Field Sports are Getting Ugly Here in Lebo

I have received some letters concerning Mt. Lebanon Soccer (MLSA) and Mt. Lebanon Lacrosse. It appears that both are full of problems related to exclusivity, favoritism, and secrecy.

A Lebo Citizens reader sent this comment to me earlier.

I also know that the fields are not packed with kids. I have been going to them and there is plenty of space for more...teams. I have some pictures.

I also know that coaches are hand picked ... you can be a coach one year and then totally dismissed the following year. This is very upsetting to some folks who have devoted themselves to coaching and then are put out in the cold...

I know that new positions open up... they aren’t shared publicly, and they are filled by the board’s friends or colleagues...

September 13, 2014 10:50 am. Kids' soccer game. Little kids. Parents on bleachers. Grass still wet from rain. You can see the droplets on my car window. So much for the "we need turf because rain ruins playing time" myth.

The following letter showed up today in The Almanac. Let kids play soccer I am told this is quite common.

Published Sep 15, 2014 at 10:35 am (Updated Sep 15, 2014 at 10:35 am)
Note to self: the old adage “Get on the ball.! Be on the ball!” heard playing soccer as youth, still holds true. 

As summer came to a close, the smell of fall ripening filled the air; I discussed the seasonal activities with my 9-year-old son. As was standard, he made the decision to play soccer. Last year, his mother was an assistant coach, the year before, I was. After the discussion, I went online and pursued fulfilling the registration application. At this point, it was two days prior to the deadline for registration. Once I made my way onto the Mt. Lebanon Soccer Association (MLSA) website and continued on to their registration site, I was prompted to provide login information and password. I came to a standstill. I did not have an account on the registration site, so how was I able to provide this? I wasn’t. So, I attempted to set up an account. That went fine. Now to enter the player, my son onto my account. Failed! It stated that he was already assigned to an account and could not be assigned to more than one. Again it requested the login and password for the account. And still, I did not know of any. 

So, I then began a long line of attempts to gain knowledge of that information and have my son registered. To make a long story shorter, I never received the login info. His mother attempted, but at that point, it was a day after registration had closed. MLSA stated in an email, “Sorry registration is closed. Should have contacted me last night. Better luck next time.” 

I continued on requesting to MLSA that the president of MLSA be given this to consider. I asked that due to my documented attempts to register my son prior to the deadline, that an exception be made and that my son be considered registered. I received no correspondence back in writing ever. I did receive a phone call that lasted more than 30 minutes late one evening while my family was on vacation, and I was told several reasons why they (MLSA) do not make exceptions and are not going to start. I was explained to that the maximum capacity had been reached. I was informed that field space was limited. None of the reasons took into account that I attempted to register my son prior to the deadline, nor did they justify my son not having the ability to play on the field this season. Also, they offered no waiting list of any type, no option. He’s not playing here in Lebo. 

I took it further and spoke with PA West (local oversight committee, soccer specific) and to US Youth Soccer (national), also spoke with Mt. Lebanon Recreation Department. Some have a view that there should be a place for a 9-year-old to play on a soccer team. I have contacted other local clubs and they had room and would take him despite their registration being closed. However, MLSA will not be governed by their peers or by their big brothers. No exceptions. I have heard recently about how allowing another player on the field would in turn limit another’s time. I know. My son is limited completely. He can’t even step on the field. He’s 9, and he wants to play. 

Limiting a child’s ability to play at 9 years of age. Why? Let them all play. 

Justin Beinhauer
Mt. Lebanon

This letter was circulated earlier this summer:

From: Lebo Boys Lax <lebolaxboys@gmail.com>

Subject: Mt Lebanon Lacrosse Association Elections - Important

Date: July 23, 2014 at 1:11:57 PM EDT

To: undisclosed-recipients:;

Did you know that the Mt Lebanon Lacrosse Board is having elections this summer to fill 4 board seats.

Probably not which begs the questions why not and why the lack of transparency from YOUR lacrosse association? Why doesn't the board want the Association members to know about these elections again? 

Could it be that while the entire girls program accounts for just over 20% of the program they control over 50% of the board seats and dominate the agenda and discussions?
Could it be they do not want you to know that while Youth Boys Lacrosse brings in over 50% of the income there is only 1 board seat for youth boys?

