The following is a letter from Penn State's coach, Joe Battista,
in regards to all the rumors about the ACHA that have been around
for the last couple of months.  He asked me to forward it to the list.
Jen Bortz
 
>>To: All ACHA Members on Hockey-L,
>>
>>I have remained silent long enough regarding the ACHA and the increasing
>>misinformation regarding the South Florida issue and the recent ACHA meeting.
>>It's a real shame that what has been a terrific organization for those of us
>>in Club Hockey is now under attack from a small group of agitators.
>>
>>The rumors surrounding financial wrongdoings and the collapse of AGP are
>>totally unfounded.  Anyone who has been involved in helping to build and
>>support the ACHA knows that if it wasn't for the financial support of several
>>schools helping to defray phone, FAX, postage, and travel expenses, the ACHA
>>would be even further in the hole!  How much money do you think exists when
>>Division II teams pay $50.00, that's right only $50.00, a year to belong to
>>the ACHA? We spent a great deal of the Division II income fighting the
>>frivolous lawsuit that South Florida threatened us with.
>>
>>Regarding AGP, my understanding is that the books will be available at the
>>AHCA Coaches Convention this week.  I cannot offer an explanation for the
>>delay,  you'll have to discuss that with the AGP.
>>
>>College Hockey and Youth Hockey are better because both the ACHA and AGP's
>>College Hockey Guide exist.  Both organization's have helped a tremendous
>>number of young people become more informed about educational and athletic
>>opportunities and options.  Every college club team has benefitted from their
>>existence.
>>
>>Was eveything perfect in the ACHA?  No. Show me any volunteer organization
>>that is without its problems.  It's a shame that one man with 26 proxies and
>>his "legal counsel" were able to overturn what would have been a landslide for
>>the other candidates.  Only due to the proxies did the new Board get elected,
>>and it was by a small margin even with the proxies.
>>
>>Although those of us who founded the ACHA and have put countless hours into
>>its growth, mostly at our own expense,  do not agree with the methods used by
>>these individuals, we are ready to accept the verdict and move forward.
>>
>>If, however, the false accusations and the vindictiveness continue on the
>>part of a few individuals, I fear for the future of the ACHA. It would not
>>be in the best interests of the hockey community for
>>this to occur.
>>
>>It is time to put our petty differences aside and act like professionals.
>>No one has any business accusing anyone associated with the ACHA of
>>wrongdoing.  Al Murdoch (Iowa State), Don Spencer (WVU), Marshall Stevenson
>>(Towson),  Jim Gilmore (O.U.), and I have served the ACHA as best we could and
>>it is a shame that, because of a few personality conflicts, the ACHA's
>>reputation has been smeared, perhaps permanently.
>>
>>Tom Keegan had made it known to many people months ago that he was ready to
>>pass the torch and wanted us to find a replacement for him as Executive
>>Director.  It was no surprise, as Mr. Breitner suggests, since we made Tom's
>>intentions known to the entire membership in an April 17th letter.  In that
>>same letter we introduced Jim Wilbur, the new Executive Director, as a
>>candidate for replacing Tom.  We knew it was time to give others their
>>opportunity to serve the ACHA. Now that the torch has been passed,
>>I think they'll find that this job isn't as easy as they think.
>>We will however do our part to help with the transition, as we still
>>believe in the ACHA.
>>
>>The new ACHA Executive Director can be reached at:
>>
>>                    Jim Wilbur
>>                    ACHA
>>                    PO Box 41116
>>                    Plymouth, Minnesota 55441-0116
>>                    612-544-7959
>>
>>I hope that we can put all this behind us and commence to building a better
>>ACHA for the future. If anyone would care to discuss any ACHA issues with
>>me, I
>>can be reached at 814-863-2037 after May 3. I will be attending the American
>>Hockey Coaches Association meetings in Naples FL until then. Oh, by the
>>way, before anyone accuses me of spending ACHA money, this trip is
>>courtesy of Penn State University.
>>
>>In closing I'd like to thank all the Board members for all their time and
>>efforts over the past 2 years. Despite what some of our critics want to
>>believe, we 've helped bring club hockey a long way from the old days. I
>>especially want to thank Don Spencer (WVU) for his expertise in drafting the
>>Bylaws, Policies and Procedures and the Incorporation papers.
>>
>>See ya around the rinks!
>>
>>Yours in hockey, Joe Battista