LMVSC town hall

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think many people on this thread questioning LB's leadership are working under the assumption she wants the club to grow and be successful on par with other local clubs. The truth of the matter is she is perfectly content maintaining a mid-size recreation program and travel soccer teams routinely hovering at the middle of the pack. If, every now and again, a team shows flashes of being "good" by winning the middle bracket at a tournament, moving up from NCSL Division 3 to 2, or having the occasional older player signing with a D2 or D3 college, then she uses these things as marketing. She is savvy enough to know how to keep LMVSC solvent, which provides her just enough presence in the crowded youth soccer market so that the uniformed families, who prioritize geographic convenience as their primary reason for signing up, will select LMVSC. Moreover, it allows her to retain control over the club and continue to draw the salary she does. When the club grew a few years ago and started to see real improvements in performance, followed by increases in players, she started to lose a little control and found ways to remind everyone she was in charge. Thus, leading to the demise you see happening over the last 18 months.

As suggested, there will always be families with small children in and around Manchester Lakes, Edison, Lee District Park, and Bryant who will sign their children up with LMVSC because it's near by. I'm sure much in the same way most of us were enticed to do so when we invested in the organization. These families, mine included, spent years in rec, transitioned to travel, and were promised all sorts of things in order to buy into the LMVSC brand. When my family was aware enough to know what was going on, we'd missed an opportunity for an older player but moved on so that the same mistakes were not made with the younger player.

In the final analysis, LB is loyal to no one but herself and her own self interest. LMVSC is her club and no one is going to change the way the organization is run until she decides to retire because she will not be removed by the so called "Board of Directors" no matter how many people walk away. She knows there will always be someone else waiting in the wings ready to sign up their ulittle to the neighborhood soccer program.

I believe this to be pretty accurate, except one thing: all those neighborhoods have clubs plenty close.

if your live in Bryant or near lee distract, what other clubs are pretty close? Alexandria may be a half hour drive to practice, SYC may be close or may not be depending on where your team practices

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think many people on this thread questioning LB's leadership are working under the assumption she wants the club to grow and be successful on par with other local clubs. The truth of the matter is she is perfectly content maintaining a mid-size recreation program and travel soccer teams routinely hovering at the middle of the pack. If, every now and again, a team shows flashes of being "good" by winning the middle bracket at a tournament, moving up from NCSL Division 3 to 2, or having the occasional older player signing with a D2 or D3 college, then she uses these things as marketing. She is savvy enough to know how to keep LMVSC solvent, which provides her just enough presence in the crowded youth soccer market so that the uniformed families, who prioritize geographic convenience as their primary reason for signing up, will select LMVSC. Moreover, it allows her to retain control over the club and continue to draw the salary she does. When the club grew a few years ago and started to see real improvements in performance, followed by increases in players, she started to lose a little control and found ways to remind everyone she was in charge. Thus, leading to the demise you see happening over the last 18 months.

As suggested, there will always be families with small children in and around Manchester Lakes, Edison, Lee District Park, and Bryant who will sign their children up with LMVSC because it's near by. I'm sure much in the same way most of us were enticed to do so when we invested in the organization. These families, mine included, spent years in rec, transitioned to travel, and were promised all sorts of things in order to buy into the LMVSC brand. When my family was aware enough to know what was going on, we'd missed an opportunity for an older player but moved on so that the same mistakes were not made with the younger player.

In the final analysis, LB is loyal to no one but herself and her own self interest. LMVSC is her club and no one is going to change the way the organization is run until she decides to retire because she will not be removed by the so called "Board of Directors" no matter how many people walk away. She knows there will always be someone else waiting in the wings ready to sign up their ulittle to the neighborhood soccer program.

I believe this to be pretty accurate, except one thing: all those neighborhoods have clubs plenty close.

if your live in Bryant or near lee distract, what other clubs are pretty close? Alexandria may be a half hour drive to practice, SYC may be close or may not be depending on where your team practices

LDP is like an 8-minute drive to Witter, the other fields aren’t too far. Way under 30 minutes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think many people on this thread questioning LB's leadership are working under the assumption she wants the club to grow and be successful on par with other local clubs. The truth of the matter is she is perfectly content maintaining a mid-size recreation program and travel soccer teams routinely hovering at the middle of the pack. If, every now and again, a team shows flashes of being "good" by winning the middle bracket at a tournament, moving up from NCSL Division 3 to 2, or having the occasional older player signing with a D2 or D3 college, then she uses these things as marketing. She is savvy enough to know how to keep LMVSC solvent, which provides her just enough presence in the crowded youth soccer market so that the uniformed families, who prioritize geographic convenience as their primary reason for signing up, will select LMVSC. Moreover, it allows her to retain control over the club and continue to draw the salary she does. When the club grew a few years ago and started to see real improvements in performance, followed by increases in players, she started to lose a little control and found ways to remind everyone she was in charge. Thus, leading to the demise you see happening over the last 18 months.

