open letter to Jim Millman

[lukerunion]

Big,

My hidden reason is that I have heard discussions behind closed doors, and seen Mr. Millman act in a way that I believe he is setting himself up to do good things for us. Are the legacies you discuss before USA B or only from the past year's Olympic debacle. I already know that the 200k nationals tournament is the TIP of the ICEBERG and some things in the works right now are going to make heads explode when people read the press releases. Its not my place to make announcements even if plans were finalized. BTW, I think this means all travel expenses are taken care of through 2010 - something that was an issue a few years past. One more reason the cream can rise to the top now.

I will be the first person to tell you I am young and lack maturity/experience with organizations - but I don't know of any other NGB with a board of governors. I'm not sure how throwing my age around makes me inadequate for being a player in this game of reconstruction. (not necessarily you, but others, because I know what you were saying) I think we're on the right track - and the majority of people are disgruntled having lost their vote, and want there to be no growing pains/learning curve/ etc. I don't think JM owes anyone an apology online here, but I think he accepts responsibility for his part of the shortcoming - what I don't get is how that would justify him removing himself. Now I think we have a CEO with experience who knows exactly what direction to move in.

One other point about the Dan/Jim bifurcation, as I see it. The USOC liked the residency program. Dan had different goals/motives about it. From Jim's view, he wants our organization in the good light of the almighty USOC. In this way, he may have been in the middle. Now, with Dan removed from the situation, he had a way to revise the program to maintain the USOC's favor. I have read little here about the USOC and their involvement/invested interest on the residency program. It was more than just Jim and Dan's hairbrain scheme (from what I gather here on the blog this is how consensus sees it).

Fact: he isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Question: what does he have to do now, improving from the past year to get back on track?

Mel (or Robert), maybe you can ask Robert to post the letter. And why then did you send your infamous no-brain email about me and Krysti for the board if he already addressed it? Why do you assume Jim and I are friends, I think we have a great working relationship to the extent that I've met with him a handful of times.

Hal, I respect you more than anyone here, and I hope you know that. I think you make an assumption in where you feel ignored because your ideas weren't jumped on, or couldn't be implemented as quick as you imagine possible. I don't see any press release saying coaches are unintelligent. You know better than me that timing is everything - and it might not be the right time for reasons you or I both don't know. I too will apologize if down the road I am wrong. I just think that there is a staged process to events and programs. First I think we raise the money, then we do them. It makes sense to me. I've seen the USAB budget the past 3 years and it wasn't pretty until recently.

Dennis and Canada, I don't appreciate Todd's assumptions on me. I'm going assume he is beyond the age where sparring with the person in the photo is going to help them develop as a boxer - and it is his personal glory to keep on trucking that puts him in there. From that very NARROW view, I admit, I am going to state my first impression is he might not have the type of judgment I would want from someone who is going to throw stones at me, although I welcome him to continue, or at least prove me wrong. I don't doubt he may be a very good coach, and has done great things with amateur boxing, such as this benefit bout:

http://www.kobreastcancer.com/card.html

I'll leave it at that for now.

[squarering]

Luke, I appreciate your comments and you know I alone know how hard you work on making the Collegiate program better and the time you put into it. I also believe that your loyalty to "the system is to be commended, loyalty is very rare nowadays, and you might be right that Jim will make the necessary fixes and pull us out of this slump. But even if he does, he will do it from the top, alone and without the input of people that know the most about what goes on down here and what our needs are. Why do we as an organization have to be kept out of the loop until something has been fully decided for us. Then told " here what we did. take it or leave it" Even if what they offer is great,,being no part of it builds no connecting bridge to the organization. Isn't that is what has happened in the past. We are not children that need to be surprised with solutions that are kept secret till they are sprung on us. That only perpetuates the same old system with a different idea for the fix. It's like they say shut up, wait quietly, and let us do our job. When we are done you will be happy. The big change that needs making is exactly what you say, an open forum where ideas are formulated and looked at by many so that at least a majority of people in the know have some say in it, even if the ideas they use are not mine I an good with that. Years ago when I had a concrete construction crew it was an old school rule that you never compliment your men. If you do, they will slow down or ask for more money. most old school blue collar companies followed the same theory. But as time went on I had to change, because the world was changing. Can you imagine never complimenting a young boxer for fear that they might get cocky, lazy, or soft. That was also an old school approach in the day. Many coacher were that hard and some still are. It's a new age luke, one where "team" is the key word in success, and how can there be a team when you are left out of the loop completely. Many agree that the lack of team was our downfall in 08. Now in business and in the gym I use praise when it is deserved, I invite ideas from my assistants, I try to implement them if they make sense and I always express my appreciation for their help. And look what it is producing, Your quote " your gym may be one of the nicest in the country" That's not bragging it just explains how it happened. Last night a TV station held a big fund raiser for the gym, Many government officials were there and the president of the county council made the statement to me " you are doing when the government can't even do". Well I am not doing anything........ We are. I have a tremendous amount of help and could not begin to do anything without them. What I realize is that I really play a small part in that success. The day I believe I have all the answers and try to ram my ideas down peoples throats, I know it will all fall apart.

