USA TODAY reports on USA Team Handball Decertification

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This short article is unique in that Team Handball is in the title. Previous news reports have only mentioned Team Handball after first discussing the USA Volleyball decertification complaint.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/summer/2006-01-09-handball_x.htm

Also, still no word as to whether any Board Member responded to the USOC Complaint.

Associated Press (AP) Reports on USA Team Handball Decertification

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A short Associated Press (AP) story briefly highlights the ongoing decertification process. As it is an AP wire it probably will be making its way into several newspapers.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/OLY_USOC_VOLLEYBALL_COMPLAINT?SITE=WFSB&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Additionally, Mike Hurdle has informed us that he did not send a response to the USOC complaint. We have still not heard as to whether any other Board Member responded or not.

Confidentiality Issues Related to Ongoing Legal Actions

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As of this hour, neither party within USATH has released any information on whether they have filed a response to the USOC complaint by the deadline this past Friday, January 6. Neither has the USOC released any information on whether they have received any response. We have received some notes citing confidentiality, possibly explaining the lack of information.

TeamHandballNews.com understands that confidentiality issues may limit full disclosure at this time, but we hope to be informed soon, as a minimum, on the current status of the process. Any Board Member who wishes to inform the USA membership should feel free to post either an informal update in the chatbox/comments sections or to contact us directly.

LA Times Reports on USA Team Handball Decertification

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[link=http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-oly7jan07,1,4764431.story]The article[/link] is primarily focused on a recent complaint filed by Beach Volleyball players to decertify USA Volleyball. To underscore the issue, the article also highlights that the USOC has several ongoing or recent disputes with other Olympic Sport National Governing Bodies (NGB). Team Handball merits 3 paragraphs. To my knowledge this is the first reporting on the governance issues with Team Handball by the mainstream media.

Team Handball Lawsuit

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No, this lawsuit has nothing to do with the USOC (as far as I know). But, if you ever wondered whether it’s a good idea to have insurance in place prior to playing Team Handball this article might answer that question for you.

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060106/METRO02/601060348/1003/METRO

I find it amusing that the lawyer is quoted as saying “the Team Handball game is a non-contact sport.”

USA Team Handball Constitution Crisis

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 39:22 — 13.5MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS

A lot has happened since I last wrote about this topic:

  • 28 May 2005 Constitutional Crisis (Part 1): Link
  • 19 Jun 2005 Constitutional Crisis (Part 2): Link
  • 06 Nov 2005 Constitutional Crisis (Part 3): Link

The new Bylaws (the Constitution) was passed by the membership by a vote of 211-23 and the Board of Directors voted to remove President Hurdle by a vote of 19-5. Of course, the legality of both of these votes have been called into question. What is not uncertain, however, is that the USOC has stopped providing funding to the USATH and has filed a formal Legal Complaint against USATH.

Also, worth reviewing is a USATH report that was done earlier in July that addresses some of the issues in the complaint.

As part of this new handball website, I’ve conducted interviews with Matt Van Houten, the Athlete’s Advisory Council Board Member and Mike Hurdle, the current or former President. These podcasts are available on the website and I encourage those with a stake in the future of USA Team Handball to take the time to listen to both interviews.

  • Interview with Mike Hurdle, December 2005: Link (Right click to download)
  • Interview with Matt van Houten, December 2005: Link (Right click to download)

After having read the USOC complaint and conducted both interviews, I am personally struck by how what appears to be some small differences of opinion has turned into a grand canyon divide. Maybe, I’m just naïve, but I think this whole crisis could be solved simply by taking the following steps.

  • 1) The Board of Directors should acknowledge and accept the result of the 211-23 vote on the By-Laws. This is a very clear signal from the membership that they approve of the new By-Laws and they want the bickering to end. (Yes, there was a misleading note on the website, but everyone also knows (or should know) that we have a small membership base which is well informed by this and other websites.) The new constitution should be put in place. All claims concerning the legality of the vote should simply be dropped.
  • 2) The President needs to acknowledge that the 19-5 vote by the Board of Directors to remove him from office also sends a very clear message. The Board of Directors were either duly elected or appointed to their position. One of the key roles that a President has is to work with the Board in the governance of the sport. This Board has clearly stated that they have lost confidence in the President.
  • 3) The President also needs to acknowledge the seriousness of the USOC Complaint and the need for USATH to effectively address USOC concerns.
  • 4) As the main point of contention is the leadership of USATH in the interim phase until new elections, the simplest solution is to install an interim leadership that is acceptable to the Board of Directors, President and the USOC. Certainly, Dr Leroy Walker, a former USOC President who has already indicated a willingness to fulfill such a role, would be a strong candidate. I’m sure that there are others which could also be acceptable to everyone.
  • 5) With alternative interim leadership in place, the President should then resign. Everyone can then thank him for his service to the sport. (either sincerely or with sarcasm)

Now without going into detailed analysis of this proposed resolution it should be evident that it would require some give and take from both sides. After having interviewed both Matt and Mike, though, I have the impression that this or something similar is acceptable to both parties. Perhaps, the Hearing Panel, rather than focusing on decertification, can lead us toward a resolution. Regardless, let’s get our USOC funding back and get the lawyers out of the process.