Little late getting to this. Busy training week after the match. I wanted to thank Area 6, Match Director Jay Corn, Range Master Marc Weir, and all of the staff, RO’s, stage builders, designers and other volunteers that came together to put on a successful match.
I am a competitor. Universal Shooting Academy trains competitors. We train warriors, as well as self defense practitioners. I also come from the quiet professional background, I let my performance speak, try not to talk to much smack. My integrity is of the utmost highest. I wasn’t going to address the so called “practicegate” but then I thought better of it as I will always defend those that are doing right.
I can assure you nothing nefarious went on prior to the match. We had a 6 stage local USPSA match. One stage was a classifier. Of the other 5 stages many of the walls and fault lines were in the same position as they were going to be for the A6 Championship match. The reason for that is the match had 12 stages to build, it was a week prior to the match, volunteerism for helping out is pretty weak, so those helping used that opportunity to get started. “Those” in this circumstance is about 2 people. Targets weren’t in the same spot or same configuration as they were going to be for the match. It wouldn’t have been the same. No one that volunteers with me would do that. Period. Even though this match wasn’t run by USA, it was run by the same people that I work with for all matches in this area.
Dave Pruitt shot this match, then pulled his score sheets after the match so it didn’t look like he shot it. Then he got on the web and started the shit storm. He also shot Volusia’s match the next day which advertised practicing the A6 Stages. (which I’m totally cool with by the way). Not sure why Dave did what he did, he is a friend of mine. He did, however, get smoked by 15% on the match and 10% by me, (I didn’t shoot the “practice match” as I was off winning a State Championship in another sport) so “practicing” must not have helped him much.
After that the mouth breathers on FB took the reins. Those who knew nothing about what happened stirred the pot more. Causing the A6 Director to get involved (who also knew nothing) pressuring the MD and RM to change everything. Which resulted in the limited volunteer force to put that much more work in the following weekend changing what didn’t need to be changed.
Although I MD many matches, for this one I was just a volunteer. Had I been in charge I wouldn’t have changed a thing as it wasn’t needed. But it was what it was and we pulled off another awesome match.
What saddens me is the affect the internet has on folks. We may even lose a local club because of this bs. We for sure lost a sweet lady who did nothing but offer her time to help the sport. Due to “cheating” allegations she has given up on helping with anything USPSA. Why spend her spare time when there is no thanks….only bitching. Mostly from folks who live on fb and are not competitors.
Consider the record set straight.
With that I offer a challenge. Be a competitor! Get off the porch! Go practice, dryfire, take a class. Don’t complain about the inequities of the world; make yourself better. We have some of the best shooters in the world here at USA. We are available to make you better. My time is valuable as is yours. Don’t spend it crying on the web. Spend it taking a class and/or dryfiring!!
I recommend a simple 2 each, reload, 2 each. Lets compete!!