Comments on: What’s At Stake http://hansstolfus.com/?p=1652 Mon, 06 Sep 2010 06:40:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Ethan Boger (Cincinnati) http://hansstolfus.com/?p=1652&cpage=1#comment-13351 Ethan Boger (Cincinnati) Sat, 02 Jan 2010 02:01:04 +0000 http://hansstolfus.com/?p=1652#comment-13351 Hans, That facility in CV is an outdoor twin courts at the US Olympic training center. Ali Woods is running a USAV juniors sand program in an effort to grow the sport from the ground up. She should be commended for doing so. (My son was invited to a hi-po camp she was running at the CV facility over the holidays.) Also the efforts by USAV to promote the sand game at the college level. So, there is definitely some interest, tho belated and low key, on USAV's part, but definitely not enough at the professional level. Hans,
That facility in CV is an outdoor twin courts at the US Olympic training center. Ali Woods is running a USAV juniors sand program in an effort to grow the sport from the ground up. She should be commended for doing so. (My son was invited to a hi-po camp she was running at the CV facility over the holidays.) Also the efforts by USAV to promote the sand game at the college level. So, there is definitely some interest, tho belated and low key, on USAV’s part, but definitely not enough at the professional level.

]]> By: » Blog Archive » A New Moon http://hansstolfus.com/?p=1652&cpage=1#comment-11960 » Blog Archive » A New Moon Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:49:20 +0000 http://hansstolfus.com/?p=1652#comment-11960 [...] “What’s at Stake” required two-plus weeks of “work” in order to adequately formulate the rhetoric sufficient to justify my opinion on the board room battle about to be waged in Holyoke, Massachusetts. I read 52 pages of USAV bylaws. I read through Ryan Morgan’s proposal, front and back. I read and listened to the voice recording of the detailed notes following my phone conversation with Chairman of the Board, David Schreff. I read through everything I have ever written about the subject in order to remain accountable for my previous opinions regarding both USA Volleyball and the AVP. [...] [...] “What’s at Stake” required two-plus weeks of “work” in order to adequately formulate the rhetoric sufficient to justify my opinion on the board room battle about to be waged in Holyoke, Massachusetts. I read 52 pages of USAV bylaws. I read through Ryan Morgan’s proposal, front and back. I read and listened to the voice recording of the detailed notes following my phone conversation with Chairman of the Board, David Schreff. I read through everything I have ever written about the subject in order to remain accountable for my previous opinions regarding both USA Volleyball and the AVP. [...]

]]> By: Hogan Hilling http://hansstolfus.com/?p=1652&cpage=1#comment-9654 Hogan Hilling Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:23:21 +0000 http://hansstolfus.com/?p=1652#comment-9654 Hans, I came across your blog after Facebook confirmation. Thank you for addressing this issue. It was very well written and I agree with you on all points. I spoke with Doug Beal last year after Grant's experience with the USA Beach Volleyball program. Grant played in the U-19 Division in England. I shared my disappointment with Doug about the staff, operations and selection of players. I was not happy with his response. Now Matt has been invited to participate as a member of the 2010 U-19 USA Training Team December 27 to 30 at the Olympic Training Center in San Diego. And we are dealing with the same issues. Can we meet and talk? I'd like to share with you in more detail my (other parents and players) frustrations with USA Youth Beach Volleyball. USA has not been sending the best players to FIVB Youth Tournaments. Several (good and potential) young players I know are so frustrated with the current system that they have lost interest in pursuing a career in beach volleyball. This is not good for the future of the AVP and USA Olympic Beach Volleyball. Beach Volleyball can not grow unless their is a solid foundation at the youth level. I'd also like to discuss a way that I can support and help you. Volley On, Hogan (949 331 8119) Hans,

I came across your blog after Facebook confirmation. Thank you for addressing this issue. It was very well written and I agree with you on all points.

I spoke with Doug Beal last year after Grant’s experience with the USA Beach Volleyball program. Grant played in the U-19 Division in England. I shared my disappointment with Doug about the staff, operations and selection of players. I was not happy with his response.

Now Matt has been invited to participate as a member of the 2010 U-19 USA Training Team December 27 to 30 at the Olympic Training Center in San Diego. And we are dealing with the same issues.

