New Central Square Column

[RichardGraham]

Hi Folks,

There's a new -- and sure to be controversial -- Central Square column now on site:

SPEAKING OUT
A veteran inline hockey player takes aim at some things he is not happy with in our sport.

by CJ Yoder

**

To read the article, please click on Blogs on the Home Page and then highlight "Central Square."

[ianmackie]

Wow. This will spark some conversations...

[Mtour71]

Interesting CJ!

Thanks for filling us in on what happens. Walking in the rain? Can I ask how AAU got the rights to the FIRS World Championships anyway?

[quick_dry]

I'm sure that things can be done better, and maybe have been done better. But as I've said in other threads - so you have to pay your way, I'm very sympathetic as I transfer the 5k+ it costs me and each of my teamates to go to Worlds :-p

You don't want to pay, that is your choice. CJ won't be at Worlds, he is free to do whatever he wants - but ultimately a boycott like that is as meaningless as the boycotts of Olympic games, nobody cares afterwards except for the people who miss out on competing.

It is hardly outside the norma for eleite level teams to be chosen by a board of selectors and the coach is just given the team, as a coach i'm quite happy like that - when I have to do the selections I agaonise over everything to be sure that I haven't let some bias against a player stop them getting the spot they actually deserve.

Don't most other national teams play a tournament/match, and then the team is re-evaluated for the next series and things get shuffled around? I can't think of any sports that the USA competes in outside of its own borders like say, cricket, rugby union, etc. But whenever the Aussie/Indian/English/South African/etc cricket teams go to play another country, they take one squad - and then in a months time when they play someone else, the team has been shuffled a bit with players promoted and demoted. Isn't that similar to the situation with the World Champs + World Games?

Is it fair to wonder if there is any bias given the PIHA v AIHL / AAU situation this year?

[Mtour71]

Dry-
I respect everything you have to say on this message board and to be honest I respect everyones opinion! I have one problem though..This is not Australia!
Roller Hockey is a lot more popular in the United States. The United States has won countless World Championships at FIRS and IIHF. I personally think that the players should be treated like professionals. No reason why they shouldnt?

With that said...It is a real shame on what really goes on here! This isnt a recreational Monday night game here. This is Team USA. These players are representing the United States of America and are treated like a poor run down country.

[Mtour71]

How doesnt a coach not have say in HIS team? I find that very mind blowing.

[ACCCT2]

Dry-
I respect everything you have to say on this message board and to be honest I respect everyones opinion! I have one problem though..This is not Australia!

Yeah, it's the USA: "United States of AIG-Arrogance"...!?!

Roller Hockey is a lot more popular in the United States. The United States has won countless World Championships at FIRS and IIHF. I personally think that the players should be treated like professionals. No reason why they shouldnt?

How 'bout 'cuz they're NOT "professionals"...???

With that said...It is a real shame on what really goes on here! This isnt a recreational Monday night game here. This is Team USA. These players are representing the United States of America and are treated like a poor run down country.

Hey...you mean after a 2-TRILLION-DOLLAR-HEIST (that's $2,000,000,000,000) by our slimy bankers, brokers and Wall Street "decadent-dolers" we (STILL?) AREN'T "a poor run down country"...?!?

Sorry, Disc-Dudes, but I'm in a rather pissed-off mood finding out that, OH, it's NOT $165,000,000 in bs "talent retention" bonuses that AIG paid out, but $213,000,000 -- YOU or I 'misplace' friggin' .53 cents on OUR taxes and GOSH-DARNIT, WE have some explaining to do...but THEY 'forget' about $53,000,000 (that's a FIFTY-THREE-FRIGGIN-MILLION-DOLLAR 'misplacing', Dudes!) and it's "OH, WELL..." -- WHY AREN'T we all marching on DC with our anger and "BY WHATEVER MEANS NECESSARY"...?!? SHOOT, let's at least have 'em "bailout" OUR SPORT and IHC with OUR tax-money instead of all the arrogant, unaccountable alleged "talent" on Wall Street...!!!

[ianmackie]

Yeah, it's the USA: "United States of AIG-Arrogance"...!?!



How 'bout 'cuz they're NOT "professionals"...???



Hey...you mean after a 2-TRILLION-DOLLAR-HEIST (that's $2,000,000,000,000) by our slimy bankers, brokers and Wall Street "decadent-dolers" we (STILL?) AREN'T "a poor run down country"...?!?