[lukerunion]

Hal,

I think after our phone call tonight, I got some of what you're saying even a little more. I agree with you and hope we can be a part of the change. I think you're flying high off the radar now and can do some great things now that your gym is near complete.

Luke

[lukerunion]

Roberto,

Today I saw Jim's response to your letter. Because it was a personal note to you, that you allowed to share with the AAC, I won't post, but I ask you to consider posting it. I think it brings part of both sides of the story to the table, and it creates some doubt to the authenticity of your claims - which could bring some good discussion. I don't say they aren't entirely true, just that it seems now, having read the letter, that they may not be the whole truth, but a perception distorted by frustration. I hope you will share, so that an intelligent discourse could ensue with both sides of the story. To others, I would like to note that I believe JM's frank and to the point response is something we see lacking sometimes on this forum, and should expect from a CEO. I do hope you will share.

Luke

[bigpicture]

[quote="lukerunion"]Big,

"My hidden reason is that I have heard discussions behind closed doors, and seen Mr. Millman act in a way that I believe he is setting himself up to do good things for us. Are the legacies you discuss before USA B or only from the past year's Olympic debacle. I already know that the 200k nationals tournament is the TIP of the ICEBERG and some things in the works right now are going to make heads explode when people read the press releases. Its not my place to make announcements even if plans were finalized. BTW, I think this means all travel expenses are taken care of through 2010 - something that was an issue a few years past. One more reason the cream can rise to the top now."

First, I say again. You keep talking about money raising (which there is nothing wrong with) and I am focused on the total failure of the organization to do what they are chartered to do: run an ethical and competitive boxing program. Also, you have no hidden agenda, you keep exposing it, all the while admitting that you should not. Immature. It's OK to have inside information, but, what will you do if it all falls apart? You will look bad and so will the people that entrusted you with inside information. Your foreshadowing of great thinks is creating a potential problem for the people that are trying to make it (whatever it is) work. It also creates expectations that may not be realized in the minds of readers. That compounds to potential for additional prejudice against the current leadership which has enough problems, without help.

"I will be the first person to tell you I am young and lack maturity/experience with organizations - but I don't know of any other NGB with a board of governors. I'm not sure how throwing my age around makes me inadequate for being a player in this game of reconstruction. (not necessarily you, but others, because I know what you were saying) I think we're on the right track - and the majority of people are disgruntled having lost their vote, and want there to be no growing pains/learning curve/ etc. I don't think JM owes anyone an apology online here, but I think he accepts responsibility for his part of the shortcoming - what I don't get is how that would justify him removing himself. Now I think we have a CEO with experience who knows exactly what direction to move in.

Second, "young' is a generalization of an age range. it was not thrown around lightly. It was the reason that I can excuse the limited view you have of how to make organizations work. I believe that you MAY gain experience if you listen and watch and do not keep just acting like your viewpoint or the company line is the only valid view. And some of you points have vailidity. (For example: Money is important, but not the end game you seem to hold it to be.)

The real focus of the sentence you refer to is the immaturity of you viewpoint, which is understandable with the limited experience you see to have at this point in your life. I do not mean this as a put down, but rather as a challenge to take a more demanding line with goals. Businesses are not run in the future, they are run in the now. The future plan REQUIRES the optimization of excellent execution of the problems faced NOW. that is how you get to face the opportunity to have the future plan become realized.

That is exactly how he failed. While looking forward, he failed to keep the house clean and run the NOW part of the business. That is why his dismissal and/or resignation should be a serious topic and a decision that the Board has failed to face. I criticize both the the USAB Board and the USOC for their respective roll in permitting this horrible situation.

I would gladly be silent, IF and only IF they act in a positive and proactive manner to change the course that has been charted for years. Soon, it will be too late. If YOU and the others inside do not commit to enforcing the rules and regulations with perspective and wisdom, the entire program is likely to fail. You can't be both and apologist and a reformer. It won't float.
Big

[lukerunion]

Big,

You have a sound philosophy and I understand what you are saying about my viewpoint, and I still hold firm that it will bring about change. My "insider information" is hard for me not to blurt out - but I respect that things which aren't finalized just can't be announced prematurely. I don't think I would have the viewpoint I have if I wasn't privy to such experiences as being a part of the AAC and BOD Meeting in July, so I understand some of the frustration. I seriously doubt that any foreshadowing on this blog creates problems - it is such a small microcosm of the USAB membership - and there are only a few active people who regularly participate - and perhaps another small percentage who silently visit the site. Are they the shakers and the movers - that is debatable, but lets not. I don't think trying to create discourse - or by showing enthusiasm for what I have learned is creating problems without help. If I change one person's mind for reconsideration, I think it helps the membership, who can be downright ignorant at times, making uneducated assumptions.

