| South TX Amateur Boxing Assoc. |
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| President Mark Calo-oy San Antonio Vice President Ralph Davila Corpus Treasure Bill Wells Austin Secretary Suzanne Almendarez San Antonio |
and any other important information our Association may have.
A few major changes occurred last week. One at the National level and another at the local level. Four years ago when Bush won his bid for a 2nd
term our nation/world went into panic mode. Americans IQ's were questioned worldwide for what everyone thought was a "mistake".
Last week when Obama won his bid to become the first African-American in our countries history questions about voting George Bush to his 2nd
term were answered. Many people believed or still believe that Bush, Iraq War and signs of a 2nd Great Depression we're all mistakes. What we
should all realize is that without Bush's 2nd term, there would be no Barak Obama. In order for change to occur Obama needed a struggling
Economy to make Americans realize that CHANGE WAS NEEDED.
Obama doesn't come across as a politician. It's obvious to anyone paying attention that Obama as the "it" factor. He makes you believe that
CHANGE is on it's way with him in Office. The next year should prove to us if this was just an act or something he truly believes in.
Something similar occurred at the local level as well. Ever since Ceasar Cano's health problems began so did the decline of STABA. Once he was
gone we all realized the load Mr. Cano carried for over 20 years. Other officers, Arthur Souza, Linda Martinez, Suzanne Almendarez and Rick
Crocker could not handle the duties ONE man handled for 23 years.
Alice Cano "tried" to fill her husbands shoes by running for President this past weekend. She lost her bid to Mark Calo-oy (a local referee for the
past 10 years). Mark Calo-oy (President), Rafael Davila (Corpus Christi, VP) and Bill Wells (Austin, Treasure) will now take on the challenge of
running an Association that was described one of the most successful in the country under, Ceasar Cano. A few days ago I received a few emails
from coaches/officers questioning some of the things I had said about our current BOD. I've always felt our Association was based more on having
CONTROL rather than focusing more on making decisions that would be good for our association and all of it's members.
This past weekend my feeling were confirmed. Alice Cano was asked before the voting took place why she thought she should be elected
President. Her words were, "I want to run this one last time to help our association have a smooth transition when the next election takes place (12
months from now)". She said her main objective was to have a stable and successful Association for the years to come. To keep children off the
streets through the STABA. With that in mind. Why would she resign and say she wouldnt be available to assist us if she wasn't named President?
Why would the current, VP, Secretary, Chief of Officials, Registration Chairman and JO Chairman resign as well? Pretty simple. If they're not in
complete control they don't want to stick around. It's not about keeping kids off the street or any of the other BS they fed the coaches at the
meeting. It's about control. Why would the local LBC tournament be cancelled the morning of the weigh-ins? They're excuse, "no doctor". I can't
remember when was the last time a show in San Antonio was cancelled due to this reason.
So in the next 12 months we'll find out if Obama and the new BOD for our Association put on a good acting job or actually had CHANGE on their
mind.
Suggestions for our new BOD:
Hold a monthly boxing show once a month financed through our LBC to keep our local boxers and boxing scene active (they currently have over
25,000) sitting in the bank. An investment of 500 to finance such show could easy bring in twice as much.
Assist local clubs with Sanctioning fees. Loan clubs the money to finance a show with the agreement they'd pay it back the day of or day after the
show. What if it's not paid back? Simple, these clubs will no longer be available for this "loan". Randomly pick gyms to help with travel expenses
and fundraising ideas to help boxers compete at open national level tournaments.
Try and draw the same crowd our Local Golden Gloves tournament has to our local LBC Tournament. Many people don't know that our local LBC
tournament is the most important of the year.
Invest in a electronic scoring system. Let's allow our boxers to learn how to use the system at the local level that will be used at national
tournaments.
Spend some money on advertising for boxers, referees, clerks..etc... This would draw more attention to our sport. Boxing usually only makes the
news when negative things happen. Let's change that.
Allow clubs to use the STABA boxing ring free of charge. Store somewhere and make it available to anyone who is willing to pay for the
transportation and have volunteers help set it up.
Make sure our Chief of Officials comes up with ideas to get more volunteers referees/judges. Set-up a booth at each boxing show with information
on how to become a judge/official. Currently the only requirement to become a judge or official is a heartbeat.
There's plenty of ways to erase the black-eye our sport has at the local level. We must elect people to the BOD who are not going to sit on their
ass all year long and wait until the final months of an election to start "helping" better our association.
It's 2am, no spell/grammar check. So if you come across any errors please find a pen and paper and write down these errors with the corrections.
After you've done this.. grab the pen and paper and shove them up your ash tray cause I don't want them.
Nov.1, 2008
Due to the recent decline of the current VP's health, a meeting to vote for the new Board of Directors will take place Nov. 8, 2008 at a site to be
determined by Alice Cano, who is currently playing the role as President/VP. You may contact her at 210-923-0025 for more info or wait to be
notified by the newsletter AFTER the meeting has already taken place. This appears to look like the first time in a VERY long time, the Board of
Directors will be spread all along South TX, not just here San Antonio. We need to ask ourselves, is this a good thing?
