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       #Post#: 399--------------------------------------------------
       Why AAU Changed Their Team Trial Schedule
       By: Ladytkd Date: September 4, 2014, 8:37 am
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       I got some complaints about the AAU changing their team trial
       schedule this year.  I went to the source and here is what they
       had to say.  I am impressed with the increase in participation
       over last year.
       The original schedule was drafted based on last year's
       registrations for team trials.  It was designed to have a later
       than normal finish on Saturday (6 PM) with a much shorter day on
       Sunday (1-2  PM).  This would have allowed everyone, including
       officials, to book an early evening flight home.
       
       That registration number WAS 86 athletes.
       
       This year's registrations, which was only finalized on Monday
       morning, is 141 athletes!   By all measures this should be
       viewed as a very positive thing.  More athletes hoping/wishing
       to make the National Team.  More and better competition.  should
       result in a better team (if possible.  Last year's team did take
       1st Place at the German Open!).
       
       Had we kept the original schedule Saturday competition was going
       to run till 9 PM at the earliest.  We like to think we do these
       PSS matches in 12 minutes.  Most tournaments we attend look
       closer to 15 minutes.
       
       We didn't feel that such an important competition day--choosing
       next year's team members, should conclude with final matches
       after a 12 hour day!  Neither did we think that the official's
       corp should be making their most important calls after 12 hours
       of officiating.  How could this be considered a better option?
       
       The change in schedule affected 12 players.  Had we kept the
       original schedule, this late finish would have affected all of
       the Junior Divisions plus these twelve Cadets.
       
       I was so certain that everyone would be complaining about how
       long these young athletes were being asked to perform at their
       best for an all important spot on the team, that I made the call
       to change the schedule.  It's all on me.
       
       Yes, the pitfalls attached to the original schedule based on
       this huge increase in registrations was 'urgently' brought to my
       attention by those who work on the charting and computing finish
       times, but the decision to change was placed in my hands as
       event director and I take full responsibility for it.  And I
       still think it is the better way to go.
       
       NEXT YEAR, we will schedule Cadets on day one--regardless of the
       number of registered athletes, and Juniors on day two--again
       regardless of the numbers.  We'll see how many complaints arrive
       then because everyone thought they were going to be done by such
       and such a time and booked an early flight out that they could
       not catch.
       #Post#: 400--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Why AAU Changed Their Team Trial Schedule
       By: Gorilla Date: September 8, 2014, 8:36 am
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       I have been a long time supporter of AAU and will continue to be
       but this matter was not handled well. A simple apology to those
       twelve affected athletes would have been sufficient.
       I also would add increasing the amount of referees and rings
       might have been an alternate solution.  They still finished late
       on Saturday. Master Friello like the USAT is in desperate need
       of PR advice!  His "His my way or the highway" type of attitude
       towards even those who have supported him for many years is
       probably something he needs to look at changing!
       Master Friello runs a good program and I would recommend it to
       everyone in TKD but when mistakes are made a simple apology to
       those affected is often a great solution.
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