Hurdle-o-gram 09-20-2002
By Mike Hurdle
Friday, September 20, 2002
American Handball Association
American Handball Association (AHA) - still in the beginning stages of development. In general, this will be an association of clubs throughout the country that’s primary focus is the development of recreational handball. We are not focused on competing with USATH and having a "National Team" and challenging for USOC dollars; because by reading USATH analysis, it appears there isn't much funding worth fighting over. It is focused on bringing structure to a chaotic club environment. I know it has been a topic to develop club standards (for a few years now), but our focus won't be on club standards per se, but creating a structured environment in which clubs can compete and which rewards those clubs that become more professional in nature. The current environment rewards inactivity. Teams do not have to compete at a single tournament during the year or even practice, but can show up and win the national title. Also, each year the tournament structure changes to meet the desires of the organizer. All kidding aside, Knight Air finished in the bottom 2 of the Elite division (2001) and should have been dropped to Division 1. So, we complain that teams are drastically different from year to year and change the structure of the tournament to accommodate that? What about having your division rest on the quality of your play during the current season? The Lakers don't get an automatic #1 seed to the current year's playoffs because the won the last one. But that is precisely the rationale we are using. The AHA is going to sanction events, and teams will earn points in those events (like NASCAR). Those points will determine who qualifies to attend the AHA National Championship. Just because you would like to attend, doesn't mean you can.
Why do I feel the need to start the AHA? - well, for starters, the USATH has a very different focus. It is too political and bureaucratic. I have complained enough about USATH, and I don't think it will ever change. But the root is deeper. Banging my head against a wall trying to convince others that my ideas (that seem OBVIOUS) are right is not enjoyable, as much as people think I like it. I just do not have the time or energy to waste doing that. I have always been a proponent of ‘put-up’ or ‘shut-up’. People in USATH organization have wished for me to disappear - so I did. And now I want to play handball, so I decided to start an association that is fundamentally based on the ideas that I have been preaching. If my ideas are worthless - the AHA will fail. If I am right - it will flourish. I think I am right, and I think many people will gravitate to this organization because of its structure. That is one of the main reasons why people flock to the Condors, and that concept is missed by so many people in the USATH organization. They think we are out to "win at all cost" and miss the big picture entirely.
Consider this, the sun never sets on the Condor Handball Organization. At any given moment, somewhere in the world the sun is shining on a member of the Condor Handball Organization. From Australia to the Czech Republic to Brazil, the Condors have amassed an incredible international contingent of members. The Condor Handball Organization is truly a global one. And this was only possible through our dedication and commitment to building relationships around the world. Opportunities are beginning to materialize for the Condors to participate and compete in international events abroad. Soon we will witness the caliber of American handball rising in international play due to the Condors! Someone has to defend the good name of the USA, and reverse the current trend of outright embarrassing and disgraceful performances by the US on the international scene. And it is painfully evident that the National team is ill equipped to play handball, let alone represent the USA at an internationally elite level.
The sun never sets on the Condor Empire!
