Alexander Massialas Holds All Three First Places

[heretic]

There is a large difference in meaningful, civil and open discussion regarding systematic and cultural issues that need to be addressed, and bickering that leads to name-calling, finger-pointing and accusations - that level of dialogue gets no where. I am all for analysis - both the successes and the failures of the organization so it can improve. I am not willing to continually flog people for the decisions that were made - that does not change the decision, its outcomes or move the organization forward. Ultimately, I believe, that you and I are going to have to agree to disagree on how to engage people in a dialogue - our styles are very different.

While you might not be wrong, an whole sale exorcism just isn't going to happen - it is going to a process of change that either people are going to embrace or they will leave. Again, it is going to require a commitment on the part of the Board leadership to embrace non-profit best practices. It can be done - it just takes willingness on the part of leadership and time.

Of course there will be no exorcism, or Stalinist purges or even an aggressive house-cleaning. I would settle for a South African style Truth and Reconciliation Commission. However, your crusader-like contention that "it is going to be a process of change that either people are going to embrace or they will leave" is naïve. Entrenched apparatchiks never go gentle in to that dark night. It takes determined leadership to empower the agents of change and eliminate the atavists. I’ll believe it when I see it.

[Spratico]

Forgive me for being overly simplistic, but I read this whole thread and it sounds really complicated but,- are there too many fencers for there not to be a professional league? I know I'm dreaming, but wouldn't that give you another venue to stretch the talent pool? Now I'm dreaming of a gazillionaire to foot the bill...

[erooMynohtnA]

Alisher Usmanov (gazillionaire head of the FIE) had some spoken about fencing prize fights or paid exhibitions or whatever, and he's certainly not averse to throwing money around. So, yes, that dream is being dreamed.

I do not think it's going to make its way to reality.

[theLuz]

why can't we just say, "good job". This is quit and accomplishment. Has it ever been done before? I've never heard of it being done.

Good grief, guys. This thread was started as a compliment.

[Patchwick]

Congrats Alex!

[notalent]

b. Someone mentioned young man's saber - Pozdniakov had a string of championships into early 30's, Covaliu just got an Olympic medal in his 30's, Zhong is 25, Lopez 28, no one on the French team that won Olympics is younger than 26; the "great white hope" of saber - Dumitresku is 25
out of currently top 20 rated sabreurs in the world 19 are 24 or older, i.e. well past the college age.
So I just do not buy this argument.

As someone who still fences in Jr events you see these ages and see adults who are older. As a vet fencer I see them as young men. In my early 20s you were considered wet behind the ears as a fencer until you were 30. I was in my late 20s when they changed the crossover rule in sabre I went from being considered young to being old in 2 seasons. It is a matter of POV.

[fencerwallet]

Has it ever been done before? I've never heard of it being done.

2006-2007 Harry Mahaffey was, for most of the year #1 in both JMS and CMS, and top 8-12 in Senior points. Saber, being the most impressive part of that... He was also part of the LAIFC team that won Nationals that year, beating those NYC guys.

[AndrewH]

2006-2007 Harry Mahaffey was, for most of the year #1 in both JMS and CMS, and top 8-12 in Senior points. Saber, being the most impressive part of that... He was also part of the LAIFC team that won Nationals that year, beating those NYC guys.

Whatever happened to him?

[teacup]

He quit fencing after high school.

[heretic]

Like I said, sometimes too much too soon can be a bad thing.

[AndrewH]

He quit fencing after high school.

That's a shame, he had talent.

[theLuz]

2006-2007 Harry Mahaffey was, for most of the year #1 in both JMS and CMS, and top 8-12 in Senior points. Saber, being the most impressive part of that... He was also part of the LAIFC team that won Nationals that year, beating those NYC guys.

so far, that's a no.