Clonbur

It's not about me. It's about the kids and the benefits of playing the great sport of Hockey. If the Vipers made decisions in the best interest of Hockey and the Kids, they wouldn't be in this position. A landlord doesn't evict good tenants.

I don't think much will change. Every rink in W. PA is currently privately owned and "for profit". All current tournaments are "for profit". I would imagine that they would want to get as many kids playing the sport as possible. There are many more opportunities for them to make it more affordable for kids to play. I don't see how prices would raise to the point that it would deter kids from playing the sport. It's obvious that this has not happened in the Philly Market. Tier 2 and 3 will always be competitive regardless.

Please read my previous post many months ago. The writing was on the wall. The Viper Board is toxic and drove many away from Pittsburgh Ice. It only makes sense for Pittsburgh Ice to partner with a program that promotes hockey in a positive light.

@AMR24 You must not have read any of my previous posts or your interpretation on my comments is completely off. I get no joy from the Viper's failures. Never once have I or will I call anyone out by name or call people names. I've never had any issues with anything that has happened on the ice. My son had great coaches the entire time and we've made wonderful friendships with many great families. My issue is with THE BOARD. Their decisions have ruined an opportunity for my son and others. Yet, they continue to blame others for their failures.

They chased everyone away... hence "Viper's Demise", the original thread. The 10u and 12u stars coach even left/fired (depends on how you interpret "pay decrease"). If you sign up today your kid could be a member of a AA program!!

You are not a NON-PROFIT organization. You are Not-for-profit, big difference. You also have paid employees and board members. It sounds like they sit back and let you do all the work. I am sure the Aviators will appreciate your hard work.

Everything I stated became true and is true. My skin in the game is the friends and families that are still being misled by this unethical organization. They begged, pleaded and bribed many players to stay/come back. Then they chase the coach out. (I am not for or against Posey, he never coached my kid). They are money hungry and no good for hockey. Call me what you want behind your keyboard, you sound like a tough guy. I will continue to refrain from name calling as I always have. I will always side with ethics and what's good for the sport.

I'm not a coach. Never claimed to be. Posey's resume (like him or not) will be hard to beat. He was a major reason why most of the kids stayed with the Stars. When you sell a product that includes a qualified coach and then you don't provide one... who's fault is that? Who suffers? NHAHA needs to point their finger at themselves (which they never do). I'm not the reason the program failed. I noticed the poor leadership 4 years ago.

I honestly hope someone would turn it around. Unfortunately it will not be the current leadership. They wrote their own script and they are paying the price. Nobody else is to blame but themselves. It saddens me as so many good families are now suffering from their inability to lead. They have to deal with broken promises as the board has deceived them once again. I'm sure they will make sure everyone that signed their financial commitment pays in full while they provide a much less qualified coach. Sad all around and horrible for hockey.

Hmmmm.... Posey fired/resigned. No Viper 12u or 10u teams?? But the Board is still "doing their best".

You should change "Deep Thoughts" to "Debbie Downer" (jk)

I could tell you why, but I would get censored again.

You must be drinking the Viper cool aide. People are not leaving because of not making teams or the coaches or the ice time (maybe a small percent but that's everywhere). They are leaving from the continued (4 years and counting) poor decisions from the board. The board should review who started in their program and who has moved on. This kind of mass movement does not happen at other locations. The Board will use lines like "grass is not greener" and "maybe you should volunteer more".... these lines are used on previous head coaches. They also have Board Members who are leaving each year. Count the number of coaches that have left. You can have good intentions and be on 100 boards but data doesn't lie. They need new leadership and soon. Black Bear is going to pull that rug from underneath them. I know it's hard to swallow for those who still think they are "doing their best".

It was definitely not the only reason. Unfortunately it's not always as simple as you put it. Viper Stars is a AA program. They were going to get placed into AA if they are competitive at that level or not. They need to market and make their $$. PAIHL also plays the #'s game to make sure the teams have so many in each level. Plus.... If they didn't make AA then we would be paying AA prices as Stars which is more than regular Vipers with minimal difference in ice time. Do you set your kid up to fail? Don't you want your kid (or every kid) to play at the correct skill level? They want to money.... they don't care about the kids.

Because my kid is not a AA player and neither was 1/2 the team they accepted at the time. Next competition level was A minor. All other talent left for greener pastures.

1. I never knew about this site until about a month ago. I doubt any of those who left know about this site nor care to post. It's not going to change anything and neither will my post. It's unfortunate that the members of the board still think they are doing a good job when the organization is crumbing around them. 2. I learned very quickly that the decision makers are the top 3-4 who get the stipend, they have kids in Esmark or no longer in development levels, and this board doesn't have open elections (you are invited by other board members) aka not a democratic process. 3. Doesn't matter where we are. We needed to leave so that my child had more choices and placed in the proper skill level. His choices before we left were to be forced into AA Stars or A minor 3. All of the other talent left the organization the year prior. If I went to any other PAHL organization in the area we would be in greener pastures. 4. I do above my fare share of volunteerism to all organizations my kids are involved with.

I've never hid. I've said my piece to the board members when we went there. The Vipers even have board members leaving for other organizations this year. You would think that would wake up some of them. It is run by a few that now collect a stipend that they refuse to relinquish. They aren't doing it for the kids. I look forward to another organization moving into PICE.

If you are on the Board... you should resign. You are not doing anything to help the organization. You have years of bad decisions. We left a few years ago. I went to a board meeting to address issues and it was a joke. I heard the same "the grass isn't greener comment" which is you mantra. It is greener. Much much greener. The board does not do what's best for development. I've witnessed 80 kids on one sheet of ice, board member kids get put on better teams above their skill level, teams being forced to play down because they don't want to go "Stars" and pay more money for the same amount of Ice and instruction, 80 kids in an ADM program 4 years ago and I can only name 8 that are still skating for the Vipers. You are now on your 4th year of mass exodus. RESIGN. You are doing no favors to anyone.

They all survived. I don't think the Vipers have a chance with this board at the helm. They seem to be purposefully chasing people away.

Another year.... another mass exodus. This has been going 4 years in a row. When will the board resign to save the organization from imminent peril?