Tuesdays with Toyota spotlights some of USATF’s most dedicated members. Meet Philip Pressel, an official with the USATF San Diego-Imperial Association from San Diego, California. “I was born in Antwerp, Belgium in 1937 and along with my parents am a Holocaust survivor. My father was a track and field coach for the Maccabi Sports Club in Antwerp and was one of the coaches for the Belgian Olympic team that competed in the 1920 Games. We emigrated to New York in 1946 when my father was hired by the United Nations as a translator. He taught me about track and field, and it has been my favorite sport throughout my life and USATF has helped me to achieve that. I have attended 48 Millrose Games, two Olympic Games, and many other track meets in the U.S. After retirement in 1999 and moving to San Diego, I became a track and field official. I have officiated many meets at high schools, universities, and at the former Olympic Training Center in San Diego where I met and became friends with many U.S. and international track and field Olympians and coaches. Despite the fact that I recently have become a double amputee, I still officiate track and field meets. My career consisted of being a mechanical engineer specializing in the design of optical instruments for a company that was contracted to the CIA to produce spy cameras and telescopes for use on the ground or in space. My main contribution was to be responsible for the design of the stereo cameras for the Hexagon KH-9 satellite, the last film based, best optical, and most complicated space satellite ever produced. I have had many wonderful experiences officiating — primarily field events — and am in the process of writing a book about my favorite athletes, events, and competitions. It is a labor of love for the sport.” — Philip Pressel Tuesdays with Toyota are a courtesy of @teamtoyota! Join us on the second Tuesday of each month for a new Tuesdays with Toyota member spotlight on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or right here on USATF.org.