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GOHEAVY.COM Olympic Weightlifting Forum
Dennis Snethen and the ED job, etc.
Posted By: Marty Schnorf (12-227-212-38.client.mchsi.com)
Date: Friday, January 12, 2007, @ 8:31 p.m.
In posts from WEdnesday on the forum between Dennis, Butch and Nick Curry, Nick mentioned that Dennis had applied for the Executive Director job. I was aware of that before. Nick said something to the effect that Dennis "did not remotely qualify for the job description as far as business background and was not remotely qualified as far as dealing with the USOC." (You can look at Nick's post; I think I accurately portrayed it.)
I am not an apologist for Dennis; he needs none. I disagree with him at times and so indicate. Dennis did not ask me to post this; I do so of my own volition. I like Dennis. But, more importantly than that, I rerspect and trust him. At a minimum, we are better with him than without him, even some of his critics might acknowledge.
I cannot access the USAW website's job description for the ED job. I think it has been taken down.So, I cannot say for sure exactly what the job description stated. Here are some points one should consider, in my opinion, as to Dennis' experience with budgets, finance, etc.
First, Dennis has dealt with budgets of at least $50,000 - $100,000+ for his club many years.He takes kids to all national meets, sometimes as many as 30. FOR OUR SCHOOLAGE NATIONALS IN CHARLESTON, DENNIS' MOTEL BILL FOR THE LAST NIGHT ..ONE NIGHT... WAS OVER $1500. HIS TOTAL BILL WAS OVER $5000. THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE TRANSPORTATION, MEALS, ENTRY FEES, ETC. JUST MOTEL, AND OUR ROOMS WERE CHEAPER THAN MANY BY 10%-50%. WEsley usually pays transportation, motel, etc. Airfares can be tough, and add on renting vans once you get there. How about equipment and uniforms? Dennis raises money in many ways. AS I "speak," Dennis is hosting a dance at the Wesley center as he does almost every Friday night. IT is really a dance/rec night, etc., for kids grades 1-6. He told me he had never made less than $1000 at one of these held 30-40 times per year, or more, I think.
Dennis has run the Olympic trials twice and many national meets. Some of them had pretty large budgets. If you take away staff salaries and travel to world championships for USAW, I am guesssing Dennis' club's budget might have been 15% - 25% of USAW's budget some years, maybe more. In years where he hosted the Trials, the budget for the Trials and his club might have been 30%-50% of USAW's budget after travel and salaries and stipends. Dennis, with the invaluable help from his wife Becky, is responsible for this. If someone doesn't get paid, if someone gets hurt, if more money must be raised, it is on Dennis. He is always looking for new ways to raise money.
Dennis is a promoter. HE runs a summer basketball program, which I think he started, called "Summer Jam." There are maybe 150 - 200+ teams of all ages, male and female, playing most nights of the week. It is sort of like Little League, only more ages, girls and boys. They play in leagues and tournamnets on the outdoor courts in St. Joe, whcih were new when I was there a few years ago. So many want to sign up they have to cut it off. The line forms late the night before, and some stand in line hours to be sure they get a spot. I have been there for "Summer Jam" and for the dances.
A former lifter, Dave Slifer, who lifted in the first national meet I ever went to when he lifted for me.... a year before Curt White started... was the women's basketball coach at Missouri Western in St. Joe. They were ranked as high as #3 in the US. Dave has lived and coached in several towns, and his kids have played many sports, as has Dave. He told me this: "Summer Jam is the best sports program of any kind.... in any sport... that I have seen in any town in the United States in my 40 years."
My cxoncern if USAW hired someone with a business background - perhaps an accountant, for example,who knows nothing about USAW and its people, from whom is he/she going to get advice? From those in Colorado, not from the grassroots! Surely one can see that. Grassroots are already ignored by many (see the 12 and under ban), and bringing in an outsider might make it worse.
Peter Roselli is an exceptionally well qualified treasurer. I disagree with Peter on some things, but repect his expertise in his area. He is certainly there to be a resource to any ED hired, and would certainly help.
Dennis spends many, MANY hours on USAW business already. He would not have the same learning curve an outsider would. Many of the things which happen do so after prompts or calls from dennis.
IT is not like USAW is a huge corporation. For many it might only be a stepping-stone. Dennis loves the sport. I CAN TELL YOU THAT THE TRAVEL BUDGET FOR THE PRESIDENT OF USAW WAS $5000 PER YEAR WHEN DENNIS TOOK OFFICE. SINCE HE REFUSED TO USE THE MONEY, IT GOT LOWERED.....AND THEN ELIMINATED FROM THE BUDGET.... BECAUSE DEENIS REFUSED TO USE IT. HE SPENT HIS OWN MONEY TO REPRESENT USAW AT RUDY SABLO'S FUNERAL.
Dennis has dealt with USOC more than almost anyone in USAW history, maybe other than Wes. I have no reason to think that Dennis is not liked and respected by them. I am not sure why Nick called Dennis unqualified there; I disagree based off what I know.
I don't know if Dennis would take the job if offered. He communicates more information to the memebrs, espedcially the grassroots, than the website, magazine, and the most of the BOD combined. So, I would hate to lose him as President. I do know he would spend OUR money like it was his own. In fact, he would spend his own money like it was ours. (Notcie how when Joe Delago, etc., raise money, you always see Dennis' name as a contributor, while others are absent.)
There are pros and cons about getting an outsider from the business field. For the salary we pay, we aren't going to get Bill Gates or Warren Buffet. Keep that in mind.
Dennis is a very, very hard worker. HE puts on a little bit of an aw shucks, I am just a poor hillbilly from the sticks, not real sharp. BUt don't be fooled. Dennis is no dummy, and he is a good judge of people. He will outwork others, and he will communicate. He will raise money, and he will put on meets at the OTC. I also think he will hold people accountable.
Thomas Edison once said that "GENIUS IS 10% INSPIRATION AND 90% PERSPIRATION." by THIS MEASUREMENT, DENNIS IS A GENIUS. He is just now finishing up his dance, which just made his club $1000+.
Thanks for reading this. Others are entitled to their opinions. Nick is a frIend; Bucth is, too. I used to stick up for my brother. I could beat him up, but that didn't mean others could. So, this isn't personal towards Nick or Butch.Everyone has an opinion, and a right to it.
Anyway, thanks for reading this. - Marty
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