Olympic Fencing Athletes Left Begging for their Money Again…

Last year, Sports Illustrated wrote an extensive story about the incompetence of the US Fencing Federation and the stepping in by the US Olympic Committee to ensure that the Fencing team received its funding: “USOC to rescue Wayward Fencing Association” by Brian Cazeneuve.

This year, there is a new fencing administration, but the same question is still being asked by its top athletes. 

“Where is our money?”

The USOC funded Athlete stipends that could have begun as early as January 1 if the USFA had finished paperwork and gotten contracts to athletes have still yet to be received.

Deadlines not met?  Hmm, this is starting to seem familiar to me for some reason…

We’ve been pretty patient for 2-months…we were told that contracts would come last week by the USFA but then they failed to materialize with no word about why they weren’t sent.  Sending weekly emails about money on behalf of myself and my teammates  is an activity I hoped would have been a thing of the past.(I guess not)

US Olympic Fencing team with Kobe Bryant before Opening Ceremonies. I wonder if he has these kind of problems? Doubtful

When the stipends do come, we will be paid for the prior months, but in the meantime many of us are running up debts.   To top it off, these expenses include paying  for our hotels on several fencing trips that were suppossed to be covered except that things were not handled in a timely or correct manner on this front either.  Sigh.

I sent an email to the Executive Director saying literally: “HELP ME! I HAVE BILLS TO PAY!” 

He responded that the contracts still needed to be finalized and the USOC this and that… 

 Shifting the blame on someone else?  Hmm, this also seems like a story I may have heard before…

I sadly cannot report that there has been any upgrade in athlete support thus far.  It’s very frustrating.  I want to focus on competing and training, but instead I’ve got this other huge worry to still think about…

PS Thank you to everyone whom has supprted us throughout the years! You’ve been amazing and …

PPS If anyone out there wants to support or sponsor a great team of athletes we’d love your support!!!

Just Some Good Holiday Fun…

Rock N Sake

Posted by Jason Rogers

On Friday, we performed a New York rarity: hosted a party for nothing more chance to see all of our friends before the holidays steal them away for the winter. The evening proved to be an interesting scene, and was definitely a nexus of the old and the new.

That is, old friends including athletic trainers Scott Weiss and Marc Bruck and Olympic Silver Medalist compatriots James Williams and Erinn Smart intermingled casually with new friends Richie Rich, Adrien Field, Nicole Sawyer and Geraldine Laiz (aka Little Richie).

Guests sipped on Green Tea Sake Martinis (the drink of the night) and admired the hip décor of one of Chelsea’s newest, coolest Japanese restaurants, Rock N Sake, which although seeming like an odd place for a Christmas party did not disappoint when it came to providing the requisite holiday cheer.

Our two favorite Jillians, Tim Morehouse, Eva Snopek and Jason Rogers

Erinn Smart and Tim Morehouse

Nicole Sawyer and Tim Morehouse

Michael Phelps Honored as SI “Sportsman of the Year” as NY Giants Eli Manning, Brandon Jacobs, NY Ranger Legend Mike Richter and Olympic Silver Medalists Tim Morehouse and Jason Rogers Turn out to honor Him

Tuesday night at the Gehry designed IAC building, legends of New York City sports and several hundred guests turned out to honor Michael Phelps as the Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year.

Special guests included New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, (perhaps a long lost brother of Phelps?), running back Brandon Jacobs, NHL Hall of Fame Ranger Mike Richter, Super Mom Deborah Phelps, NY Giants legend Harry Carson, several NHL players and yours truly Olympic Medalists/Good Guys/Fencing Promoters Jason Rogers and Tim Morehouse.

Why the rave reviews? Cabanas, amazing food, synchronized swimmers performing in the pool mid-party (seriously!), women’s soccer team members doing conga lines with their gold medals, every athlete in attendance(post competition of course!) and the list goes on and on…

Sadly, in Beijing there were no SI parties (although any rumor of one spread like wildfire), but luckily they had this one in NYC!  And true to form, the party did not disappoint. The AIC space was decked out with the SI logo (pillows on the couches to the logo on the napkins), the music was rocking and a cool electronic wall sported various sponsors logos and Olympic highlights. And as would be expected, copious amounts of the Michael Phelps SI issue were strategically placed throughout the space.

