The whole point is, maybe Frank should help work the door. Welcome the players, and the spectators. And try to make them feel like they want to come back again. And $25 a day, for that small of a field, is rediculous.
That is a great idea, but he would need the people skills to be able to be able to pull that off. Don't hold your breath.
I have a big problem with what happened to Justin, and I'll explain why.
Nobody has done more for the game of pool in the past several years than Chad and Justin. They have spent money (out of pocket) and have traveled the globe to promote the game of pool. They have a passion for what they do. They have a passion for bringing what they do to the fans. They are accessible to the public, and they address issues publicly and take responsibility when things don't go smoothly. They understand that their public relations go hand in hand with their credibility.
On the other hand, we have Frank Alvarez, President of the UPA. In the past 3 years, I have watched him lead the industry in one area: Poor Public Relations.
I am reminded of a phone conversation that I had with Frank amidst the cloud of dust that was formed by the collapse of the IPT. The UPA crawled out of the ashes of the post-IPT era with Frank at the helm. Frank had asked me to help draw interest and support for the UPA within the internet forums. I took half-assed approach to doing so because he seemed a bit hesitant to allocate any authority to anybody else in any area of the UPA's operations. I saw that as a red flag.
When you have that problem within an organization, brace yourself for a sudden impact. That sudden impact occurred in Phoenix last year. I had more than one conversation with Mark (bfdlad) about how bad that was going to turn out. Next week I get to finally buy him a beer to celebrate the fact that we called that one months in advance.
Public relations is just as important as filling the flow chart. It cannot be a side issue. When you see people that can assist you in growing your tour - or people that have outstanding public appeal such as TAR, it pays to know how to network when those opportunities arise
to help grow the sport. What Frank did in that situation creates more separation. Whether that is by design or by accident or by his own stupidity remains a mystery.
I don't know if Frank is trying to give off the impression that UPA is worth more than it is, or what the game plan is here - but this was a really bad move on Frank's part.
I know Frank reads the forums. He views the internet as (and this is a direct quote) "something that we cannot control". Frank, if you read this I will take you back to a conversation you and I had 4 years ago. I told you that the internet is a tool that can be used to promote the game of pool. The more you integrate yourself with the internet community, the more people will know about you and the way you do things and why. Look at how Mike Howerton promotes the game of pool through Azbilliards.com and take notes. I suggested that you should make friends and establish contacts and relationships in an attempt to create a solid foundation and trust with the public and the industry.
I also told you that if you pushed the public away, there may come a day when they will never come back.
I think that day may have come.
It's sad because you have a lot of energy and some really great ideas, but your delivery really sucks. Sorry, but those were the nicest words I could find.
:shrug:
You're not a Pro unless you pay $125 membership fee to UPA - United States Professional Pool Player's Association!
I will sign it and everything. However I will only pay you $2.00 to take it 
