For years George Alexander served as the Circuit Governor of the Central Circuit of the United States Polo Association as we watched the level of play slowly erode and important club after important club shut down.
He managed to place himself on committee after committee with no positive discernable results as polo attempted to move forward. He was the chairman of the Arena Polo Committee as we watched its importance erode, and maintained his position as Chairman of the Communications/Publications Committee as the Association continued to subsidize both Polo Magazine and Sidelines to the tune of nearly $200,000 a year.
His impact was finally noticed on the Constitution Committee as he managed to engineer changes that seemed to reinforce the “status quo” of the chain of leadership, and his tenure on the Rules Committee seem to have resulted in us seeing more rule changes during his tenure than there had been in the previous 100 years! Yes, it seems it was George Alexander who might have engineered the game time as chukkers were maneuvered from 7 minutes and 30 seconds back to 7 minutes to 5 minutes and 30 seconds and back to 7 minutes and 30 seconds. This man has too much time on his hands!
Often referred to as “the most negative man in polo”, George Alexander served as the interim Executive Director of the USPA in 1995 before taking the position permanently. When speaking with an applicant for the job (a fact that George seemed unaware of) he was asked how the search was going for a new Executive Director. He responded that it appeared that he was the only person qualified for the job. He stayed in the position for five years, a period that saw the membership of the USPA fall 18%.
His current position as the chairman and ONLY member of the Constitution Committee is unfathomable. How the Association can allow for there to be a single omnipotent member of the Constitution Committee is unthinkable-yet there he sits.
When approached about some concerns Western players had over issues Alexander remarked (while Executive Director) “F#%* ‘em, who needs them anyhow.” This was the Executive Director of the USPA arrogantly dismissing 50% of the Association’s membership!
If that isn’t troubling enough, he has been inserted in the position of Secretary-Treasurer of the Association, or “in line” to the Chairmanship.
This foolishness has to end somewhere, and allowing other members of the Association to step into potential leadership roles is important. I don’t see where George has done anything to train those in his wake. It appears that he is more concerned with orchestrating the actions of the Association, not preparing anyone to take his place when and if he ever leaves.
This is only your Association if you take positive actions, and I believe that this is an important step to take. Your thoughts?