Could it be that the board does not want anyone to ask why the Youth boys play on a postage stamp sized field if they generate over $50,000 per season. Where does the money go? Maybe it goes to support the girls program, the same girls program that excludes players yet does not have enough players to financially support themselves nor fill the teams they have?

Where is the yearly budget that by the IRS 501c non profit laws must be made public to all association members. Maybe they don't want to explain the six figure bank balance they keep on hand while making the players buy uniforms and play on sub-par fields.

Maybe they do not want you to see how the board has failed to address the field shortage issue for years which only gets worse for the boys with each passing year. Perhaps they don't want anyone to know that they have failed to participate, pay dues or cooperate with the Mt Lebanon Field Alliance for years which is why the association has no voice on field decisions. 

Maybe the board wants to continue acting with impunity against coaches and players without the benefit of public notice while failing to address the future needs of the association and its members. Where are the monthly minutes that by the IRS 501c non profit laws must be made public to all association members? 

Perhaps they don't want you to know that a majority, not all but most of the coaches teaching your kids have no training or certification as coaches. A clear violation on WPYLA and US Lacrosse Rules. Maybe they don't want it known that there is no process or procedure for vetting, training or managing coaches. 

Maybe they don't want you to know that many of the board members are commissioners directly responsible for themselves as coaches. Literally protecting themselves from scrutiny, complaints and oversight as coaches and board member's, not only dysfunctional but highly unethical. 

Could it be as simple as this board wants to continue operating with your money without oversight, spending Youth Boys lacrosse money to prop up a failing and dwindling youth girls program...the same girls program that has more board seats but far less players than the boys.

Perhaps its just that the board wants to hide the rampant incompetence that has defined the board youth commissioners the last few years while continuing to define the Mt Lebanon Lacrosse Association.

Its time to speak up and make your voice heard, ask some questions and demand answers. This is your lacrosse association, for your lacrosse players, paid for by you. Elect a board that puts your kids interests ahead of their own self interest for a change.
There are many reasons that the board elections are secret and the minutes and budgets are kept hidden from Association members......... 

Make a difference in the future of this association. Our boys deserve much better than what they have gotten from this board and its members. Be an agent for change and protect the future of the your Boys Lacrosse Program. Call for open elections and open meetings! Maybe a stand alone boys lacrosse association.
Pass it on....

Sent on behalf of the Lebolax Youth Boys Supporters

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Steve Gurtner, President drsteve@gurtnerdental.com
Brian Prettyman, Treasurer brian.prettyman@pnc.com
Lori Shure, Secretary lori.shure@pnc.com 412-XXX-XXXX
Jim Cappucci, Communications Commissioner jacappucci3@gmail.com
Tim White, H. S. Boys Commissioner white89tim@gmail.com
Jim Rebisa, H.S. Boys Commissioner jrebisa@verizon.net 412-XXX-XXXX
Collette Gibbons, H. S. Girls Commissioner mtl.girlslax@gmail.com
Brian Kattan, Commissioner at large briankattan@hotmail.com 724-XXX-XXXX
Jeffrey Iovino, Boys Youth Commissioner iovinochef@msn.com
Suzanne Sieber, Girls Middle School Commisioner suzanne.sieber@verizon.net 412-XXX-XXXX
Kate Murdoch, Girls Youth Commisioner (1st-4th Grade) kathryn.s.murdoch@gmail.com

Is it time for this bumper sticker?

Turf Project Update

I understand that some people are a little nervous about the anti-turf signs. I am happy to promote Mt. Lebanon Soccer Association. If anything, you should probably be nervous about mini hurricanes and hail storms like what happened tonight on Cedar Blvd.

The great news is that artificial turf will solve all your problems. Kids can still play during hail, floods, locusts, you name it. It is still a go. Really, was there any doubt? 

John Bendel has never seen any articles about the dangers of turf. That came out tonight during Citizen Comments. That came two comments after mine. My comment was to cancel the $11,000 infomercial that will be given on June 12 in Mellon Auditorium. Would we really hear anything negative from a speaker who has a partnership with FieldTurf, an artificial turf company?

While this was happening, here is the latest on Twitter. What a class act Lebo is. 

