USAT ( David Askinas)

[terryl965]

Over the last year I have written Mr. Askinas letters requesting information about certain direction that the USAT is going, not once has he replied back to me with any type of communication. Who here believe Mr Askinas is the right man for the job of running our bod for the Olympic athletes? Who here believes that Mr Askinas has his own personal agenda and never really cared about the athletes in general? Why is it that Mr. Askinas only wants yes men or women to be part of the governing body of the USAT?

I believe the USAT is heading for a tremendous downfall over the next year or so, there numbers are dropping the complaints are getting worst, the referee pool is getting smaller. What can be done to turn around what seems to be heading down a path of destruction?

 

[dortiz]

There certainly seem to be some storms a brewing. But take any organization or company and wait long enough to have it happen there as well. Its the politics of ......

 

[terryl965]

There certainly seem to be some storms a brewing. But take any organization or company and wait long enough to have it happen there as well. Its the politics of ......

But this dose not need to ne the case here, we are suppose to be here for the athletes not our own personal goals. We need a front for the sole purpose of developing the athlete for this country in the Olympics. The Lopezs are not the answer down the road the grassroot players are. Mr Askinas seems to forget this and I hate to see dreams be schatter because of one man greed.

 

[d1jinx]

I have not renewed my membership for this year .... yet. may not. depends on what I have going on.

I Try not to get involved in the politics. I learned along time ago, that no one wants to hear what I have to say. Especially if it doesnt go with their same thoughts.

I was PISSED the first year that USAT came to be, and all my info and history with USTU "dissapeared". Not that I was anyone to begin with, but not even a record of membership prior to 2000. Like I never existed before that. I steered clear those last few years USTU had left and didnt participate when USAT came out. Then when they decided not to honor certified coaches, and made you start ffrom "scratch"... I saw it for what is was.... a money maker for herb, and the boys. I went to one of the first Level 1 seminars that year they started.... boy was I highly dissapointed. $500 down the drain into someone elses pocket for what????
And when I went to get my Ref certs again so I could help out some friends at a tournament... D-3. are you serious. after all the years of center referee-ing, now I dont know anything and someone who's instructor is an IR so they get A-3 from the bump... and their only a 1st DAN with less than a year in. They could care less about prior-USAT certs or certs from anyother Org. Not that I care about Ref-ing "rank" but to go to a seminar and have dumb-*** telling me how to hold my arms and call time, then address me as "only a D-3"... Kiss my ***. Ref your own event. I have been doing this a long time (not as long as some of you

) and for someone to tell me I aint qualified to run center at their event because I only am a D-3 (well D-1 now) can Kiss My ***. Good luck finding enough Ref's. when you have 8 rings set up and only 4 are running, I'll be the one Bitching in your ear about why you dont have enough Ref's..... (NONE OF YOU IMPLIED DIRECTLY of course... I know who I am thinking of)

OK.... Rant over.

I guess now I just look at it as " what do they have to offer to me" cause I cant offer them anything. If their is a tourn or seminar I will want to do.... I will. otherwise I could care less what they do. It's a shame really. So many people are willing to follow, and I understand you can't please everyone.... but if you are the 'NGB".... you need to try!

(P.s.... I understand the importance of annual ref certs due to rule changes and such... not saying that one should not go... In fact... heres a BRILLIANT IDEA! Make it a requirement for a certified or qualified coach to REF at least one event a year. You now have more Refs and those same jack-offs that sit in the chair screaming at the ref's can share the experience!!!!!!!!!)

 

[d1jinx]

The Lopezs are not the answer down the road the grassroot players are. Mr Askinas seems to forget this .

I LUV the Lopez's. I think they are swell. Did you see that AWESOME performance by Stevie in Copenhagen? He's my Idol :shrug:

And that other lil sassy guy Mark.....:shrug:

 

[ATC]

As my instructor always says...Having non Taekwondo guys run things will not work. They are not looking at the sports best interest but the bottom line. So everything is done with making money and not advancing the sport. Even though advancing the sport would make the bottom line better (more money) they don't do things with the sport interest first. They look at the money first and what can make the most money now. You sometimes have to forego the money at first to make more lately. In business we have a say "squeeze a nickel lose a dollar". That is what USAT is doing.

 

[d1jinx]

While I am not 100% certain about this topic specifically.... (meaning USAT)
Sometimes it is a good idea to have a person who would act unbiased in decision making run a large scale org. Example, A company that builds airplanes is usually run by a business type person and not a mechanic. That being said... the CEO aka pres or whatever should not loose site of the purpose of the company. His GOALS are to be inline with the sole purpose of the business or the business will fail.

TKD-ers and martial artists aren't always good business people. Many schools that start and fail prove this. An Org such as the USAT needs to be run professionaly and unbiased in order to succeed. Or risk scandal and corruption as was the past with others. That being said, a GOOD business person remains "UNBIASED" and uses his "experts" to help guide his desisions.

Do I think it was a good idea to hire a Non-TKD-ist to be CEO.... sure, does it appear the one we got is a Good Business person and CEO?...... Popularity and results are the true answer. if the stockholders are unhappy.... "throw the bum out"(Splinter, TMNT 1990).

