Commissioner of AYSO defended





I am responding to the letter of J. Guidetti dated Dec. 6, regarding AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization) Region 4, Volunteers and our Commissioner Marc Glickman. I don’t know if J. Guideti is male or female so I will respectfully use J. Guidetti in this letter.


I have been a volunteer in AYSO Region 4 for many years, as a coach, a league director and boardmember. We all know what the definition of volunteer is, J. Guidetti. One-third of the AYSO Board consists of individuals who have no children playing in the program. Aside from myself, we have Steve Gewirtz, Westlake Village; Steve Cooper, Oak Park; Jed Kagan, Calabasas; John Tata, Agoura Hills; Leslie Cravitz, Oak Park; Sal Pratts, Agoura Hills, and our guru, Marc Glickman.


We also have 50 youth volunteers. I would like to know how many sports organizations have one-third of their boards structured like this. The best thing about having this structure is that those of us with no children in the program have only one agenda.


We do it for the kids. As a matter of fact, our entire board believes in that.


We have 2,700 kids playing in our program each year. That equates to more than 5,000 parents. You would think that we could pull 100 volunteers to referee one or two games. How can we abide with the motto of AYSO Everyone Plays, when we can’t draw 100 volunteers from more than 5,000 parents?


As for J. Guidetti who, according to the letter, "runs a local high school, and ironically signs permits for AYSO to use fields." The board would like to know: Are you threatening AYSO that for your personal feelings you would punish our kids and not sign the permits? Why would you bring up something like that? (Editor’s note: Guidetti is principal of Calabasas High School).


You called Marc Glickman "Saint Glickman," but it sounds like, without the blessing of "Saint Guidetti" our kids may not have a place to play next season.


You said you’re sorry you donated countless hours over the past two years to an organization run by someone who has forgotten what the "Y" stands for in AYSO. Marc Glickman does not run this organization. He administers the program. The referee volunteer program that some people have been whining about was voted on by the board. Marc has done an excellent job and so have all the commissioners before him. Dealing with 2,700 kids, 5,000 parents, coaches and referees is no easy task.


Do you think the games just happen on Saturday? You can believe one thing: the board of directors knows exactly what the "Y" in AYSO stands for, and it certainly does not stand for you.


The "Y" stands for our youth in this community.


AYSO and all the local sports organizations need the support of the entire community.


This board will do its best to make sure our kids participate in the best sports program in the area. If it means developing a referee volunteer program, we will do it. Rest assured that on registration day April 6, 2002, a program will be in place.


If anyone would like to participate in the development of a referee volunteer program, please contact our referee administrators through www.aysoregion4.org.


Tom Jacobellis, AYSO Region 4 Boardmember, Agoura Hills



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