Hurdle-o-gram 10-02-2002
By Mike Hurdle
Wednesday, October 02, 2002
Editor's note: This Hurdle-o-gram is a copy of Mike Hurdle's email reply to Dr. James Thome's email with the subject line "Please retract / correct an error", concerning Hurdle-o-gram 09-20-2002. Dr. James Thome is chair of the USATH Organizing and Competition Committee.
Dear Dr. James Thome,
You're kidding right?!? Retract/correct what error? Everything that you have written has not only proved my point, but provided deeper insight into your....no, I won't go there.
My responses below:
> I went out to the Condor website. Impressive site.
I think so also. We agree on something. :o)
> I could not help but notice the following comments attributed
> to ???
Hmm...Hurdle-o-gram....Let me see...I guess that would mean it is attributed to Hurdle, maybe??? I don't think that would have taken much thought to figure out. I have always attached my name with my views. And as far as I know, you have as well. Some in this federation do not do that, and I think that is unfortunate.
> I am unsure why some “condor” would choose to make such
> a statement.
Many issues here, so I will number them so we don't lose count. 1) I am not "some 'condor'" - I am THE Condor. 2) Being a USATH board member, I am sure you are aware that "Condor" is the name of our club and deserves to be capitalized. I have always afforded your club that type of respect and I do not think it is too much to ask from a representative of USATH. Some may think this is petty, but considering that the Condors are arguably the most active club in American history, the "slight" of respect is indicative of the USATH's attitude towards us. Over the past 20 years, the Condors have hosted over 50 tournaments. I am still waiting for Knight Air's first hosted tournament, as well as Garden City's and ATH's. 3) One must be extremely adept at "reading between the lines" to understand the exact insinuation in this comment. It is implying that "Condors" recruit foreign players to compete just at nationals, and the mere fact that a "Condor" has the nerve to question the process of qualifying for nationals, or any tournament, based on local results is hypocrisy. We have been down this road before, but I will elucidate quickly. In 2000, the Condors played in EVERY single nationally advertised tournament except for Falcon Cup and Flanders (grass); In calendar order they are: Condor International, Blue Cup, Atlanta Open, West Point, California State Championships, USATH National Championships, Georgia Games, American Beach National Championships, TarHeel Invitational, Bird League, SEC Christmas Tournament. From Tampa, FL to Fresno, CA to upstate NY, we traveled across the country and competed in more tournaments than most clubs attend in 5 years. The Condors entered TWO or more teams at 8 of those tournaments. I would like to refer to a portion of the same article that you conveniently did not reference (followed in green): I think I am right, and I think many people will gravitate to this organization (American Handball Association) 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. It appears that you are missing the "big picture". A "Condor" makes the previous statement because it is based upon the basic rudimentary ideas that are common to those implemented by other growth sports, such as Soccer, Ultimate, and Aussie Rules Football. It is what is best for the development and growth of our sport. Nothing more, nothing less.
> Knight Air finished 5th in an Elite Div which was set to be 8 (as in
> all years previous)
Here you go again - distorting the facts by implying a long history of tournaments with an "Elite" division when that is not the case. How many previous years were there? Do you mean "as in the previous year"? 1999 had 10 teams compete in division 1 - which was the top division at that time and all previous years before that. 2000 was the inaugural year of the "Elite" division. It had 8 teams, but was only supposed to have 6. Maybe you will recall the debate. Sushi petitioned to be included, so the Condors petitioned to have a second team entered into the "Elite" division. The Condors had to justify the quality of the second team before it was approved; and they proved their worth by finishing third. The initial idea/plan of the "Elite" division called for 6 teams with the bottom 2 falling to Division 1 the following year.
> two teams Cracovia & Sushi dropped out. So had if they
> would have returned in 2002 they would have been
> relegated to Div I – not the 5th & 6th place teams.
According to whom and when was this decided? This is the first I have heard of this. Was it before the 2001 tournament began or after you realized that Knight Air finished in the bottom two of the "Elite" division? But more importantly, the qualifying decision about which division a team should be admitted to is dependent on where they finished at the previous national championship. How is this fair? Wouldn't it be better and more equitable if it were based on a team's current strength?
> Teams asked that I expand the format to account for
> significant changes in team composition from last year
> to 2002. I accommodated the request
Which is my point exactly! Consider this - to crown a National Champion: in 1999 - 10 teams (division 1), 2000 - 8 teams (elite division), 2001 - 6 teams (elite division), and 2002 - 16 teams lumped together. Four consecutive years where the structure of the national championships arbitrarily changed. How can a lack of a consistent structure of the National Championships and qualifying procedures be good for the sport? How is it in the best interest of handball to allow whimsical changes such as these?
> lumped the top 16 teams in format where after the 4 x 4
> round robin – the top two went into Elite and the bottom
> two to Division I – this seemed “fair”.
> So given what actually occurred in 2002 – I do not understand
> the purpose of these comments?
I think you understand all too well, and I think you understand that others understand it as well; that's what worries you so much. Let me ask this, is it not a conflict of interest for someone, who is a member of a specific club, to change the rules of qualifying, eligibility, and structure of an event that directly benefits his associated club while adversely affecting a rival club? Should not the USATH representative that is organizing the National Championships be prohibited from initiating, or being a part of, any changes that affect the division in which his affiliated club participates? Conflict of interest perhaps? You have been on record as stating that when you got control of this (U.S. National Championship) tournament you were going to make changes so this (Condor foreign players) would not happen anymore. You obtained your position of power and implemented your changes, and the quality of handball in this country has decreased dramatically ever since. Using your authority and power as a representative of USATH to promote your clubs agenda above the overall benefit of this sport is abhorrent and despicable. I think you ought to resign!
Again, let me reiterate from the original article: I think I am right, and I think many people will gravitate to this organization (American Handball Association) 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.
> If the other comment “Teams do not have to compete at
> a single tournament during the year or even practice “
Is it a requirement for a club to have practiced or participated in a tournament during the previous year in order to attend and compete at the national championships? Why not? It is in every other competitive sport in this country.
> is a reference to Knight Air ? - let me also correct for
> the record that Knight Air participated in the 2002 Blue
> Cup where they won the Bronze medal in Feb 2002.
And, of course, I didn't say they didn't. But it is curious to note that you did not mention that you practiced at all during the previous year.
(Original email from Dr. James Thome)
The sun never sets on the Condor Empire!