 

[terryl965]

The problem with Mr. Askinas is simple he is greedy and does not care about the developement of TKD, all he cares about is how much money can he make off a few rather than take less for the masses. I have always been a believer in the spirit of fair play but in reality fair plays means who is greasing who's pockets withen the USAT.

 

[VinsonTKD]

I haven't had much history with USAT lately. I used to be a regular membership for me, but I haven't in over a year now. It's almost like they are trying to turn something that was working decent at one point to some major business. I can almost just see the dollar signs rolling when they do things now, rather than what's going to be their future. Many of these non-USAT organizations are becoming more and more appealing to me. I mean, I love the Lopez's and everything - but without the rest of the schools coming together then they really aren't everything. I just hope something comes out good for them because I know many schools that are switching to other affiliations due to the drama of the USAT. It would be nice if they could somehow instill actual TaeKwonDo traditions - it just seems to be this hierarchy of power that keeps the "lower" people out of decisions. It just seems to be this Americanized business now.

Oh well, I guess we just wait and see. Worst case scenario for them is everyone gets fed up and does something that isn't USAT.

 

[msmitht]

I LUV the Lopez's. I think they are swell. Did you see that AWESOME performance by Stevie in Copenhagen? He's my Idol :shrug:

And that other lil sassy guy Mark.....:shrug:

Did you see his last fight in Mexico? Cook cleaned his clock. Was a good match.

 

[terryl965]

How do you see the USAT handleing things this year with so many schools not renewing there club membership, will they go back to a true fight off and get the grassroot program really going?

 

[d1jinx]

Did you see his last fight in Mexico? Cook cleaned his clock. Was a good match.

Yes. and funny thing was, Had he not knocked him out, lopez would have won. Cook wasnt getting any of his points posted. Goes to show, if you wanna a fair fight..... KNOCK their A$$ out!

 

[d1jinx]

How do you see the USAT handleing things this year with so many schools not renewing there club membership, will they go back to a true fight off and get the grassroot program really going?

While that would be the hope, I honestly see them ignoring the problem and moving on as if their weren't one. Problem is, the ones who are current;ly benefitting from the situation, will continue to support, and continue to win, and be named TKD superstar because the "real" competition didnt show up and make them earn it. We will continue to have the NOT-best fighters represent the U.S. so in the end, we all will loose.

 

[Twin Fist]

Yes. and funny thing was, Had he not knocked him out, lopez would have won. Cook wasnt getting any of his points posted. Goes to show, if you wanna a fair fight..... KNOCK their A$$ out!

I remember the film of that fight and you are correct

 

[terryl965]

Yes. and funny thing was, Had he not knocked him out, lopez would have won. Cook wasnt getting any of his points posted. Goes to show, if you wanna a fair fight..... KNOCK their A$$ out!

This is sooo true I cannot tell that enough to my students...

 

[terryl965]

While that would be the hope, I honestly see them ignoring the problem and moving on as if their weren't one. Problem is, the ones who are current;ly benefitting from the situation, will continue to support, and continue to win, and be named TKD superstar because the "real" competition didnt show up and make them earn it. We will continue to have the NOT-best fighters represent the U.S. so in the end, we all will loose.

I hope this is not the case and someone can get the point acroos to the power to be, but I am affraid you are right..

 

[Gorilla]

The problems that the USAT has as an organization are well documented. That is why AAU is such a good option!!!! You get a very good organization, strong competition a great environment. The opportunity to be on a National Team and attend Grade A tournaments in Europe at no cost. We do both but the AAU is a much stronger and better organization than the NGB(USAT).

 

[terryl965]

The problems that the USAT has as an organization are well documented. That is why AAU is such a good option!!!! You get a very good organization, strong competition a great environment. The opportunity to be on a National Team and attend Grade A tournaments in Europe at no cost. We do both but the AAU is a much stronger and better organization than the NGB(USAT).

Goriila we are too A.A.U. members as well but for those few that want any chance of the Olympic dream we are stuck with the USAT for now. I love the A.A.U. Master Tubbs is a close friend down here and he is always inviting Zachary to workout with the Junior Team, was you in Virginia this past weekend, heard it was great. I believe anybody and everybody should be a part of the A.A.U.

 

[Gorilla]

Goriila we are too A.A.U. members as well but for those few that want any chance of the Olympic dream we are stuck with the USAT for now. I love the A.A.U. Master Tubbs is a close friend down here and he is always inviting Zachary to workout with the Junior Team, was you in Virginia this past weekend, heard it was great. I believe anybody and everybody should be a part of the A.A.U.

Unfortunately we had a conflict with Soccer that weekend Kym had ODP tournament in Phoenix...it is a college showcase...she is a division 1 level soccer player she could not miss it. She was very disappointed that she could not attend...We attend USAT also for the same reason...

I am going to be in Fort Worth for meetings Jan 31 thru 2/3 staying at the Omni any recommendations for BBQ

 

[terryl965]

Any place in the stockyard has great BBQ, would you like to get together for a beer or something?