Did they or didn't they? UPDATED

Here we go again. I am getting conflicting information. According to Dave Franklin, Mt. Lebanon Soccer made the largest, single contribution to the Toxic Turf Project. I took his comment and emailed Commissioner John Bendel, and copied the Recreation Director and the MTLSD Athletic Director.

The exchange, which I believe I have shared here before, is below.

On Mar 23, 2014, at 10:47 AM, "egillen476@aol.com" <egillen476@aol.com> wrote:

Good morning Gentlemen,

On March 15, 2014 at 10:58 PM, Dave Franklin posted this on my blog post, https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2395310382514169324&postID=1444478462632748849

"On 10:42, to date soccer has made the single largest donation to the turf project...

Dave Franklin"

How much was soccer's donation? Since you are members of the Turf Project Task Force, I thought I should ask you directly, rather than waiting for Dave Franklin to respond on my Lebo Citizens blog. To date, Mr. Franklin has not answered my question.

Thanks in advance.

Elaine Gillen

From: John Bendel <jbendel@mtlebanon.org>
To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Cc: Recreation David Donnellan <ddonnellan@mtlebanon.org>; John Grogan <JGrogan@mtlsd.net>; Commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>
Sent: Sun, Mar 23, 2014 8:24 pm
Subject: Re: Soccer donation for Mt. Lebanon Turf Project

Elaine,

The soccer association has made a pledge to the turf project. Since they are a private association, I do not feel comfortable providing the specific amount of their pledge without their approval to do so. Several other sports associations have made pledges and the Commission expects to receive a status report on the totals in early April for pledges and cash on hand as of month-end March. The status report with the totals can be shared at that time. 

Lo and behold, this eblast surfaces today.

From: MLSA Announce <mlsa@tristan.excaliburdata.com>
Date: April 7, 2014 at 3:40:36 PM EDT
Subject: [MLSA] Cedar Boulevard Turf Project - please read carefully
Reply-To: <soccer@mlsa.org>

Friends of Soccer:

On behalf of the Mt. Lebanon Soccer Association, I wanted to take a minute to share with you some important news regarding the APPROVED plan to add artificial turf at Wildcat and Middle Fields.  The Commission has allocated approximately $750,000 towards the completion of this important field project.

Adding artificial turf at this location will undoubtedly benefit our Association as well as community recreation programs, other youth sports associations, our high school programs, and it will even allow for some much-anticipated adult league play.  Practices and games on the turf will not be affected by soggy field conditions again.  Our ability to teach our youth will greatly improve with a consistent playing surface.

These improvements are long overdue, and our Association would like to thank the many folks who have been involved in this effort over many, many years.  However, the work is not complete. The plan approved by the Commission also requires a private contribution of approximately $250,000. To date, the Sports Advisory Board has raised over $100,000 through limited requests. This is a great start, but let's not stop now!

On behalf of the Association, I would kindly ask that you please consider making a TAX DEDUCTIBLE donation to the Turf Project Fund. 

Go to http://www.mtlebanonendowment.org/contributions/field-improvement-project/ to make your tax deductible donation TODAY!

If you have any questions, or if you know a corporation or local business that might be interested in participating in this exciting project, please contact the Sports Advisory Board at leboturfproject@gmail.com.

** We know that all of our kids probably play more than one sport and we appreciate that you might receive an email like this from another Association.  Please understand that our goal is not to stuff your mailbox, but this truly is a community-wide, grass roots effort.  Thanks for your understanding and cooperation.

Thanks for your time and consideration,

Bob Andrews

MLSA President

So did the Soccer Association make the largest single contribution or didn't they? Was Dave Franklin's announcement premature? Am I being lied to? Or did someone on the Soccer Association commit to something without the approval of the Association? Are parents being asked to contribute twice? Is this another example of donating the same $125,000 over and over? I love his choice of words, "grass roots effort."
Mr. Andrews was one of the eighteen who wrote in support of turfing Middle and Wildcat Fields.

Update April 8, 2014 10:57 PM During Citizens Comments tonight, I asked about the Soccer Association donation. John Bendel is still not comfortable releasing that information. Through my Right To Know, I learned of the possibility of corporate deal with Dick's Sporting Goods. Steve Silverman shared that Dick's has donated $5,000. That's it. No clothing deals and no sign. I also asked what the amount is projected to cost. John Bendel said that it was still $1,000,000 with $750,000 coming from us and $250,000 coming from "non-municipal funds." If the project comes in higher than that, the Commission has not decided whether the Sports Advisory Board's contribution will remain at $250,000 or if it will be 25% of the project, as originally discussed.