From my own personal experiences, and those of others, I see money as the key objective NOW. All the goals and programs that everyone wants to achieve can't just start out of thin air. I think the fund raising must come first, and then the implementation of programs that help us reach the goal of being a competitive boxing organization. Without it, we will go around in circles as it seems we have been, crying poor mouth.

JM was approved by the board until 2010. May God grant you the serenity to accept the things that will not be changed, the courage to change the things you can, and the wisdom to know the difference. JM isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Over the next two years, like him or not, this organization will sink or swim based on what he has learned from the past year's blunder of Olympic preparation. What I've read so far indicates that he sees quite clearly what has happened. When we hired him, we knew he wasn't a boxing person. Its not fair to hold him accountable for the inherited poor decisions of Lamont Jones' tenure as CEO.

I'm not apologizing for the mistakes of the TEAM. I'm just not going to make anyone a scapegoat for problems that are indicative of failures at many levels.

Luke

[Dennis]

There are some positive signs, but one of the huge problems in the past with USAB has been lack of communication. The on-line newsletter is a good start as is the webinar program. Reimplementing the TTT Clinic after a 3 or 4 year hiatus is another example. I would like to see more dissemination of information. If they don't want the grassroots people to have an actual say, then they need to at least have an "open door" policy with communication.

[lukerunion]

Dennis,

Can you think of some specific examples of information that you want disseminated right now? Also, anything that was released the past year or so, that would have helped you to know earlier, and how? What information on an annual basis do you want consistently?

For example, I think its good we have nationals set for 2 years out. Hopefully now we start working on 2011, and can plan 2 years out from here on out. This has been a problem recently in the past.

What other types of info are you looking for?

Luke

[Dennis]

For over 3 years I wanted to know when the TTT clinic would be held. I also wanted to know why it wasn't being held.

I wanted to know how the ranking system worked and how the points were determined. For many tournaments, it was "it will be determined later".

I wanted to know how USAB selected boxers for tournaments and I was told that it was those boxers ranked in the top 4. However, that didn't always hold true.

The list goes on and on, but I can't think of anything else at this time.

[lukerunion]

dennis, email me so i can send you some stuff on the ranking system - which is currently being redone and will be incorporated in Ring Magazine.

about TTT, i think you are not the only one. I think this year is a sign that the concerns were heard and good that it will happen. this is the highest point for the coaching system the way it is currently designed. i believe we could have a better system later down the road that will not require coaches taking off a week of work and flying to CO. I hope i can be a part of the evolution of such a system.

i also noticed the top 4 didn't always hold true. in baltimore, for example, one year a teammate of mine was selected to box against belarus when there was no other opponent for usa... something happened with a two day event in miami the day before and one of the guys not wanting to box mike wilson is the rumor, i dont know the truth. i think it was a case of Dan's discretion and maybe a more formal policy should be written or adhered to if existing.

email me so i can send you the ranking stuff i have. [email protected]

[Dennis]

dennis, email me so i can send you some stuff on the ranking system - which is currently being redone and will be incorporated in Ring Magazine.

about TTT, i think you are not the only one. I think this year is a sign that the concerns were heard and good that it will happen. this is the highest point for the coaching system the way it is currently designed. i believe we could have a better system later down the road that will not require coaches taking off a week of work and flying to CO. I hope i can be a part of the evolution of such a system.

i also noticed the top 4 didn't always hold true. in baltimore, for example, one year a teammate of mine was selected to box against belarus when there was no other opponent for usa... something happened with a two day event in miami the day before and one of the guys not wanting to box mike wilson is the rumor, i dont know the truth. i think it was a case of Dan's discretion and maybe a more formal policy should be written or adhered to if existing.

email me so i can send you the ranking stuff i have. [email protected]

Luke I will send you an e-mail. Dan had a lot of discretion and I think used it improperly. He played favoritism at times. Jordan was never asked by Dan to compete in any international competition even though guys he boxed and defeated were asked. Jordan defeated Bear Richardson and yet Bear boxed in an international tournament and a dual in the fall of 2005. The guy from your area was selected and he was basically a novice HW going into international competition in January 2006. A quick phone call and Jordan who had won the Nat'l JO at 201 in '05 could have gone. Jordan defeated Danny Calhoun and Andres Taylor in the 2007 Midwestern Trials and yet later on in 2007 both were selected for international competition by Dan. Jordan was not asked by Dan. Jordan was selected by the NGG to compete in the World GG and he won the tournament impressively. Jordan was not the only boxer who received this kind of treatment at the hands of Dan.

[Dennis]

Yes, it was definitely not an isolated thing. Playing favorites does not help the sport.