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≡ USATF REPLIES ≡
Late Wednesday, USA Track & Field provided a statement, following The Sports Examiner story posted Tuesday on turmoil within the USATF Board of Directors.
The statement is presented below as received and in full:
Earlier this week, communications between the USATF National Office and three suspended members of USATF were published on a sports website. The letters were accompanied by interpretations and commentary from the involved parties. While USATF does not believe in discussing personal business matters in the public forum, we do believe in facts and transparency.
At a board meeting on November 24, 2025, USATF’s Board of Directors voted to instruct CEO Max Siegel to suspend the memberships of Mike Conley and Kristie Killough-Ali under Regulation 21, Paragraph T of USATF’s bylaws. This regulation grants specific authority to the CEO to intervene in urgent situations involving USATF members or entities. In this case, the board provided the authorization to “protect USATF’s material commercial interests”.
The actions came after outside counsel representing USATF in a defamation lawsuit brought forth by Jim Estes advised the board that Conley and Killough-Ali are likely to be critical witnesses in the case and their positions may be adverse to USATF’s interest in the litigation. Prior to their suspension, both Conley and Killough-Ali were asked to voluntarily resign from their positions within the organization. However, both declined to do so. Killough-Ali has requested a hearing with the board and it will be held this month.
At the same board meeting, the board voted to suspend the membership of Jeré Summers-Hall, also under Regulation 21, Paragraph T of USATF’s bylaws and falling under the category of “protecting athletes or other members from the risk of harm.” This suspension is the result of serious concerns raised by athletes – including multiple Olympic medalists – regarding Summers-Hall’s treatment of athletes, volunteers and the national office staff. The athlete voice is paramount in the governance matters of USATF. Thus, it is imperative that the athlete representative displays and commands civility and respect. Summers-Hall will also have a hearing with the Board of Directors.
These steps were not taken lightly nor without exhaustive efforts to avoid them. However, following failed attempts to intervene, the board had no choice but to act in the best interest of the organization. These decisions were made in near unanimity by a board of directors that, while diverse in their perspectives, remains laser-focused on the business of running a national governing body and putting athletes first.
The story of these unfortunate matters will be dictated by the due process afforded to all parties involved. As such, USATF will not be issuing further statements or sharing further information while the cases move forward.
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