AHA Elite League Discussion
By Mike Hurdle
Thursday, January 08, 2004
Discussions about creating an Elite Handball League in the United States began some years ago. The first meeting that I recall was after the Annual Meeting at the 2000 Nationals in Tampa and was lead by Dennis Berkholtz. There was also a follow up meeting in Atlanta shortly afterwards as well. Over the past three years, discussions seem to have been centered around creating a qualification system for Nationals. I was not privy to those discussions, however, I did provide Jim Thome with some suggestions. This email is a follow-up to those discussions.
I do not want to be too presumptuous, but I think the vast majority of people on this distribution agree that an Elite Handball League is critical to the development of, not only our National Teams, but of our sport in general. There are many logistical challenges in making this idea a reality. However, I firmly believe it can happen.
Attached is a sample of a 6 team elite league that would take place over a 11 month span beginning in July and ending in May (league ends in April with the championship matches occurring in May) which consists of 20 league games and a best of 3 championship series. Each team would play home and away matches versus every other team. On average, each team would be required to travel once every other month.
Again, I would like to emphasize that there are many logistical and organizational challenges. However, I firmly believe that if we can put our philosophical differences aside, we can create something wonderful and that will truly be sustainable.
Who is interested in helping create and participate in this league?
Below is a list of those on this distribution and their associated clubs:
- D.C. => John Ryan; Derek Brown
- NC => Blake Cloninger; Dr. John Silva
- NC Alumni => Marty McKeon; Tim Ammer
- Condors => Darrick Heath; Matt Ryan
- ATH => Chris Cappelman; Doug Moody
- Inter LA => Alex Vaida; Mika Manuala, Karl Laundry
- Jax Knights => Boris Vukota
- Garden City => Tom Fitzgerald; Italo Zanzi; Matt Van Houten
- Knight Air => Kevin Hutchinson; Jim Thome
- Houston => Dede Piankova
- Cal Heat => Leon Gulchin
- Fresno => Darrin Williams
- New York City => Ryszard Kluz; Piotr Kilinkiewicz
- Rock => Annette Bergman; Robert Mayfield
- Sushi Masters => Joe Story
- AHA => Mike Hurdle
- USATH => Mike Cavanaugh; Bob Djokovich
- European League Consultant => Bjoern Brembs
I would appreciate a response from everyone even if it is to decline involvement or support. Thanks for your attention to this matter.
