SMW Regional Council Member
Candy Cheatham

Non-Voting Member
President Emeritus
Candy Cheatham, Corpus Christi, Texas
ccheatham@stx.rr.com

Elected 2003,2005, 2007; President

I am proof that everyone and anyone can be involved with multi-sport.  There is something magical about our sport, and once you've been involved you don't want to leave it. Participating in sport has had a major impact on my life, and the person I am today.  As a late bloomer, I started running at the age of 40.  I was hooked, and the greatest thrill was qualifying for Boston in 1996.  At age 51 it became apparent that long distance running was out of the picture for me.  I started cross training and began to do Triathlons.  To my surprise I enjoyed the camaraderie with fellow athletes, and a sense of accomplishment, to a greater degree than I had ever known.  Also there was a feeling of family that I enjoyed.   My first triathlon was Combat in 1998.  My days of competing were numbered, and when the 2001 season started my body said no.  After going to many doctors and paying for every kind of conventional and non-conventional treatment I could find, I realized it was over.

I wanted to find some way to continue.   I enjoy the people in our sport.  I had made many friends who are athletes, race directors, officials, volunteers, and coaches.  I wanted to remain involved and help promote the sport I had come to love.  I became a certified official and I have worked my way up to being a CAT 1 Official.  I get to work events all over our region.  If you see me at an event I hope you will come by and say hello.  Remember I enjoy meeting our regional members and it gives me a chance to understand the issues you feel are most important.

I became involved in the governance of the SMW Region when I was appointed to serve on the board.  My first meeting was Nov. 2001.  Since then I have served as Chair of the Championship Committee, Vice-President, and President of the Regional Board.    I serve as liaison to the national board representing the 10 regional presidents of USA Triathlon.  Through the years there have been many changes in our region, but one thing remains the same.  In the SMW Region we are passionate about our sport, and we want to see it continue to grow. 

I am always proud to serve on the SMW Regional Board because I believe it is the best region in the nation. I sincerely want to be a part of improving the services that are provided to our membership and making it even better.   I am here to serve, and I hope you will feel free to contact me with your concerns and suggestions.

Candy Cheatham