This year’s election is a reflection (on a smaller scale of course) of the current United States Presidential race. I don't think it's a coincidence that,
although amateur boxing in San Antonio has been at a stand still for the past 18 months, in the span of 60 days, San Antonio will be hosting more
than a handful of shows. This happens as we lead to this year’s LBC E-Board ELECTION. Coincidence or is it the same type of election politics we
see on National TV with the US Presidential race? Once again, ask yourself to think about this. We all know how difficult it is to put on a show. It's
that much more difficult when it feels like everyone is pulling in a different direction. For some ODD reason, it's been much easier lately... why is
this?
If you think our Association has been run properly with fairness across the board and the line of communication between the current Board of
Directors and ALL of its members are up to par, then no change is needed.
On the other hand: If you feel like your opinion usually falls on deaf ears, then change is needed. If you feel disagreeing with the current Board
puts you on the "no-call-don't-inform-no-communication-they-disagree with US shit list" then CHANGE IS A MUST.
Anyone with any common sense should know that we will NEVER replace Mr. Cano, EVER. We will never again find a man who not only made our
Association one the BEST in the United States (only behind California), but usually played the role as, President, Vice-President, Treasurer,
Secretary, Official, Judge, Timekeeper, etc. Let's be realistic - Mr. Ceasar Cano was one of a kind and will never be replaced.
What our association NEEDS NOW is an open line of communication from its Board of Directors to ALL of its members. We NEED an ACTIVE,
President, VP, Secretary, Treasurer and board as well ALL of members at large.
We must also realize, a view from the "outside" sees OUR sport as barbaric, violent and unsafe. The facts don't lie, boxing is one of the safest
sports for youths in the country. All you have to simply do is research - look at the facts. Sponsors, State Representatives, the Mayor and City
Council, as well as other elected officials usually hesitate to support a sport that is considered "violent".
Due to this, we must educate our members with FACTS - by-laws, rights, and new ideas to improve the overall image of our sport. Many coaches
don't know how easy it is to become tax-exempt. It's not difficult: anyone can do it. Feel free to have a look for yourself at this website:
http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/exempt/exemptfaq.html
In addition, during an Olympic YEAR, it's not fair for our boxers to be notified that our local LBC's are only 10 days away. This is an Olympic
qualifying tournament and boxers wait 4 years to have this opportunity. As we all know, kids dream of having an opportunity to represent our
country in the Olympics. The current line of communication among our Association is disrespectful to all of our boxers and its members. Our
newsletter is sent via traditional US Postal Mail, AKA “snail mail” usually arriving after all meetings and shows have already taken place. Having
one of the top Association's in the country, yet not having a website that informs clubs of changes, shows, emergency meetings or important
meetings such as the one on Nov. 8. (I've offered to run their website FREE of charge) is an embarrassment as well as disheartening. Many of you
will be hearing about this meeting through this site.
This LBC meeting is probably one of the most important meetings any of us will ever attend in our lifetime. We, the members must elect people
who we think will treat our Association with the dignity, respect and honor Mr. Cano did for many years – we not only owe it to our great and historic
sport of Boxing, but most importantly to our hard training Boxers.
A few major changes occurred last week. One at the National level and another at the local level. Four years ago when Bush won his bid for a 2nd
term our nation/world went into panic mode. Americans IQ's were questioned worldwide for what everyone thought was a "mistake".
Last week when Obama won his bid to become the first African-American in our countries history questions about voting George Bush to his 2nd
term were answered. Many people believed or still believe that Bush, Iraq War and signs of a 2nd Great Depression we're all mistakes. What we
should all realize is that without Bush's 2nd term, there would be no Barak Obama. In order for change to occur Obama needed a struggling
Economy to make Americans realize that CHANGE WAS NEEDED.
Obama doesn't come across as a politician. It's obvious to anyone paying attention that Obama as the "it" factor. He makes you believe that
CHANGE is on it's way with him in Office. The next year should prove to us if this was just an act or something he truly believes in.
Something similar occurred at the local level as well. Ever since Ceasar Cano's health problems began so did the decline of STABA. Once he was
gone we all realized the load Mr. Cano carried for over 20 years. Other officers, Arthur Souza, Linda Martinez, Suzanne Almendarez and Rick
Crocker could not handle the duties ONE man handled for 23 years.
Alice Cano "tried" to fill her husbands shoes by running for President this past weekend. She lost her bid to Mark Calo-oy (a local referee for the
past 10 years). Mark Calo-oy (President), Rafael Davila (Corpus Christi, VP) and Bill Wells (Austin, Treasure) will now take on the challenge of
running an Association that was described one of the most successful in the country under, Ceasar Cano. A few days ago I received a few emails
from coaches/officers questioning some of the things I had said about our current BOD. I've always felt our Association was based more on having
CONTROL rather than focusing more on making decisions that would be good for our association and all of it's members.
