Update on USA Team Handball Decertification

Matt Van Houten, the Athlete’s Advisory Council Representative, has informed us that it was his understanding that only Matt, Jim Thome, Jan O'Shea and Theresa Eckstrom had submitted written replies to the complaint filed by the USOC. Additionally, he indicated that there is a telephonic hearing scheduled for 2:00 p.m. MST on Tuesday, 24 January, in connection with the decertification process. As of Friday afternoon, the only individuals who had notified the USOC that they were going to participate in the hearing were Matt, Jim Thome, Jan O'Shea, Theresa Eckstrom and Peter Siskind.

Furthermore, Matt indicated that he had stressed to the appropriate individuals at the USOC that USA Team Handball has several urgent issues that need immediate attention: specifically the Men’s PANAM Championships in Brazil (10-16 April), the Women’s National Team program, Club Nationals and College Nationals. The feedback that he has received it that the USOC’s first priority is making sure that the team handball athletes, both national team members and the general athlete population, do not miss out on the upcoming opportunities to compete.

He is hopeful that we will soon learn what the “plan” for Team Handball in 2006 is and that we he would give us an update following the meeting on Tuesday.