As suggested, there will always be families with small children in and around Manchester Lakes, Edison, Lee District Park, and Bryant who will sign their children up with LMVSC because it's near by. I'm sure much in the same way most of us were enticed to do so when we invested in the organization. These families, mine included, spent years in rec, transitioned to travel, and were promised all sorts of things in order to buy into the LMVSC brand. When my family was aware enough to know what was going on, we'd missed an opportunity for an older player but moved on so that the same mistakes were not made with the younger player.

In the final analysis, LB is loyal to no one but herself and her own self interest. LMVSC is her club and no one is going to change the way the organization is run until she decides to retire because she will not be removed by the so called "Board of Directors" no matter how many people walk away. She knows there will always be someone else waiting in the wings ready to sign up their ulittle to the neighborhood soccer program.

I believe this to be pretty accurate, except one thing: all those neighborhoods have clubs plenty close.

if your live in Bryant or near lee distract, what other clubs are pretty close? Alexandria may be a half hour drive to practice, SYC may be close or may not be depending on where your team practices

LDP is like an 8-minute drive to Witter, the other fields aren’t too far. Way under 30 minutes.

+1

Gunston shares Bryant so they are an option for most of those families. I’ve seen SYC at Hayfield so all the Kingstowne and Edison families should consider that as an option as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think many people on this thread questioning LB's leadership are working under the assumption she wants the club to grow and be successful on par with other local clubs. The truth of the matter is she is perfectly content maintaining a mid-size recreation program and travel soccer teams routinely hovering at the middle of the pack. If, every now and again, a team shows flashes of being "good" by winning the middle bracket at a tournament, moving up from NCSL Division 3 to 2, or having the occasional older player signing with a D2 or D3 college, then she uses these things as marketing. She is savvy enough to know how to keep LMVSC solvent, which provides her just enough presence in the crowded youth soccer market so that the uniformed families, who prioritize geographic convenience as their primary reason for signing up, will select LMVSC. Moreover, it allows her to retain control over the club and continue to draw the salary she does. When the club grew a few years ago and started to see real improvements in performance, followed by increases in players, she started to lose a little control and found ways to remind everyone she was in charge. Thus, leading to the demise you see happening over the last 18 months.

As suggested, there will always be families with small children in and around Manchester Lakes, Edison, Lee District Park, and Bryant who will sign their children up with LMVSC because it's near by. I'm sure much in the same way most of us were enticed to do so when we invested in the organization. These families, mine included, spent years in rec, transitioned to travel, and were promised all sorts of things in order to buy into the LMVSC brand. When my family was aware enough to know what was going on, we'd missed an opportunity for an older player but moved on so that the same mistakes were not made with the younger player.

In the final analysis, LB is loyal to no one but herself and her own self interest. LMVSC is her club and no one is going to change the way the organization is run until she decides to retire because she will not be removed by the so called "Board of Directors" no matter how many people walk away. She knows there will always be someone else waiting in the wings ready to sign up their ulittle to the neighborhood soccer program.

I believe this to be pretty accurate, except one thing: all those neighborhoods have clubs plenty close.

if your live in Bryant or near lee distract, what other clubs are pretty close? Alexandria may be a half hour drive to practice, SYC may be close or may not be depending on where your team practices

LDP is like an 8-minute drive to Witter, the other fields aren’t too far. Way under 30 minutes.

+1

Gunston shares Bryant so they are an option for most of those families. I’ve seen SYC at Hayfield so all the Kingstowne and Edison families should consider that as an option as well.

we considered SYC, but if we didn't get Hayfield for practice it would turn into a massive chore just getting DS to practice

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

That was a very good suggestion, to look at the most recent tax filing and compare it to a prior year.

In 2019, LMVSC reports a loss of ($55,513) and reported revenue was down over $170k from 2018 . Even though there was a loss, LB gave herself a $37k (46%) pay raise, gave her DIL (JG) a $15k (33%) raise and provided a $10k (100%) pay raise to a board member? Take away the pay raise to nepotism, the organization turns from a loss to a $7000 profit.

So, you ask why coaches and staff look to leave? At some point, the board needs to look at the 3 fingers pointing back at LB as she throws others under the bus.

It is apparent the customers, staff and coaches have decided to vote with their feet (and money), walking (some running) away from LMVSC.

whaaaat the fuuuuuu

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

That was a very good suggestion, to look at the most recent tax filing and compare it to a prior year.

In 2019, LMVSC reports a loss of ($55,513) and reported revenue was down over $170k from 2018 . Even though there was a loss, LB gave herself a $37k (46%) pay raise, gave her DIL (JG) a $15k (33%) raise and provided a $10k (100%) pay raise to a board member? Take away the pay raise to nepotism, the organization turns from a loss to a $7000 profit.

