The President’s Pen: Message From Hal Adonis USAB President

[USAB Grassroots Committee Chair Robert Matney]

The President’s Pen
April 1, 2011
Dear USA Boxing Membership,
The 2011 USA Boxing National Championships will be held June 19-26 in
Colorado Springs, Colo. Registration will be Sunday, June 19 at the
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS). All athletes must
present their current passbook as well as a valid form of U.S.
citizenship. A valid passport or original birth certificate will be
acceptable forms of identification. If U.S. citizenship cannot be
verified, the athlete will be disqualified. It is up to the LBC to
ensure that the athletes have all the necessary credentials in order
for the athlete to participate and we do not want to see any athlete
disqualified because he or she cannot prove citizenship.
Unfortunately because of a previous financial burden placed upon USA
Boxing, we will not be able to help fund the athletes and officials
attending the 2011 USA Boxing National Championships. One of the
goals
and objectives of your new board of directors is to develop and
identify new fundraising opportunities. We are presently
investigating
credible marketing programs. Our athletes are the product that we
have
to market and while this has not been explored enough in the past, we
are positioned to move forward with an aggressive marketing plan for
USA Boxing. For the longest time USA Boxing has almost been an
invisible sport to the public, especially now that it is competing
with other combat sport programs. It is our intention to change the
image of USA Boxing and highlight our athletes, especially our female
athlete program.
The women’s program for the first time in the history of the Olympic
Games, will have three weight classes compete in London. The women’s
Olympic weight classes include 112 lbs., 132 lbs. and 165 lbs. The
female athletes that represent the United States in the 2012 Olympics
will be viewed as icons of our women’s boxing program. Twenty years
from now they will be looked upon as the pioneers of boxing, just as
Billy Jean King represented women’s tennis when she beat male
champion, Bobby Riggs in the 70s.
The USA Boxing National Championships paperwork is now on the USA
Boxing website and can be accessed by clicking HERE. The Nationals
paperwork is also being mailed to all LBC presidents and regional
coordinators.
Additionally, the 2011 USA Boxing National Championships will not be
a
seeded tournament. This will ensure that the draw will occur in a
timely fashion. If you have any questions on the
2011 Nationals please contact tournament director Jeanne DePriest at
(970) 978-5188 or by email at Jhd4box...@msn.com.
The Athlete Calendar
Kymmberli Stowe, our athlete Board of Director has recently worked on
the athlete calendar which profiles athletes and their
accomplishments. Please contact Kymmberli at 215-906-4291 to add any
information that you would like to share with her.
USA Boxing Junior Olympic National Championships…
The 2011 Junior Olympic Nationals are slated July 12-17 in Mobile,
Ala. This event, which features the future U.S. Olympic hopefuls, is
looking to be a great event for families to join their young boxers
this summer.
The paperwork for this event will be distributed during the week of
April 4. USA Boxing will send the paperwork to all LBCs and Regional
Coordinators.
USA Boxing LBC and Club Fundraising Ideas…
I have developed a generic letter that all the LBCs and now all USA
Boxing clubs can use to illustrate to potential sponsors what USA
Boxing is doing to help the athletes. Fundraising for clubs and
individual athletes is now possible through the change to the USA
Boxing Rule 309. For more information on rule 309, please visit the
USA Boxing website rulebook at: http://usaboxing.org/member-services/rulebook.
This letter has been constructed to be used as a template fundraising
letter. I would recommend that each LBC form a marketing committee
whereby they make contact with organizations such as the Chamber of
Commerce, the VFW, the Lions Clubs and any other charitable
organization within the community.
A few of the LBCs have used this letter to raise monies. One approach
has been to make contact with an organization such as the Jr. Chamber
of Commerce and meet with their group members and put on a
demonstration of mitt drills with one of your youngsters (especially
in the younger age groups). This has a good psychological impact as
they can actually see who you are working with and they can identify
where their sponsorship money is going.
The grant program I developed several years ago has been very
successful in raising funds for certain LBCs. In the future we will
be
putting an updated version of the grant writing packet on the USA
Boxing website.
Attached is a copy of the generic letter; all an LBC has to do is to
fill in their name and have the president sign the letter. In the
future we will continue to provide additional fundraising ideas for
your LBC.
2011 Pan American Games – Qualifier #1 Results…
The first of three Pan American Games Qualifiers took place this past
week in Cumana, Venezuela. The U.S. Delegation consisted of 13
athletes, 4 coaches, 1 team manager, 1 physician and 1 AIBA official.
It was a tough week of competition, which started on March 25
and lasted through March 29. Ten of 13 athletes boxed well but could
not overcome their opponent during the preliminary rounds of
competition. Super-heavyweight Danny Kelly; Light-Welterweight Queen
Underwood; and Flyweight Christina Cruz all made it through to the
semi-final rounds but fell short to their opponents. Kelly, Underwood
and Cruz were all awarded bronze medals during the award ceremony on
the final day of the event.
There are two more Pan American Games Qualifiers in which U.S.
athletes have the ability to participate. Athletes will compete in
the
hopes of earning a qualifying spot for the 2011 Pan American Games
that will take place in Guadalajara, Mexico in October. The second
qualifier will be hosted in Ecuador April 30-May 7. The third and
final qualifier will be held June 8-14, with a location to be
announced.
Hilton Worldwide and United Airlines Services for USA Boxing Members…
USA Boxing is happy to announce the availability of discounted
services in partnership with USOC Sponsors Hilton Worldwide and
United
Airlines for all USA Boxing members, family and friends.
Hilton Worldwide is offering a discount of 15% off the Best Available
Rate for all USA Boxing athletes, coaches, friends and family. Show
your support for USA Boxing by taking advantage of this exclusive
offer when planning your future trips. More information can be found
on our website, http://usaboxing.org/programs/hilton-worldwide-hotel-deals.
United Airlines is offering discounts ranging from 5-15% on domestic
or international flights for all USA Boxing members, family and
friends traveling to USA Boxing recognized events, training camps or
meetings. For more information on how to be part of this distinct
program please visit our website, http://usaboxing.org/programs/united-airlines-travel-deals.
If you have any questions regarding these programs please contact
Ashley Gartland at 719-866-2307 or agartl...@usaboxing.org
Sincerely,
Hal Adonis, President