>>[Keyser Soze] IF there is a an SCYSA BOD member out the how is it different from anyone else posting an opinion?<<
SCYSA BOD members are governed by the SYCSA code of ethics for administrators. If I were one of them I'd be very careful about publicly identifying myself and saying anything that could later be used as fodder for an ethics violation. SCYSA parents and players are governed by much less restrictive rules concerning self-expression. For example, BridgeFA can't publicly identify himself and criticize an SCYSA decision on this message board; if so as an active administrator he'd be guilty of a violation of the code of ethics for administrators concerning trying to change SCYSA rules. This isn't theoretical stuff; angry people in clubs complain to hurt other people who actively express opinions. Many administrators in clubs haven't even read the code of ethics and are shocked when the learn the hard way that public expression is limited.
I'm glad that at least one SCYSA board member lurks out there; while I understand not posting given the current SCYSA code of ethics it would be incredibly insular behavior not to read what the more passionate youth soccer advocates in South Carolina are thinking. I actually think that the fact that the many of the SCYSA have "a true dislike" for the message board is not a positive attribute of someone in their position. I'm really glad that thomaspietras is on here; he does a great job in my opinion of representing what I perceive as an SCYSA point of view.
I believe that the SCYSA BOD has been perceived by most clubs as having done a good job representing them -- that's why they continue to be re-elected year after year by the clubs. Now, it's my opinion that they made a massive mistake in this case -- they made a weak youth soccer state even weaker and opened the door very wide to USCS as an alternative for many clubs -- but that doesn't mean the majority of the clubs feel this way. As people have said, there's a perception out there of CESA as an "evil empire" -- I disagree with that perception and have explained in page after page why I disagree, but rhetoric only goes so far. And maybe the SCYSA with this decision will actually turn out to have made the state stronger -- after all, if you believe in a competitive market it's great to have USCS competing with SCYSA/USYSA.
If you feel that the SCYSA BOD should be replaced, then in addition to expressing your opinions on a message board you need to help your club understand it so that they can vote appropriately. But be ready to recommend alternative candidates who are willing to work pretty hard. While I believe the SCYSA made a huge mistake with respect to this decision, I do believe that the volunteers there spend a lot of time and energy on youth soccer.