So, you ask why coaches and staff look to leave? At some point, the board needs to look at the 3 fingers pointing back at LB as she throws others under the bus.

It is apparent the customers, staff and coaches have decided to vote with their feet (and money), walking (some running) away from LMVSC.

whaaaat the fuuuuuu

Now the #lmvscfamily makes perfect sense. #friendsandfamily may be more fitting for future use.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

That was a very good suggestion, to look at the most recent tax filing and compare it to a prior year.

In 2019, LMVSC reports a loss of ($55,513) and reported revenue was down over $170k from 2018 . Even though there was a loss, LB gave herself a $37k (46%) pay raise, gave her DIL (JG) a $15k (33%) raise and provided a $10k (100%) pay raise to a board member? Take away the pay raise to nepotism, the organization turns from a loss to a $7000 profit.

So, you ask why coaches and staff look to leave? At some point, the board needs to look at the 3 fingers pointing back at LB as she throws others under the bus.

It is apparent the customers, staff and coaches have decided to vote with their feet (and money), walking (some running) away from LMVSC.

whaaaat the fuuuuuu

Unbelievable and unacceptable. Absolutely overcharged and given a subpar service, and then what does she do? Give herself a raise. End of season can’t come fast enough so we can leave. Can’t pressure us this time to stay!!

[Anonymous]

families with U-littles who are playing for fun for the most part do not care which club they sign up with. convenience and playing with kids in the same neighborhood is #1, #2, and #3

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much was LB’s total pay after the raise.

If I’m reading this correctly, LB made $117,053 as a W2 in 2019. As she also coaches, the pay for coaches is not reported on a W2 as they are considered 1099 contractors. Including her coaching pay, she likely pulled $135,000 from LMVSC. If she coached 2 teams, she’s close to $155k.

At this salary, they’re probably better off working as a teacher or at Home Depot. All this talk of soccer programs operating just for money... clearly bull

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:families with U-littles who are playing for fun for the most part do not care which club they sign up with. convenience and playing with kids in the same neighborhood is #1, #2, and #3

Thank you, and since the majority of everything (players, costs, revenue) don't come from "u-littles", I don't really care especially since my kids aren't "u-littles". Thanks for wasting my money and thousands of dollars LMVSC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much was LB’s total pay after the raise.

If I’m reading this correctly, LB made $117,053 as a W2 in 2019. As she also coaches, the pay for coaches is not reported on a W2 as they are considered 1099 contractors. Including her coaching pay, she likely pulled $135,000 from LMVSC. If she coached 2 teams, she’s close to $155k.

At this salary, they’re probably better off working as a teacher or at Home Depot. All this talk of soccer programs operating just for money... clearly bull

You have to actually work as a teacher or at Home Depot. Have you ever seen Lula coach?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:families with U-littles who are playing for fun for the most part do not care which club they sign up with. convenience and playing with kids in the same neighborhood is #1, #2, and #3

Thank you, and since the majority of everything (players, costs, revenue) don't come from "u-littles", I don't really care especially since my kids aren't "u-littles". Thanks for wasting my money and thousands of dollars LMVSC.

So....I don't understand this statement, it would seem to me to be the opposite. Also because once kids leave a program, they also don't tend to come back, but let's just talk numbers. The programs my kids are in tend to have 3, sometimes even 4 programs. At 11/12 kids in each, thats 35-45 kids paying pretty close if not the same amount as any other age. That shortens up a bit as numbers go up, but number of kids tends to stay around that so pick how long you want to call them ulittles, but at least 2-3 years of that forms your basis for the future (revenue, talent, whatever). Our kids at 11v11 tend to have 2 teams so there's again 32-40 kids. So maybe the ulittles don't get that much attention and maybe team fees don't add up as much, so the parent cost isn't as high - but the revenue to the club is the same if not more before you even get into forming the basis of your clubs future talent.

Now - LMVSC has a fairly good advantage to replacing players being so close to belvoir, there are kids moving in and out of the area all the time. But downside is that I assume if they get families from Belvoir, then they also lose them in 2-3 years as well so fairly transient. I'm making a big assumption there though, we're not actually at LMVSC to know what kids might have parents stationed at Belvoir, maybe there's a different club that focuses on that market.

[Anonymous]

Isnt the LMVSC fee comparable to other clubs? As far as I can see, it is. Our coach is excellent. As long as those two things remain constant, we're good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Isnt the LMVSC fee comparable to other clubs? As far as I can see, it is. Our coach is excellent. As long as those two things remain constant, we're good.

Yes Fees are similar in comparison to other clubs. I think the above may have have been most positive comment about LMVSC in the last 10 pages of this thread. lol.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Isnt the LMVSC fee comparable to other clubs? As far as I can see, it is. Our coach is excellent. As long as those two things remain constant, we're good.

I think it's that way in most clubs, DD is a U11 at another club. What happens with the U15 boys or the U17 girls struggling (or excelling) is irrelevant to our experience