10/07/2025
To the much appreciated shooters of River Bend USPSA,
Long before I took over as Match Director, there had been conflict between the Club President (at that time Will Owensby) and the USPSA matches that were held there. I was warned of this 3 years ago, but thought that if I focused on the match and minded my own business, it wouldn't be a concern. I was wrong.
Just before I took over, USPSA and Steel Challenge collectively paid $27,000 to the Club for maintenance and enhancements on many of the bays on Cowboy Hill. That emptied the USPSA Club account, and I started fresh with big shoes to fill left by Mr. Randy Gamble. Challenge accepted.
The Board, thinking we had a stockpile of money, changed the payment structure by which they collect fees. Previously, we paid them "$5 per every non-member that registered". Once I started, they changed it to "Everything you have" (minus a Board-approved reserve amount and Operating Expenses). This was an obvious attempt at a cash grab that would have been a welcomed conversation in the spirit of compromise, but that's not how it happened.
After that, I was forced to fight to keep our match and setup day unchanged after more than 12 years. After gathering extensive data, I presented a 17-page presentation and a petition signed by many of our members who participate in USPSA shooting. The data showed that more MEMBERS are on the bays when the stages are set up than when they aren't. The financial results and exposure to potential new members were undeniable, and we won. But did we?
Election time came and went, and a new Club President (Michael Hall) was in place of Mr. Owensby. Michael initially came out in support of our venue at the club, which I appreciated. Whether people in his ear have clouded his decisions or if I had him pegged wrong is unclear.
The Board voted to let me run The Peach earlier this year in exchange for a payment of $3k. Thanks to the efforts of many, it was a huge success. FOLLOWING the match, Mr. Hall texted me that he expected 10k-12k, or he would not be able to get the board to approve having it in 2026.
However, the Peach is on our usual weekend, as is the setup. The only difference is that the bays are closed and that is out of our usual routine. So, I needed to put it on the Match Calendar for review and deconfliction with other matches. After all, that's what all of the other large matches do. So I did that. Surprise, they changed the policy to require approval from the newly formed "Match Oversight Committee", followed by approval from the Board for any match with expected gross revenue over $5k. I was chosen to be on that committee.
At our first (and only) meeting, I was shocked that no other matches were represented. It seemed to be only about The Peach, although they said that The Peach was a priority and that IDPA was receiving a similar lease agreement. I agreed at that time to give River Bend twice what I gave them last year.
Last week, I received that agreement. I had asked to have the additional bathroom / portolet cleaning added, as well as the internet that was committed to months ago. The bathrooms and portolets were not cleaned at all at the last match due to an apparent miscommunication, and it was important to me that we react to the feedback we received. The lease sent for signature didn't include any of that, so I reminded them. The response was that they don't negotiate with venues operating at the Club and that this document wasn't a lease, despite the document title saying "Lease". Not only did IDPA never receive a lease or a proposal for one, but they were also advised that their match is on the calendar. I point this out not because I want Ed and his crew to deal with the same thing, but to illustrate the inequities in the Board's targeting and coercion clearly aimed at USPSA.
Then, today, they "USPSA Oversight Committee", as it should be called, sends out a draft to be approved by the committee and then by the Board which states that any purchase that isn't targets, pasters, or paint must be approved by the River Bend CRO. That is, approved by an individual who has never shot our match, or has direct knowledge of what is involved or needed. An individual who reports to a Board with an axe to grind. After being approved by the Board as an Assistant Range Officer for River Bend and trusted to be a good steward of club finances and facilities, can I not be trusted to run a great match and make good decisions with all stakeholders in mind?
This draft also came with a documented disciplinary procedure for non-compliance, a thinly veiled threat.
In response to the consistent targeting, bullying, coercion, failed attempt to extort, lies, deceit, and the vindictive and unjustified attacks, I cannot in good conscience allow it to continue. As a result, I will be stepping down as Match Director at River Bend and, consequently, canceling The Peach.
The River Bend Board does not truly understand (or believe) that we have as many members shooting our match as we do, and has historically used "member complaints" as a vague reason for their opposition, which is never substantiated.
I encourage any MEMBER who has an opinion, one way or the other, to let their voices be heard. You may reach the Club President, Michael Hall, at [email protected].
I cannot stress enough how much I appreciate all of you for your support and all of the volunteers who have worked to make this match one of the most highly regarded in Area 6.
Regretfully,
Scott Hauswirth
