Sopcic cleared to play!

CLEARED TO PLAY!!!  Was the consensus of the TowerTennis Ethics Committee. In a unanimous decision... Finalist Sopcic will not be prevented from competing for the title after failing to disclose childhood training.  The compelling email testimony of Sopcic's father Mark, heavily influenced the committee's decision.

Although the committee was united in that Sopcic should play for the title, there was further controversy as some committee members exceeded their purview, and went beyond the scope that they were authorized.  Although my actions as Tennis Director certainly appear to be nefariously motivated.  I alone know that my actions were justified, and am not afraid of publishing dissenting opinions.  "If a position cannot stand up to criticism, then that position should be abandoned" -- Steve England 2011.  The charges levied against me as Tennis Director/Commissioner are a result of not looking deeper into the reasons for my actions.  I personally believe that a victory is proportional to the difficulty with which is was achieved!  By eliminating my competition through disqualification -- I eliminate the glory of any potential victory.  I would further add that I have never lost in tournament play to the individuals in question.  Therefore, why would I feel a need to disqualify them, unless I felt it justified?  On the surface it only makes me look bad, and again -- minimizes any glory associated with a victory.

Below is the most outspoken opinion:

The 2011 Tower Tennis Ethics Committee was convened in order to determine the eligibility status of one, Matthew Sopcic, a 2011 Tower Tennis participant, in his first year of competition. The ethics committee  considered many details before rendering a decision. Items considered included, past practices, family member statements, as well as a complete examination of the individuals ethics and moral fortitude. The committee found that one, Matthew Sopcic, did indeed compromise the integrity of the Tower Tennis tournament, as well as himself, by failing to fully disclose his previous tennis experience and skill level. This allowed Mr. Sopcic to "ramrod" his way through the lower bracket with little to no resistance. Meanwhile, upper level players , much like himself, were forced to compete with equal competition, which resulted in many elite level players being eliminated from the tournament early. This clearly gave Mr. Sopcic a competitive advantage, as he did not have to sacrifice his body match in and match out while those in the upper bracket were slowly being worn down by similar level competition. Mr. Sopcic's "sandbagging" approach throughout the 2011 Tower Tennis Tournament is a shame and an embarrassment for those of us who hold it in such high regard. However, due to the fact that the Tournament Commissioner failed to conform to standard disclosure policies with all participants, Mr. Sopcic cannot be held accountable for the Commissioner's own failure, and should be allowed to compete in the 2011 Tower Tennis Championship Match, with no restrictions or doubt in his eligibility status.
During the process of investigating one, Matthew Sopcic, the committee was disturbed by what they found in reviewing the actions of Commissioner Steven England. The Committee found an alarming pattern of not only attempting to, but in one case the actual suspension of an elite level competitor. During the 2011 Tower Tennis Tournament, defending runner-up and contender for the 2011 Title, Jeffrey Bode, was suddenly and abruptly suspended for actions deemed inappropriate by the Commissioner. Whether or not this suspension was just or not, it clearly gave Steven England a competitive advantage going forward within this year's tournament. We believe the commissioner was/is attempting to increase his odds of a championship repeat by eliminating his greatest competitors. The fact that the commissioner holds the power of judge, jury, and prosecutor, should be addressed going forward. -- BW

The following are more moderate:

Wow.  The condemnation of the tournament director was not warranted, but I do feel that Sopcic should be allowed to continue in tournament play; to include, but not limited to, the 2011 Finals. -- Dynasty Champion JT.

I agree with JT -- Committee Member/2011 Semifinalist DR.

 After much consideration, I am left with no choice but to side with Mr. Broadway's findings.
 It is unfortunate to witness the tournament's evolution to autocracy. -- Committee Member MM.