Black Diamond: Racer's blog warps the facts, USSA

There was a considerable discussion last week that revolved around a blog written by American ski racer Bryon Friedman, in which he railed about the U.S. Ski Team and how it was not properly funding or handling athletes and how its chief executive was overcompensated. Almost instantly the naysayers hopped on the Friedman bandwagon, castigating USSA and its CEO, Bill Marolt.
    The disheartening thing about Friedman’s comments is that he wrote them at all. While whining might be excused, being deliberately malicious cannot be.
     The unconscionable thing about Friedman’s blog was that virtually all the facts as presented were patently untrue.
THERE WAS A considerable discussion last week that revolved around a blog written by American ski racer Bryon Friedman, in which he railed about the U.S. Ski Team and how it was not properly funding or handling athletes and how its chief executive was overcompensated. Almost instantly the naysayers hopped on the Friedman bandwagon, castigating USSA and its CEO, Bill Marolt.
    The disheartening thing about Friedman’s comments is that he wrote them at all. While whining might be excused, being deliberately malicious cannot be.
    The unconscionable thing about Friedman’s blog was that virtually all the facts as presented were patently untrue. Over the years, alpine athletes in particular have voiced disgruntled statements regarding their dismissal from the squad. Often, these same athletes have voiced dissatisfaction based on a very liberal interpretation of reality. But to deliberately make poisonous fabrications about individuals and the association is both deceitful and unprincipled. Friedman’s blog is full of both.
    First, let’s set the facts straight regarding chief executive Bill Marolt's salary. Marolt does not earn anywhere close to $700,000 as posted in Friedman's blog, nor did he receive a $300,000 bonus. While any successful chief executive has his share of detractors, one should recall that 13 years ago USSA was virtually bankrupt. Today, on a gross basis the association is close to a $50 million annual enterprise, up from $8 million in 1995. Furthermore, the USSA has been profitable each year for the past 13. Based on salary studies Marolt's compensation is in line with similar executive pay scales. Enough said.
    Anytime an athlete is told his or her time is up, it is not easy. But a little digging into the facts reveals that USSA does not nor ever did arbitrarily release athletes on a whim. Each athlete cited in Friedman’s blog failed to meet criteria set out prior to the season, according to USSA Alpine Director Jesse Hunt.
    Let's look at one case, that of Jake Zamansky. Zamansky and his coaches arrived at a goal of one top-30 World Cup finish to remain on the team. One can debate the goal, but the record shows that in 29 World Cup starts from 2002 through 2007 Zamansky did not qualify for a second run. Yes, Zamansky is a quality ski racer. He secured a World Cup starting spot through his NorAm GS record, and according to Hunt the team will make every effort to help him get his starts as deserved. But USSA will not pay for his continuing on in racing. Securing a World Cup start right through the NorAms was not part of Zamansky's criteria to remain a funded alpine athlete.
    Friedman also stated that the “C” team was going partially unfunded, allegedly because Marolt got the money. Neither is close to the truth. Perhaps based on its prior history of having annual deficits, budgeting methodology at USSA requires a prioritization of funding requests.  As forecast revenue projections begin to come to fruition, at each level priorities are funded on the basis of their ranking. Since the "C" team funding request was put in a priority order there was a period when "C" team athletes may well have been told that if revenues did not meet projections they would have to pay for a certain portion of their training. As expected, revenue generation did meet projections and the “C” team athletes are to be funded 100 percent. In fact there is a possibility that there will be sufficient revenues to fund Development Team activity as well.
    Out of Friedman’s noxious comments there are lessons for USSA. The association needs to revisit what it tells athletes and how it follows up with them. The association should be more open about many of its internal workings, budgeting, and handling of athletes. Currently, USSA management is overly protective, apparently fearful that it will come under criticism. They need not be.
    Under Marolt, the organization has a rallying cry of “raising the bar.” With that comes the need for more directness and disciplined professionalism on the part of USSA staff and coaches in dealing with all of their athletes. It is a courtesy the athletes deserve.
    As to Friedman’s comments, they are so far off base as to be reminiscent of the totalitarian lies of the past.