A closer look at fields

AGREEMENT FOR SCHOOL DISTRICT ATHLETIC FIELDS

CONSIDERATION OF A JOINT MAINTENANCE

Mr. Brumfield said that on May 1, 1999, the School District, Municipality and Youth Sports Alliance entered into the first agreement to improve the quality of athletic fields owned by the School District. The joint agreement has been very successful, and all of the parties want the partnership to continue.

This new successor agreement has the following major provisions:

1. Term of two years beginning July 1, 2010 and ending June 30, 2012.
2. The financial arrangements are the same as contained in the previous agreement. The School District pays Mt. Lebanon $83,300 per year for both infield renovation work and maintenance of the turf grass athletic fields. The Youth Sports Alliance contributes $30,000 each year to the School District for the services.
3. School District employees are responsible for weekly infield dragging, irrigation and facility maintenance. The School District is also responsible for all lawn mowing.

http://www.mtlebanon.org/archives/31/Approved%20Commission%20Minutes%205-10-10.pdf 

Podcast of May 10, 2010 Commission meeting Part 1
Podcast of May 10, 2010 Commission meeting Part 2


This does not include the artificial turf in the high school stadium. So let's talk about what this means. YSA is paying nothing for municipal fields. The School District is paying $83,300 per year for thirteen fields. That comes to $6407 per field (confirmed with municipal data), which does not include the cost of the District employees cutting the grass, weekly infield dragging, irrigation and facility maintenance which is another $4000 (est.) which comes to roughly $10,000 per field or $130,000 for School District fields. Using the same math for the five municipal fields, it is costing us roughly $180,000 for fields in Mt. Lebanon. According to the agreement, YSA is to be contributing $30,000 a year for School District fields only. It cannot be documented that they have been making this contribution.

Let's recap. We have McNeilly Field which we still owe all the money. We have YSA putting pressure on a commissioner, I mean, passionate to turf and light Mellon Field for $1 million, without any research done for the real costs. YSA is contributing nothing towards municipal fields. And the School District cannot confirm the $30,000 contribution from YSA. Oh my.

YSA 990 2008 Line 28 shows $3597 contributed towards agreement
YSA 990 2009 Line 28 shows $30,000 contributed towards agreement
YSA 990 2010 Line 28 shows $10,000 contributed towards agreement

Update May 2, 2012 9:15 AM
November 16, 2009 Board Summary Agreement voted unanimously by the School Board

Recreational sports groups in Mt. Lebanon had planned to donate money to help build community athletic fields on a parcel off McNeilly Road, but now they've learned just how much one municipal commissioner wants them to donate: $850,000.
David Humphreys at Monday's commission meeting told representatives from the Youth Sports Alliance and other sports groups that since the project cost is approaching $2.5 million, he wants the groups to pony up $850,000.
That would be half of the $1.7 million cost to do basic improvements to the 23-acre parcel.
Bruce Fisher, of the Youth Sports Alliance, and Art McAuley, of the Mt. Lebanon Soccer Foundation, said the alliance has just received the proper tax status to raise money. McAuley said his group could pledge $125,000 but couldn't commit to the full $850,000 now.
The groups are working with a fund-raising consultant and hope to have a plan soon.
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-south/townsouth-route-19-briefs-578029/


