Early Life
Photo courtesy of Burt Saidel
Burt Saidel grew up in the 1930’s where there were no organized athletics. Kids who played sports played in their backyards or in the streets with a handful of friends. There were no teams to tryout for or clubs to join. They made do with what they had and simply developed a love for sports all on their own with the space and equipment they had. In high school Saidel had the opportunity to tryout for both the football and track team. His father played high school football in Marinette, Wisconsin and accomplished a lot in the sport. Saidel followed his footsteps and not only accomplished a lot in football but track as well. Speed was the skill in which brought him so much success. He competed in the dashes in track and was a running back in football. Endurance was never his strong suit, but his speed made up for that. Saidel always described himself as, “Fast for dashes, terrible for any distance”.
College Career
Saidel attended Haverford College where he competed in both football and track. His football career started off great when in his first time stepping onto the field he ran for a touchdown and proved to the coach that he could be a star running back. For the years following he was not the starting running back but played a lot of minutes and made a big difference on the field. In track it was the 100-year dash in which he found the most success in. He won the event at the University of Pennsylvania where he ran against some of the most elite runners in the country. As a result of his win, he was invited to run in the Melrose Games at Madison Square Garden in New York City. This was a completely different experience for him, but he managed to qualify for the finals in the 50-yard dash.
Love for The Sport
Photo courtesy of Burt Saidel
At age 90, Saidel’s love for the sport has not faded. He still loves the competitive atmosphere of the sport and loves every moment he gets to compete. Although it has been over 60 years since he has been on an organized team, he still has a competitive attitude and trains regularly on his own. Not only does he continue to train to still compete in events but simply because he enjoys doing it and it keeps him healthy. Although he loves to be competitive and win it is the friendships he has made along the way in which he loves most about the sport. He loves the community aspect of the sport and the fact that competitors can become friends once they cross the finish line. If he had to give any piece of advice to younger athletes, he would tell them, “Love it, Learn it, Do it”. Saidel fell in love with track at a young age and from then on practicing and learning how to get better did not seem like something that he had to force himself to do. It was something he wanted to do simply because he loved doing it and loved the sense of accomplishment it brought him after he crossed the finish line or entered the endzone.
USA Master Games
Photo courtesy of Burt Saidel
Saidel loves every opportunity he gets to get back on a track and compete again. He is excited to be able to compete in this year’s USA Masters Games. He has drawers full of medals but for him the real reward is sharing this experience with his friends and simply having fun. Like any other athlete every time he steps onto that track he hopes to win but even if he does not he will step off of the track with a smile on his face. Saidel said, “When I am in a “get set” position before a race, I am for a moment, young again”. The grit and determination Saidel shows even at age 90 is an inspiration to many athletes all over the country. We all wish him luck as he once again looks to compete and add a USA Master Games medal to his large collection he has won over his many years competing in the sport.