Name: Mike Elliott
Age: 47 (USCAA age)
Team: Texas Instruments/Sensata Technologies
Years with team: 24 total
Years as a USCAA participant: 20
Professional Position: Environmental manager
Years with company: 23 with TI, first with Sensata

USCAA Participation:
As a USCAA athlete, Mike has run in almost every event that has a male 400m or 200m leg from open age group up through masters. His competitive performance in all age brackets has inspired his fellow TI athletes, as well as competitors who have become friends over the years.
Mike was the team captain of the Attleboro (Massachusetts) contingent of TI, and now co-captains Sensata's team; his persistence in team recruiting led to TI/Sensata's participation in the New England Regional meet for the past seven years.
Mike's USCAA participation extends far beyond his team and performance at meets, however. He has also served on the USCAA Board since 2000, and recruited a new Board member from TI when his corporate affiliation changed from TI to Sensata - helping the Board gain a fresh perspective and "new blood."

Key Achievements/performances/honors/contributions:
Mike's dedication as an athlete and as a regional team captain for TI has earned him the respect and loyalty of his fellow TI athletes, as well as friends he has made within the USCAA over his decades of competition. From finding new talent to recruit for TI's team, to encouraging Sensata's management to fund a team early in its history as a stand-alone corporation, to serving on the USCAA Board with principled integrity, Mike has demonstrated his commitment to the USCAA over many years.
In the spirit of civic responsibility, Mike has participated in numerous community organizing campaigns since graduating from college in the neighborhoods of southwest Boston where he grew up. This has included: organizing to build a pedestrian foot-bridge over a high speed rail line in the middle of a residential neighborhood; arranging for the performance of a professional stage production by Ellen Kushner, the host of NPR's "Sound & Spirit," on the theme of religious tolerance presented to the interfaith congregations of southwest Boston; and participating in the signature campaign for universal health care legislation in Massachusetts. Applying his professional expertise, Mike has also assisted in the environmental cleanup of "brownfields" sites to promote the re-development of abandoned urban properties as a volunteer at the Dorchester Bay Community Development Corporation.

Highlights of his athletic achievements over the years include:
" 1990 (age 30) - opening 200m of the 3 lap sprint 23.3 seconds; 4x200 prelim anchor 23.4 seconds; sprint relay 400m leg 52.7.
" 1991 (age 31) - 3 lap sprint anchor 400m 51.9 seconds
" 1992 (age 32) - sprint relay anchor 200m 22.5 seconds
" 1993 (age 33) - submasters sprint final 400m 52.4 seconds; sprint relay anchor 200m 23.1
" 1996 (age 36) - submasters sprint final 400m 53.6 seconds; sprint relay anchor 200m 23.5
" 1998 (age 38) - sprint relay anchor 200m 23.8
" 1999 (age 39) - exec relay 400m 54.7; submaster sprint 200m 24.4
" 2000 (age 40) - 4x200 lead leg 24.4; submaster sprint 200m 24.1; sprint relay 200m 23.8
" 2001 (age 41) - (2) final 200m legs - 24.3, 24.1
" 2002 (age 42) - (3) final 200m legs - 24.1, 24.5, 24.9
" 2003 (age 43) - (2) final 200m legs - 24.3, 24.1
" 2004 (age 44) - Masters relay 400m 55.8
" 2006 (age 46) - 4x200 lead leg 25.7

Team Leadership Examples:
On and off the track, Mike is compassionate with all, dedicated to the USCAA, and a passionate believer in corporate fitness and teamwork. Mike was the driving force behind and team captain of the TI/Sensata team from Attleboro, working relentlessly to find new recruits, introduce them to the USCAA, and organize workout sessions and other activities to encourage team participation. Mike has always reached out to potential participants, personally recruiting many of the New England members of the TI and Sensata teams. As a mentor to fellow athletes and employees, he gives generously of his time to help others at all levels with their training and to encourage their participation in fitness-oriented activities.

Why this candidate has earned the respect of his/her fellow teammates and why he/she represents the USCAA spirit of excellence and lifelong fitness.
Just ask any of his teammates over the past 20 years: they will tell you that beyond his consistently excellent running performances, Mike is a true gentleman whose kindness and thoughtfulness set a high standard for all, and whose graciousness in both victory and defeat exemplify true sportsmanship.