USA shooting athletes and some board members in a fight with the leadership

[Schaumannk]

Folks, it has tuned nasty.  


You can read about it here.    Not our fight I know, but could be a precursor of our possible coming battle with the NRA.  


http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/11/sports/olympics/legal-dispute-roils-usa-shooting-team-as-rio-olympics-approach.html?_r=0

There is also a go fund me web site to support the athletes in their fight.  

I donated ( in place of rejoining USA shooting which I am due for.). Hope some of you will contribute too.  Lots of cross over between Olympic shooting and bullseye.  

Here is the donation web site

https://www.gofundme.com/a4usascompliance

[jmdavis]

Definitely nasty and indicative of the kind of toxic environment that the athletes are protesting. Will make donation.

[DeweyHales]

The situation sounds pretty shady.

[Fire Escape]

I thought that I could 'hold my tongue' and stay away from this topic, didn't work.
I will start by saying that I do have great respect for the athletes and their efforts.
That said, it sounds as though (from our one sided information) USA Shooting has chosen to emulate their 'superiors' and act like Olympic Officials. Arrogance and self importance has long appeared to be mandatory 'qualities' for those in charge of such events. The concept of fair and equal was lost long, long ago. We are a fairly 'long in tooth' crowd here, who does not recall watching the Olympics and hearing 'well that was a great routine, performance, jump, etc. but it only scored a 7 from the Russian judge?'
Venues chosen based on what city could produce the highest bribes? Full time, paid amateur athletes? What is considered to be an Olympic 'sport' is based almost entirely on what revenue it can produce.
I will shut myself off now by saying that I stopped paying attention to USA Shooting when they decided that they could generate more income (or keep more for themselves) by distancing themselves from the NRA.
Certainly a sad situation for the athletes, they have to choose whether or not to compete in an atmosphere that exemplifies the adage that "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely".

Bruce

[Wobbley]

I think Shooting USA was set up because the busybodies at ISU and maybe the Olympics didn't like the political posturing of the NRA at the time.  Probably still don't.  

The current troubles Shooting USA find themselves are more typical of national governing bodies in other sports and countries.  Seems to be human nature. Sad tho it is.

[jmdavis]

If an organization refuses to follow it's bylaws, sues its athlete board members when they attempt to get redress from the USOC, and attempts to ruin careers via malicious claims, it has reached a point where it is toxic to its purpose and it's members.

[jmdavis]

Link to documents about this issue.


http://www.vc4hss.com/__USAS_Sec10_Complaint/index.htm

[DavidR]

As with most things, follow the money if you want to find the wrongdoing. Sounds like the hierarchy responded in the most dramatic way they could to try and back down the athletes and continue as before. Hopefully a good house cleaning and removal and replacement of all shooting sports officials will be the outcome. just my personal opinion.

[Jack H]

I may be a lot in ignorance of what goes on at USAS even though I joined several years ago.  Bottom line.  Why do the athletes and others have a beef about the three of Lally, Mitchel, and Anderson.  Do they not want them on the board for some reason?

OK.  Went back and re-read and read the newer entries.  What a cluster the whole mess is.

[jmdavis]

You need to read the Grievance for that information. There are specific issues that violate the bylaws of USAS. Check the link that I posted above which includes the Grievance and updates.

[BE Mike]

Looks like the athletes are up against "the good ole boy system". That system thrives in government and industry, as well as, clubs. It'll take some doing to chip away at it.

[Blsi2600]

Follow the MONEY.  Power is money.

[Chris Miceli]

donate some $$

[Fire Escape]

Just got my request to donate money to USA Shooting. It isn't likely to happen (for reasons expressed earlier) but if one does donate are you helping the athletes or funding the administration that appears to be fighting them?

Bruce

[jmdavis]

The gofundme link above as an update concerning the mediation that both parties submitted to. The case against the athletes has been dropped, a committee formed by athletes, USAShooting and the USOC, and good change seems to be on its way.

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