
Which of the current American pilots could qualify for a place in the team? More often than others they name Marco Andretti, Danica Patrick, AJ Ellmendinger – riders with experience in “American formulas”. On hearing and the name of Kyle Bush, the pilot of the Spint Cup, the top series in NASCAR. They are all within USF1’s field of vision, confirms Peter Windsor. However, there are only two dozen riders in the team’s shortlist. For example, there is Graham Rahole, the son of a three-time CART champion, and the little-known Jonathan Summerton from the American A1 series team, and he is very good, the USF1 sports director is convinced: “Jonathan won a convincing victory in Shanghai. Jonathan raced with Buemi in German F3 – its potential is very great…”
Nevertheless, for the debut in Formula 1, USF1 will probably be forced to invite a “legionnaire” – an experienced pilot who does not have US citizenship.
“This option is quite possible – admits Peter Windsor. – This will help save time and lay the foundation for further growth.
