3 minute read
Rolling Up My Sleeves
“The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.” Phil Jackson
Thank you to all who have reached out to congratulate me on my new position as USCA President. I appreciate your good words, encouragement and support. I have the greatest respect for the team we have in place, with each person on our Management Committee sharing a genuine interest in serving, as well as possessing strong character and integrity that adds value to our organization.
My experience for the last three years has enabled me to learn from three of the best: Damon Bidencope, Michael Albert and Carla Rueck. I thank them for their leadership and commitment to the USCA. Their hard work and diligence have contributed to our strong foundation, which I am privileged to take forward and build upon.
I applaud the efforts of Michael Albert with his fundraising accomplishments for the Lee Olsen fund. Through that fund and our Talent Development program, we have enabled our finest players to receive training, coaching and the funding to compete internationally and bring home several impressive titles. Every sport needs its heroes, the ones who inspire us to give it our best, and ours have made us proud!
We are working to inspire at the Club level, too. Our Education Committee, chaired by Kyle Maloof, is taking action steps to bring learning opportunities to every club that desires to enhance or develop a croquet program.
I am in the process of forming a new committee aimed at advancing women in the game. The first step will be to have USCA Women’s nationally titled events. These will be in addition to our national events that include both men and women.
Noreen and John Rice will chair a new committee to help aid in the process of pursuing and utilizing public venue opportunities for croquet programs. We will develop a page on our website to share this information.
The USCA is an organization made up of volunteers, generous sponsors and a small group of office staff that we rely on heavily. I cannot adequately express the extent of my gratitude for all of you. The bottom line is we need you. You are part of the team. I think everyone who plays this crazy game understands what I mean when I say, “It is the love of the game that binds us together.” It’s downright peculiar how that bond is so strong, yet undeniable.
I am proud and humbled at the same time to be your president. I’m rolling up my sleeves. There is work to do.
