futbol(soccer): I think I understand your skepticism. I think that the core of this is that you believe that the first announcement, of CESA expanding its Columbia program, is coupled to the second announcement, of the CESA/CRSA partnership. If I read you correctly, you're supposing that the CESA/CRSA partnership was in fact a subterfuge used by CESA as a mechanism for expanding its Columbia program with the primary intent of attracting more elite players (i.e., Heise/CRSA were basically unwitting dupes to the brilliant and Machiavellian schemes of CESA.) And finally, you're supposing that all of this is about elite soccer since that's what's really "important."
Here's what I have direct knowledge of. I know that within CESA the recreation, development, classic, and challenge teams are as important as the premier teams. I know that penetrating underserved markets has received more attention than elite teams. I know that in 2004-2005 that CESA dedicated itself to spending $60,000+ on financial aid for kids that couldn't afford to play -- and that the club was frustrated it couldn't afford more. I know where Hyslop and Tormey spent their MLK day as well as their other work within the Greenville community trying to increase soccer penetration. I know that these folks were willing to sponsor the North-South senior game when seniors very rarely play their next year in youth club soccer. Finally, I know that CRSA was the one Columbia club admired within CESA for its dedication to trying to reach underpriviledged markets.
I guess this is why I give them the benefit of the doubt (that and when I read the CESA/CRSA agreement there were annual grants and no guarantee of any field space or other resources, ever.)
But there's really nothing else I can say to prove this. I realize that "Big Daddy" and others see everything through the lens of the state challenge cup. I'm not going to change your minds on this...and neither is anyone else.