Super Bowl Ring Meets Olympic Medal

Brandon Jacobs proudly showed off  his super bowl ring (so big  that it would be a bracelet for most people), Eli Manning was extremely gracious, staying long after most athletes had left to talk to fans, take pictures and sign autographs. Mike Richter chatted about the good old days of the Rangers, and super mom Deborah Phelps was even in attendance and she mixed and mingled with all the athletes like a true pro while keeping a motherly eye on her son .

Where will we be next?

You can catch up with us from 6:30pm-9pm on Friday at our Holiday Cocktail Party at Rock N Sake (139 W. 25^th).

Long lost brothers???

Olympic Medalists Jason Rogers and Tim Morehouse Join Scott, Naeem and Lydia Hearst at Aspen for the Trinity Place Shelter Fundraiser

Tim Morehouse, Scott Buccheit and Lydia Hearst

Post by Jason Rogers

Given that there was no snow on the ground in New York City, we thought we should pay a a quick visit to Aspen for the night…Aspen Lounge that is. As guests of friends Scott Buccheit and Naeem Delbridge (the famed Scott and Naeem of Guestofaguest.com), we hung out fireside in the Chelsea area lounge and bought raffle tickets to support the Trinity Place Shelter.

I am sad to report that neither I nor Tim had the good fortune of winning any prizes, which ranged from round trip airfair on Jet Blue to a full treatment at appropriately titled men’s spa, Why Not. However, the ironry of the latter prize’s being won by the always lovely Lydia Hearst was entertainment enough to soothe our disappointment.

Tim Morehouse, Allie Rizzo and Jason Rogers

Jason Rogers, Tim Morehouse and Friends

Olympic Medalists Cullen Jones, Tim Morehouse, James Williams and Emily Cross honored at Jets Game; Donnie Klang sings the National Anthem

It was pouring and cold, but nothing could damper the amazing experience of being honored on the field before the New York Jets played the Denver Broncos at the Meadowlands.

Along with fellow Olympians from Beijing and previous games from the tri-state area we had our names announced before the coin toss and then got to stay for the game.(which unfortunately the Jets lost!)

Donnie klang, from Making the Band 4, Olympic Silver Medalist Tim Morehouse and Olympic Gold Medalist Swimmer Cullen Jones

Donnie Klang from making the Band 4 sung the national anthem and then we got to spend some quality time with Olympic Gold Medalist Cullen Jones and his mother, both amazingly nice people, in a luxury box with some of our friends from the NFL.

Olympic Medalists in Fencing Tim Morehouse, James Williams and Emily Cross on the 20-yard line at the NY Jets Game

Paul Rudd, from the recently released hit movie Role Models, was also in attendance, but we unfortunately missed getting a chance to meet him and to tell him how much we all had died laughing from the movie we had just seen the night before! Thanks to the Jets, NFL and our new friends from the game!

Tri-State Olympians on the field at Jets Game

Rogers, Morehouse and Williams Team Up with Fashion Blog “Contributing Editor” to Bring the Sexy Back to Fencing!

VIEW ENTIRE STORY

Posted by CONTRIBUTING EDITOR on 11/23/2008

Labels: JEFFREY GRAETSCH, OLYMPIC FENCING, USA  

http://contributingeditor.blogspot.com/2008/11/on-fence.html

Morehouse and Rogers Sell for $20,000 at the Boys Town Gala!

 

Boystown children Maureen and Ricardo (wearing the Silver Medals) along with the generous donors and supporters of Boys Town Kathy Guarino and Dave Schaefer

As part of therfundraising efforts for the charity Boys Town, Jason and I offered a package where we would teach kids to fence as one of five items for people to bid on in a live auction at their annual gala. Our item had the lowest starting bid on paper at $500 dollars and we were a bit worried about how we would sell up against the other things. (Swimming in the pool with Michael Phelps was one of them!)

 

 

For the auction, they brought us up on stage and I felt so nervous staring out at the crowd as the bidding began.   Someone yelled out “$1000” and then I breathed a sigh of relief that we were at least going to sell! Then something I didn’t expect happened, the price kept rising!  People shouted out, “$2500″ then “$5000″ up and up it went!

 

The final bid went to Kathy Guarino for $10,000 dollars!  Even more amazing is that her enthusiasm inspired another gala goer, Dave Schaefer, to match her gift!  Our package ended up bringing in $20,000 dollars! (Michael Phelps brought in only $10,000!  We doubled Phelps!) 

