It was a busy and hopefully momentous week in Colorado Springs.  As I head home tonight, our U17 National Team candidates have two more practices - tonight and in the morning - before they'll find out which lucky 28 players (14 boys, 14 girls) are headed to Dormagen, Germany in September for USA Team Handball's first international foray at this age group.  Kudos to Mariusz Wartalowicz for assembling a great camp with some eye-opening players; to Dan Bush who doubled as camp organizer and athletic trainer; to coaches Kathy Rex, Greg Morava, Mika Maunula, Marko Brezic and Anca Stephens for putting "our kids" through a grueling but fun week.  Look for roster announcements early next week.  Special guests at training included USOC interim CEO Stephanie Streeter, as well as John Crawley, Wes Barnett and other key USOC staff.  Everyone was unanimous that it was great to see handball back in the Springs.

Chairman Dieter Esch, board member Brad Krassner, Wartalowicz and I pitched USOC for $810,000 in funding today.  I'm hopeful our 90-minute presentation highlighting  many of the past year's accomplishments, plus bold - REALLY BOLD - plans for the next year, made them realize that handball is not only alive and well, but thriving and destined to become the American success story we all dream of.  More on the content of our presentation and our 2009-10 plans in the coming days.  

Gotta catch the plane.  Have a great weekend everyone!