Can we meet and talk? I’d like to share with you in more detail my (other parents and players) frustrations with USA Youth Beach Volleyball. USA has not been sending the best players to FIVB Youth Tournaments. Several (good and potential) young players I know are so frustrated with the current system that they have lost interest in pursuing a career in beach volleyball. This is not good for the future of the AVP and USA Olympic Beach Volleyball.

Beach Volleyball can not grow unless their is a solid foundation at the youth level.

I’d also like to discuss a way that I can support and help you.

Volley On,

Hogan (949 331 8119)

]]> By: Chad Convis http://hansstolfus.com/?p=1652&cpage=1#comment-8946 Chad Convis Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:02:08 +0000 http://hansstolfus.com/?p=1652#comment-8946 Thanks a million Hans. I've reached out to the three contacts with a slightly modified version of what you posted that supports Ryan Morgan's proposal. On the indoor facility in Chula Vista...might be good for HWN training but the best of the best train outdoors and learn to deal with any conditions mother nature throws at them. It'd be one thing if it were a back up for inclimate conditions as well as a development facility for juniors aspiring to play beach. Thanks again! Thanks a million Hans. I’ve reached out to the three contacts with a slightly modified version of what you posted that supports Ryan Morgan’s proposal.

On the indoor facility in Chula Vista…might be good for HWN training but the best of the best train outdoors and learn to deal with any conditions mother nature throws at them. It’d be one thing if it were a back up for inclimate conditions as well as a development facility for juniors aspiring to play beach.

Thanks again!

]]> By: Jeff http://hansstolfus.com/?p=1652&cpage=1#comment-8815 Jeff Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:59:05 +0000 http://hansstolfus.com/?p=1652#comment-8815 Chris, I've been to that facility in Chula Vista, as I live here in San Diego. I drove down to check it out. Two courts, still under construction, with what appeared to be no structure or schedule for use? Not that I would want to play doubles on some man made courts in Chula Vista anyway, when there is a real beach 15 minutes west. And I don't know the specifics but, what, would the athletes move down there to train? When they all seem to live in the South Bay and have training spots already set up for their practices. Would they receive housing and food, similar to how the indoor team was treated in Colorado Springs? Or coaching? Would the teams be picked for them? Like Phil being forced to play with Rosenthal, and forced to move down there to prepare? I just don't see how, when they're finished, these courts will even help? Chris, I’ve been to that facility in Chula Vista, as I live here in San Diego. I drove down to check it out. Two courts, still under construction, with what appeared to be no structure or schedule for use? Not that I would want to play doubles on some man made courts in Chula Vista anyway, when there is a real beach 15 minutes west. And I don’t know the specifics but, what, would the athletes move down there to train? When they all seem to live in the South Bay and have training spots already set up for their practices. Would they receive housing and food, similar to how the indoor team was treated in Colorado Springs? Or coaching? Would the teams be picked for them? Like Phil being forced to play with Rosenthal, and forced to move down there to prepare? I just don’t see how, when they’re finished, these courts will even help?

]]> By: Chris http://hansstolfus.com/?p=1652&cpage=1#comment-8743 Chris Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:54:21 +0000 http://hansstolfus.com/?p=1652#comment-8743 You may want to update the article because as of recently USA Volleyball has secured a beach training center in Chula Vista, CA for all of its beach athletes. While I agree that beach needs more attention from USAV, demanding its own NGB is problematic on many levels that are not entirely addressed in the article. The AVP does not have a great track record of management and the tour has folded once and been on the brink a few other times. In the eyes of the USOC that is not a good thing. USAV needs beach and beach needs USAV, there just needs to be a happy medium found. You may want to update the article because as of recently USA Volleyball has secured a beach training center in Chula Vista, CA for all of its beach athletes.

While I agree that beach needs more attention from USAV, demanding its own NGB is problematic on many levels that are not entirely addressed in the article. The AVP does not have a great track record of management and the tour has folded once and been on the brink a few other times. In the eyes of the USOC that is not a good thing. USAV needs beach and beach needs USAV, there just needs to be a happy medium found.