MC and WNBC Sports Anchor and NYC Legend Len Berman

We couldn’t have been happier to help out such an amazing organization and Mrs. Guarino and Mr. Schaefer have our full respect for putting up so much money despite the economy. So many children are going to be helped as a result of their donations.    

 

The organization, founded by Father Flanagan in 1917 to help some of our country’s most disadvantaged children.  More than 90 years later the organization helps more than 50,000 abused, abandoned and neglected boys and girls a year.  Two of the children, Maureen and Ricardo, took the stage and shared their inspirational stories.  Both faced struggles including serving time in jail, being abused and dropping out of school.  With the help of Boys Town, they are now back on track and also becoming role models for their fellow children in the Boys Town family.

 

I always try to think about myself facing those circumstances and wonder if I would have made it out or been able to achieve what I have without the support I had in my life?   It’s one of those thoughts that puts life in perspective because I don’t know if I would have won an Olympic medal or had as much success as I’ve had facing the odds that they faced.  By the time they were done speaking, I was in tears.  Needless to say, the kids were truly the heroes of the night! 

Also in attendance were singers Chrisette Michele, Dawn Richard and Karina Pasian.

Morehouse and Rogers Teach 700+ Children about the Olympics and Fencing

 

The Enthusiastic Children at Assumption School!

During school presentations over the past two days we addressed over 700 children.  Overall, we have spoken to over 3000 students at 10+ schools and programs since we’ve been back from Beijing  The schedule has been particularly packed the last week with school visits, events and now training for the upcoming season as well.   There are so many things I want to accomplish on multiple fronts and its making for some long days!

 

On Tuesday, I woke up early and had a hard work out before driving up to Danbury, Connecticut where I spoke to students at the Wooster school.  I then hoped back in my car and drove to Manhattan to join a USOC fundraising event and then met up with Jason afterwards at an event at the Time Warner building to debrief. 

 

Wednesday also began very early, this time with a drive to Peekskill, NY with Jason where the two of us gave 5 presentations at multiple schools, the town Library and then at the Peekskill Fencing Center.  With littie time ot spare, we sped back to the city to participate in an event with the Queen of Sweden before ending the night up at my friend’s birthday party at the HK Lounge.(You can read more about the events from Jason!)   

 

Jason talks to students about reaching their goals

Despite being tired from all the running around, speaking to children definitely keeps me grounded and motivated to continue to forge ahead to promote our sport.  Whenever we speak at a school, it’s really amazing and such a high to see the excitement in the student’s, not just for the Olympics, but also for fencing. 

 

As a former teacher, it’s also just a blast to walk into school buildings. (I’m in my element!) 

 

We continue to talk a lot about setting the right big goals and also about discovering your unique strengths and applying to them to help you succeed. I hope we’re making an impact!

 

I want to send an amazing thank you to the students, staff and teachers at Wooster, Peekskill Middle and Assumption School for showing us such great hospitality.  Our day in Peekskill was arranged by local fencing coach Alex Acevado who is just opening a new club facility and doing an amazing job promoting the sport locally! Thanks for everything Alex and best of luck with your club!

Coach Alex Acevado's students pose with us at the new club

 

Twas a Night of Both Merriment and Sadness: A Night at Stone Rose with Johnny Walker Blue Label

 

Despite having a fabulous view of Columbus Circle and Central Park, I must say the Time Warner Building in Manhattan has more to offer than just ambience. While Tim was off at a USOC fundraiser downtown, I had the great pleasure of attending a fabulous event  sponsored by Johnny Walker Blue Label at the Stone Rose Lounge.

The event proved to be the type of affair you would expect from Scotch whisky lovers replete with a full Johnny Walker stocked bar as well as a special station where an expert could walk you through the various steps of tasting the finest Johnny Walker has to offer. Guests even had the opportunity to take home their very own engraved, special edition bottles of Blue Label, which I imagine make great holiday gifts for the family. I mean, what says I love you like a bottle of Scotch!

Unfortunately the night ended with a bit of a downer. I managed to spill a beverage on my Blackberry, which I am sad to report is no longer with us. It lived a good life, and I guess the only consolation is that it was fortunate enough to sample some of the finest Scotch in the land before traveling on to Blackberry heaven…

Posted by Jason Rogers