by Ted Gross
February 11, 2013
US Squash on Thursday made the difficult but necessary decision to cancel the US High School Championships, a mammoth three-day event involving nearly 1,500 players, in light of the impending weekend storm.
Near the end of the official US Squash statement, however, is a passage which comes across as ham-handed and offensive.
After broaching the topic of possibly rescheduling the tournament later this winter, US Squash notes that if this cannot be achieved, “we will then evaluate the potential for full or partial refunds of entry fees and also communicate a decision with regard to finances to the coaches and school administrations at the earliest possible time.”
You have got to be kidding.
It is shocking that the Association would even consider not refunding all entry fees paid by all the schools, in full. The schools entered their teams and paid the applicable fees into the tournament in good faith, in the hope of enhancing the athletic, cultural and educational experience of their student-athletes.
But then the event got canceled, which happens.
For US Squash there is only one course of action: You open your checkbook, and you give everyone their money back.
Unless specifically written in the application, if US Squash drags their feet in refunds, sounds like they have already spent some of the money. They will have to be transparent in their explanation,
ReplyDeleteMr. Editor
ReplyDeleteYou are "spot on". Even though I do not play much squash any longer, I have continued my membership.
Please keep your readers up to date on this subject. Should US Squash NOT make FULL refunds, I will cancel my membership.
Perhaps others may consider similar action, but it is a private matter.
Thank you for pointing this out. Too bad on the timing of the snow on such a big event. I am not sure why costs would even be discussed in a cancellation notice since the main trust of the cancellation was safety. I hope that the Association responds to your input quickly and clearly.
ReplyDeleteThey should not only consider returning the entry fee but also registration fee for all those student who joined US Squash just to play this event.
ReplyDeleteI think it ridiculous to ask these students to join US squash for $75 just play in a weekend event. Either they should just introduce a weekend special rate or a month rate.
US Squash, please make an effort to make us feel like you care more about us than just looking to make money anytime we do something with you.
I have several comments which US Squash should consider to improve how High School Nationals can be run.
ReplyDeleteFirst, this was a tough call but US Squash made the right decision to cancel the tournament because of the blizzard conditions which blanketed the Hartford area. I know the players were extremely disappointed and playing in the Nationals would have been the highlight of the season for many. Rescheduling the tournament should be a priority. I understand that this weekend was not possible because of a JCT tournament scheduled . There are 32 players each in the boys and girls U15,17, 19 or 192 players. A good number were probably not entered in the High School Nationals. How does this compared to over 1100 players entered in the High School Nationals?
Second,if my memory serves me right, there was a winter storm in Hartford during the US Juniors championships in December which caused many withdrawals. This begs the question why select Hartford when Philadelphia which received only 3 inches of snow not chosen as the venue? I understand that there is no way to predict the weather in Hartford or Philadelphia during February but selecting Hartford again as a possible venue should be viewed as a higher risk of weather related cancellations. BTW, I live in Connecticut not Philadelphia.
Lastly, I agree with above comments that it would be not be fair if the schools do not receive a full refund or at least a credit for next year's entry.
Yet another misuse of "begs the question."
ReplyDelete