Sorry, Disc-Dudes, but I'm in a rather pissed-off mood finding out that, OH, it's NOT $165,000,000 in bs "talent retention" bonuses that AIG paid out, but $213,000,000 -- YOU or I 'misplace' friggin' .53 cents on OUR taxes and GOSH-DARNIT, WE have some explaining to do...but THEY 'forget' about $53,000,000 (that's a FIFTY-THREE-FRIGGIN-MILLION-DOLLAR 'misplacing', Dudes!) and it's "OH, WELL..." -- WHY AREN'T we all marching on DC with our anger and "BY WHATEVER MEANS NECESSARY"...?!? SHOOT, let's at least have 'em "bailout" OUR SPORT and IHC with OUR tax-money instead of all the arrogant, unaccountable alleged "talent" on Wall Street...!!!

Umm, how about staying on topic? I can lead you to a forum for Current Affairs if you need it. That way you can talk about these "bonuses," but this thread is about roller hockey.

[calihockey]

I agree with Mackie. Keep it with hockey. Lack of professional pay does not make them non-professional in skill level. Jeff Weaver made $7mil the year he was a flop for the Mariners and while Babe Ruth from his rookie year through the 1932 season made just over $785,000. Does that make Weaver a pro and Ruth an amateur?

I agree with CJ's comments though. Too much politicing and not enough looking out for the sport from the self-labeled governing bodies.

[RustyPipes27]

Honestly, who really cares about Team USA roller hockey? I mean no offense to those who play for the team, but do most of you honestly care how they fare? This is just silly. So a guy has to pay for his flight to play a sport he loves? Big deal.

[DCbullets14]

I dont get why everyone is making such a big deal about paying for this opportunity. Most of the players on this team also play for sponsored teams. They dont have the expenses that the majority of players in the sport have. Im sure for these players it seems outrageous to have to pay for a try out when you play various tournaments for free all summer. If this is such an issue skip the tryouts, this will of course be a huge loss for the team but it will give some new kid an opportunity to experience the fun you have had for so many years.

[Mtour71]

Rusty,

Thats the problem! No one cares! It should be an honor to play on this team and get the opportunity to represent your country.

DC,

Exactly some kid an opportunity to play. The US should try to have the best team as possible play and represent our country. These players should be treated the right way. Why stay at the Olympic Training Center? Just to say they are sanctioned by the Olympic Commitee? If they are sanctioned or whatever but the Olympic Committee then the team should be treated like TEAM USA. Might as well just stay in hotels.

I have to totally disagree with the both of you. But obviously everyone has their own opinion and are titled to it!

[Alvare71]

Isn't it interesting the first time he has to pay to play he folds, Doesn't everyone have to pay to play. PIHA and AIHL both take an entry fee and you really get nothing in return for your money........


Yes you pay for your travel, food, car, and pissing off your girlfriend because you love the sport.


All this does is show his true colors and backs out because he is being treated like the rest of us.......


SORRY DUDE!! NO PITY PARTY HERE!!!!


AND CAPTAINS ACT LIKE CAPTAINS!!!!



LEADERSHIP>>>>>>>>NONE


Its not coming out of his pocket anyway the new masters division will pay for it!

[Mtour71]

Isn't it interesting the first time he has to pay to play he folds, Doesn't everyone have to pay to play. PIHA and AIHL both take an entry fee and you really get nothing in return for your money........


Yes you pay for your travel, food, car, and pissing off your girlfriend because you love the sport.


All this does is show his true colors and backs out because he is being treated like the rest of us.......


SORRY DUDE!! NO PITY PARTY HERE!!!!


AND CAPTAINS ACT LIKE CAPTAINS!!!!



LEADERSHIP>>>>>>>>NONE


Its not coming out of his pocket anyway the new masters division will pay for it!

Totally missing the point...Obviously your clueless! Cj has been nothing but a class act throughout his entire hockey career. Cj not a good leader or captain? HAHAH, that is another funny comment.

I do recall that the team had to pay out of their own pockets last year(to get to philly for practice) as well! So get your facts straight. Didn´t he play last year too?

[Alvare71]

Totally missing the point...Obviously your clueless! Cj has been nothing but a class act throughout his entire hockey career. Cj not a good leader or captain? HAHAH, that is another funny comment.

I do recall that the team had to pay out of their own pockets last year(to get to philly for practice) as well! So get your facts straight. Didn´t he play last year too?

I thought this was a hockey forum....Not CJ's Fan club website........Your funny with your Facts.......I think I just stated FACTS!!!!!


Here we go get on the bus! All of you so called supporters are going to go off topic.......



And NO Leaders do not back out, they fix problems and bring people together!!!!


Can you get me an autographed picture.......I am pretty sure you will have to pay for shipping and handling!!!