 In the July/August 2008 Mt. Lebanon Magazine, http://ebooks.mtlebanon.org/mtl/mtl-112008/pageflip.html page 9 Dave Donnellan said:
Field options being considered It’s never been easy scheduling youth sports on Mt. Lebanon’s limited number of fields. But in recent years, with enrollment in recreational and club sports on the rise and weather as unpredictable as ever, the problem is getting worse. In 2003, more than 500 kids played soc- cer through the Mt. Lebanon Recreation Department. That number has steadily grown, and this year topped out at a whop- ping 1,201 for the spring and fall programs. That doesn’t even count the kids who play for the Mt. Lebanon Soccer Association, a private soccer group. Likewise, recreational T-ball grew from 70 kids in 2003 to 155 this summer.“Each spring and fall the youth sports as- sociations, the Youth Sports Alliance, the school district and the recreation department meet to determine the scheduled use of the fields in Mt. Lebanon. It is always a struggle to try to accommodate the needs of all the users,” says David Donnellan, Mt. Lebanon’s recreation director. “New fields and/or fields with artificial turf and lighting would help, not only to accommodate the growth in youth sports, but also would allow for taking fields out of service periodically so that they can recover and be properly maintained.”But what’s the best way to do that? In 2003, Mt. Lebanon municipality purchased 23 acres off McNeilly Road for $1.8 million in the hopes of turning it into ath- letic fields. Commissioners have held public meetings to gauge interest, but they have not continued on page 10 town topics Fast-tracking the revitalization of Mt. Lebanon’s commercial districts, and in particular the “Uptown” central business district, is the mission of Mt. Lebanon’s Economic Development Council (EDC) Task Force. Led by Commissioner Raja, the task force rep- resents various groups that have a stake in Uptown’s future. For the past several months, the task force has been meeting simultaneously with the EDC in public session at the municipal building at 7:30 a.m. on the last Friday of every month. There is a lot of brainstorming, as is typical when a group of energetic, creative people convenes. Some ideas are huge undertakings that could come to fruition in the long run; some may be pipe dreams. But other ideas have actually become plans that can be ac- complished over the short term. Here is an overview of things that have taken place or are in the works. continued page 8 More than 760 kids, preschool through second grade, signed up for soccer programs through the Mt. Lebanon Recreation Department this fall. The fields get heavy use and parking is often insufficient. Commissioners are looking at several proposals that would either increase the number of fields or extend the amount of time they can be used by installing artificial turf and lights. 




Update 9:29 AM

In Posti's own words, http://jposti.blogspot.com/2008_11_01_archive.html
Then: "both parties sharing the cost" Now: Municipality only
Then: "whether a $1 million cost is justifiable" Now: It's justifiable if the municipality pays all costs
Then: "concerned about the environmental impact of artificial turf" Now: Turf away!
Then: Posti wanted an overview of conditions and maintenance costs Now: Who cares?

Read the text cut from the webpage via above URL link:
During Mr. Silhol's Joint Steering Committee report tonight, he described a meeting he, Mr. Allison and Ms. Stipanovich recently had with two commissioners and Mr. Feller to discuss the option that would include installing artificial turf at Mellon as well as Wildcat. This option is obviously one that would need to be considered jointly between the Municipality and the District with both parties sharing the cost.

This evening was the first time we discussed whether we as a board are interested in exploring this option. Some of the concerns I and other board members voiced included the fact that we've recently completed work on Mellon Field to improve drainage as well as whether a $1 million cost is justifiable in light of the high school project and our current economic situation. One of my biggest concerns with this project is that while the Municipality has done their own analysis of their existing fields, undeveloped land and District-owned properties that can be better utilized, we as a District have not yet done an analysis of our own field priorities. In order to understand where installation of turf on Mellon fits into the District's priorities, I would like to see an overview of all of the District's field conditions and what the short and long-term maintenance conditions may be. This is an issue that I raised last month when we approved an unscheduled capital expenditure for Jefferson Field. Mrs. Cappucci also requested a breakdown of how the fields are used - scholastic vs. recreation vs, club sports on each field.

Another concern I shared was the environmental impact of installing artificial turf on these fields - something I believe we're obligated to consider. With our joint participation with the Municipality in the Cool Cities initiative, we do need to give joint consideration to environmental issues that impact the community.

I'm looking forward to learning more about how this project being considered by the Municipality fits into the District's priorities. I do believe that both bodies value the importance of youth sports in our community and I think that there are those among us who would like to find funds to enhance and improve our available options but we also need to address and prioritize the needs within each of our individual taxing bodies while working jointly to find solutions that make sense to a constituency that we both share.

Update 9:37 AM  Happy Birthday, Josephine. Thank you for praying for me.

Update 3:59 PM MLSA 2008 990
                           MLSA 2009 990
                           MLSA 2010 990

Update 4:51 PM 2010 Mt. Lebanon Demographics from US Census

Update 5:01 PM MLLA 2008 990
                           MLLA 2009 990
                           MLLA 2010 990

Update 5:52 PM MLBA 2007 990
                           MLBA 2008 990
                           MLBA 2009 990 
                           MLBA 2010 not on file