]]> By: Hans http://hansstolfus.com/?p=1652&cpage=1#comment-8724 Hans Thu, 22 Oct 2009 05:36:04 +0000 http://hansstolfus.com/?p=1652#comment-8724 Thanks everybody for the compliments. I really feel like this is the most important issue to face our sport in a long time, and we need everyone to come together in order to initiate change at USAV front offices. Cindy and Chad - You're totally right, an email template would be easier. I'm assuming you're both referencing an already written email detailing our support of Ryan Morgan's proposal and then easily copied email addresses that can be pasted? I totally understand that convenience helps generate a stronger point sometimes, especially when asking for assistance on a petition. Here's a convenient quote that would work perfectly: "I'm in favor of the proposal being set forth by Ryan Morgan, because he not only represents Kerri, Todd and Phil, he also represents the opinions of every athlete on the beach. We all stand together and believe reform is necessary in order to improve the beach side of the sport within our current national governing body." Email addresses: newusav@gmail.com; Doug.Beal@usav.org; davidschreffusavolleyball@gmail.com All emails help support movement towards a better USAV, beach or not. And of course, your time and energy is dearly appreciated on the matter. Hans Thanks everybody for the compliments. I really feel like this is the most important issue to face our sport in a long time, and we need everyone to come together in order to initiate change at USAV front offices.

Cindy and Chad – You’re totally right, an email template would be easier. I’m assuming you’re both referencing an already written email detailing our support of Ryan Morgan’s proposal and then easily copied email addresses that can be pasted? I totally understand that convenience helps generate a stronger point sometimes, especially when asking for assistance on a petition.

Here’s a convenient quote that would work perfectly:

“I’m in favor of the proposal being set forth by Ryan Morgan, because he not only represents Kerri, Todd and Phil, he also represents the opinions of every athlete on the beach. We all stand together and believe reform is necessary in order to improve the beach side of the sport within our current national governing body.”

Email addresses: newusav@gmail.com; Doug.Beal@usav.org; davidschreffusavolleyball@gmail.com

All emails help support movement towards a better USAV, beach or not.

And of course, your time and energy is dearly appreciated on the matter.

Hans

]]> By: teresa http://hansstolfus.com/?p=1652&cpage=1#comment-8700 teresa Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:41:48 +0000 http://hansstolfus.com/?p=1652#comment-8700 This is probably one of the best posts you have ever written. Thank you so much for putting this information out there.I agree with John about the building of character but I would say years of practice and training builds enough character. I love the sports of volleyball both indoor and beach. Clearly they are different games and should be treated as equals. The fact that players don't have their own compound and coaches for beach is beyond ridiculous. Beach Volleyball had me totally glued to my tv during the Olympics more than any other sport and its time the players are given the respect they deserve. As for the AVP I think it has taken great steps to improve. Anyhow thanks for the info and hopefully all of us can make a change for the better for this great sport and athletes involved now and in the future. This is probably one of the best posts you have ever written. Thank you so much for putting this information out there.I agree with John about the building of character but I would say years of practice and training builds enough character. I love the sports of volleyball both indoor and beach. Clearly they are different games and should be treated as equals. The fact that players don’t have their own compound and coaches for beach is beyond ridiculous. Beach Volleyball had me totally glued to my tv during the Olympics more than any other sport and its time the players are given the respect they deserve. As for the AVP I think it has taken great steps to improve. Anyhow thanks for the info and hopefully all of us can make a change for the better for this great sport and athletes involved now and in the future.

]]> By: John Michelau http://hansstolfus.com/?p=1652&cpage=1#comment-8663 John Michelau Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:10:43 +0000 http://hansstolfus.com/?p=1652#comment-8663 Good piece, Hans. It's possible that the US Beach teams are so successful because they don't get funding comparable to other nations. The type of people who would self-select into Beach Volleyball anyway are going to be resourceful individuals, and have a deep love for the sport. It's not to say the challenges are fun, but they must be character building. I'd take the trailer-park kid over the trust-fund kid in a fight any day. Good piece, Hans.

It’s possible that the US Beach teams are so successful because they don’t get funding comparable to other nations. The type of people who would self-select into Beach Volleyball anyway are going to be resourceful individuals, and have a deep love for the sport. It’s not to say the challenges are fun, but they must be character building. I’d take the trailer-park kid over the trust-fund kid in a fight any day.

]]> By: Evan http://hansstolfus.com/?p=1652&cpage=1#comment-8645 Evan Tue, 20 Oct 2009 06:26:13 +0000 http://hansstolfus.com/?p=1652#comment-8645 Very informative. I definitely did not realize what was at stake or why this was such a problem until I read this. I've sent them both e-mails. Thanks for another great read! Very informative. I definitely did not realize what was at stake or why this was such a problem until I read this. I’ve sent them both e-mails. Thanks for another great read!

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