January 17, 2002
USATT News a Canupnet Editorial
Just last month she was going all over telling people that USATT was going to host the ITTF Pro Tour Grand Finals in 2002. This goes beyond ridiculous and approaches insanity. Let me say this for the record: THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN!
USATT has yet to run a proper Pro Tour, how the heck can she not only be foolish enough to believe this fairy tale, but spread it around like a devious virus? Yes, ITTF wants USATT to succeed, they NEED USATT to succeed, but Pittman is living in a dream world to think they will lower their standards to hers. No Pro Tour Pittman has run has met the technical rules for any Pro Tour anywhere else in the world. On top of that we have NO domestic TV coverage or interest. (not to mention lack of sponsors)
Pittman has even talked about hosting a Worlds Championships in the next couple of years. She has further made claims that these events will not cost USATT any money. ITTF will pay for it all she says, so how can we lose? Both these ideas are pure fantasy!!!
The ITTF Pro Tour Grand Finals is a million dollar event. Sure ITTF will help, to a degree, but it is the responsibility of the host federation to put on the event. The past few World Championships have cost between 5 and 10 MILLION DOLLARS to run!!!!! USATT is flat broke. Do not believe for an instant that ITTF is composed of stupid people (our presidential representative not withstanding). No way they are going to commit their premier event to an association in our current condition.
Add to this that, for the first time ever, the Las Vegas Convention Center is displeased with USATT's 'value in kind' for the use of their facilities. They now want USATT to cough up substantial money for its use, otherwise, no National Championships there this year. This is a major tragedy! No president before has been faced with this ultimatum. It takes real leadership to get us to this point. Leadership in the form of Ms. Pittman is what we have. It's just leadership in the wrong direction!!!
In her January free political advertising in the USATT Magazine, she has the gall to say that people who do not accept her version of reality "seek to undermine and destabilize USATT through attempts to discredit our leaders, undermine our relationships with the USOC or ITTF, or mislead our members." Just who is misleading here, Ms. Pittman?
Ms. Pittman does not want criticism, constructive or otherwise. All she wants is "yes men" who will do exactly what she wants so she can feel good about herself. Just ask any of the exceptional people who used to devote all of their time (for free) to the cause of table tennis in the United States and now have withdrawn to the background while Pittman runs roughshod on all that would stand in her way.
As Ms. Pittman continues to squander USATT funds with frivolous trips (she is in China on our dime as we write this), the actual losses for the year 2001 are still to be admitted. Inside sources put the amount at over $100,000.00. By the way, she has agreed to host the ITTF Pro Tour in Ft. Luaderdale again in 2002, throwing in an additional $10,000 MORE than last year (which lost well over $50,000).
(Known) Free Personal Vacations for Ms. Pittman paid for entirely by table tennis funds
| Location & Duration | Official USATT Reason |
| 2 weeks in the Netherlands | 3 day ITTF BGM meeting |
| 1 week in Winnipeg | NONE (went to watch Pan Am Games) |
| 3 weeks in Australia | NONE (went to watch Olympics) |
| 2 weeks in China | NONE (went to watch junior exhibitions) |
| 1 week in New York | NONE (went to watch Olympic Trials) |
| 1 week in Toronto | Beg ITTF for money & watch some TT |
| 2 weeks in Las Vegas | 2 - 1 day USATT BOD meetings |
| 2 weeks in Maylasia | 3 day ITTF BGM meeting |
| 2 weeks in Colorado | Financially "Straighten out" USATT |
| 3 weeks in Maryland | NONE (went to NA Teams) |
| 2 weeks in Florida | NONE (went to watch US Opens) |
| 1 week in Southern California |
NONE (wanted to watch Team
Trials)
News Flash, Pittman bows to your
political pressure, forced to cancel planned California paid vacation |
| 2 weeks in Japan | 3 day ITTF BGM meeting |
| 1 week in Florida | NONE (went to US Open to campaign on our dime) |
| 1 weekend in California | Brief morning meeting with NA Tour Sponsor
Real reason to campaign at local tournament
|
| 1 weekend in New York |
NONE (went to pay back a political debt)
|
| 1 weekend in Colorado | USATT BOD meeting |
| 1 week in Las Vegas |
NONE (went to watch National Championships)
|
| 1 week in China |
NONE (went to watch Pro Tour Grand Finals)
|
People are starting to realize that with USATT's loss of $183,000.00 in 2000 (and the potential bankruptcy of the organization if this is allowed to continue), we are at a critical point in our history.
The question looms large. How do we stop this bleeding?
It is up to you now. Do you care enough to save USATT? If so, how?