Addressing Current Issues

This was written to clear up a few things that have been circulating around the flag football community regarding the MCFFU, especially concerning the DC Legends Tournament and the DC Metro Cup among other things. 

Now regarding any decision or move the Union makes, if you have not spoken with myself (Jey Jones), Reggie Tisdell, Brian Alford or Andy Hoffman as to the details and the purpose of our decisions or policies then you are merely speculating.  Anything heard third party or posted on the message board by anyone other than a board member is unofficial information and should be treated as such.  We are open to speak with anyone regarding any concerns provided we have the time (e-mails preferred).

First allow me to address the DC Legends tournament with facts.  Contrary to popular belief we are not going head-to-head with George Coleman, we are not the reason for the so-called low turnout in the Metro Cup and most importantly we are NOT doing anything that George Coleman was not or is not aware of and that we did not discuss with him in detail – several times.  He knows every move we make in the DC area, our purpose and the reason.  Now you can quote me on this, “The Union does not make a single move in the DC/MD area without the consent of George Coleman, period.”

Had there been a problem with the Legends vs. the DC Cup with Mr. Coleman, we doubt very seriously that he or his team would have participated in our Ocean City event, (which was held well after our Legends dates were changed).  Simply put had Mr. Coleman disagreed with the date change we would not have proceeded – we proceeded.

Secondly, we only have 9-man in the Legends.  Last year there were seven teams in the Metro Cup and we should be right around that number with the Legends.  Now as for the other divisions being short, maybe it has something to do with a second tournament being hosted on the same day, by the same organization in Ohio.  We don’t have anything to do with that. 

George and the Union are on the same page.  Our tournament directors are our partners and what they make on their events, is theirs not the Union’s.  Can you say that about any other organization?  So why would George Coleman supporters be upset that he is being offered a better deal?  Something he believes his supporters would benefit from as well? 

Now I will conclude on this note regarding the Legends vs. Metro Cup.  In peoples haste to discredit us for our actions, no one has noticed that someone other than George Coleman has been handling fields and answering all questions regarding the Metro Cup, which means that this is the person actually running the tournament.  Now I ask you again, whose tournament is it really? 

Now this non-sense about the Union not paying our teams is just that - nonsense.  We have paid over 20 teams in full in our first year; one team complains about receiving credit rather than cash for the same value, who by our official rules did not qualify to receive anything and have been receiving credit for bids for much less value over the last few years and now we are cheating teams?     

Forget the fact that the Dallas tournament (besides the weather) was everything we said it would be with East vs. West, no familiar teams in the first 3 rounds, the best fields (fields that took a 3 day pounding from constant rain and held up), a solid ref crew and our entire staff available to each team/player in the rain along side every team from start to finish to address any and all concerns (yes it was miserable, yet enjoyable to watch for us as well).  We gave every team their money’s worth including this team a free bid, which is never mentioned.

The credit was awarded, but we have since been ripped openly by this team and confronted by other teams not knowing the full story to appease them or else, which means I made a mistake by doing this.  It’s been communicated to us that this team will not participate in any more Union events if we do not comply; therefore I have since revoked the credit and we wish them well in their future competitions with an organization that best fits their needs. 

We make mistakes just as every other organization has, but no one can say that we do not listen and that we do not try to resolve all issues immediately.  And just because we do not comply to what you suggest does not mean we do not care or that we do not hear you.  We cannot possibly implement every suggestion or ideas made by our members or communicate every move that we make as an organization. 

The Union will not favor one team over another, we will not be forced to comply with individual team needs that contradict our policies and we will not back down from any challenge because we believe we have the best product and service in business and that no other organization can offer their teams more value for their dollar.  We are not a cash first organization; if that is all you play for and believe the Union to be then we are not the organization for you.  We work to provide quality, both on and off the field for all Union teams and players.  Our biggest competitor is the Union and every year our goal is to better the output of the Union in our previous year/event. 

Now all we hear each day is that we were not strong enough to compete with the “national organizations”, that we were not strong enough to go national, and that we were not strong enough to host events in various areas, we could not host a $10k tournament, that we could not be coast to coast, and that we could not host a competitive World Championship in Dallas – try telling that to the other national organizations. 

So we ask that you please do not jump to any conclusions or prejudge the Union unless you have all the facts.  If something is really concerning you, then send us an e-mail or call one of our members and your question(s) will be addressed as soon as possible.  Our office hours are endless and our office location is at the next event we host.  Our job is to provide you the best for your money as far as fields, competition and customer service.

The Union is currently operating by the guidelines of our strategic plan, which was set forth prior to hosting our first tournament and so far we have accomplished most of what we set out to do.  This year we have a new set up goals and objectives that we will accomplish all in an effort to offer the best possible product/service to our teams.

I believe that there two types of organizations, those that make dust and those that eat it, and before you judge us on our “business tactics” we ask that you look at your organization to see how they made it to where they are and the tactics they used over the years to achieve their current status before you question us, because more than likely you will not like what you see.  But until then, these “young punks’ (as someone referred to us as) will keep making dust.

To some we are the U, but to our competitors we’re simply “Karma”.