This past weekend my feeling were confirmed. Alice Cano was asked before the voting took place why she thought she should be elected
President. Her words were, "I want to run this one last time to help our association have a smooth transition when the next election takes place (12
months from now)". She said her main objective was to have a stable and successful Association for the years to come. To keep children off the
streets through the STABA. With that in mind. Why would she resign and say she wouldnt be available to assist us if she wasn't named President?
Why would the current, VP, Secretary, Chief of Officials, Registration Chairman and JO Chairman resign as well? Pretty simple. If they're not in
complete control they don't want to stick around. It's not about keeping kids off the street or any of the other BS they fed the coaches at the
meeting. It's about control. Why would the local LBC tournament be cancelled the morning of the weigh-ins? They're excuse, "no doctor". I can't
remember when was the last time a show in San Antonio was cancelled due to this reason.
So in the next 12 months we'll find out if Obama and the new BOD for our Association put on a good acting job or actually had CHANGE on their
mind.
Suggestions for our new BOD:
Hold a monthly boxing show once a month financed through our LBC to keep our local boxers and boxing scene active (they currently have over
25,000) sitting in the bank. An investment of 500 to finance such show could easy bring in twice as much.
Assist local clubs with Sanctioning fees. Loan clubs the money to finance a show with the agreement they'd pay it back the day of or day after the
show. What if it's not paid back? Simple, these clubs will no longer be available for this "loan". Randomly pick gyms to help with travel expenses
and fundraising ideas to help boxers compete at open national level tournaments.
Try and draw the same crowd our Local Golden Gloves tournament has to our local LBC Tournament. Many people don't know that our local LBC
tournament is the most important of the year.
Invest in a electronic scoring system. Let's allow our boxers to learn how to use the system at the local level that will be used at national
tournaments.
Spend some money on advertising for boxers, referees, clerks..etc... This would draw more attention to our sport. Boxing usually only makes the
news when negative things happen. Let's change that.
Allow clubs to use the STABA boxing ring free of charge. Store somewhere and make it available to anyone who is willing to pay for the
transportation and have volunteers help set it up.
Make sure our Chief of Officials comes up with ideas to get more volunteers referees/judges. Set-up a booth at each boxing show with information
on how to become a judge/official. Currently the only requirement to become a judge or official is a heartbeat.
There's plenty of ways to erase the black-eye our sport has at the local level. We must elect people to the BOD who are not going to sit on their
ass all year long and wait until the final months of an election to start "helping" better our association.
It's 2am, no spell/grammar check. So if you come across any errors please find a pen and paper and write down these errors with the corrections.
After you've done this.. grab the pen and paper and shove them up your ash tray cause I don't want them.
Nov.1, 2008
Due to the recent decline of the current VP's health, a meeting to vote for the new Board of Directors will take place Nov. 8, 2008 at a site to be
determined by Alice Cano, who is currently playing the role as President/VP. You may contact her at 210-923-0025 for more info or wait to be
notified by the newsletter AFTER the meeting has already taken place. This appears to look like the first time in a VERY long time, the Board of
Directors will be spread all along South TX, not just here San Antonio. We need to ask ourselves, is this a good thing?
This year’s election is a reflection (on a smaller scale of course) of the current United States Presidential race. I don't think it's a coincidence that,
although amateur boxing in San Antonio has been at a stand still for the past 18 months, in the span of 60 days, San Antonio will be hosting more
than a handful of shows. This happens as we lead to this year’s LBC E-Board ELECTION. Coincidence or is it the same type of election politics we
see on National TV with the US Presidential race? Once again, ask yourself to think about this. We all know how difficult it is to put on a show. It's
that much more difficult when it feels like everyone is pulling in a different direction. For some ODD reason, it's been much easier lately... why is
this?
If you think our Association has been run properly with fairness across the board and the line of communication between the current Board of
Directors and ALL of its members are up to par, then no change is needed.
On the other hand: If you feel like your opinion usually falls on deaf ears, then change is needed. If you feel disagreeing with the current Board
puts you on the "no-call-don't-inform-no-communication-they-disagree with US shit list" then CHANGE IS A MUST.
Anyone with any common sense should know that we will NEVER replace Mr. Cano, EVER. We will never again find a man who not only made our
Association one the BEST in the United States (only behind California), but usually played the role as, President, Vice-President, Treasurer,
Secretary, Official, Judge, Timekeeper, etc. Let's be realistic - Mr. Ceasar Cano was one of a kind and will never be replaced.
What our association NEEDS NOW is an open line of communication from its Board of Directors to ALL of its members. We NEED an ACTIVE,
President, VP, Secretary, Treasurer and board as well ALL of members at large.
We must also realize, a view from the "outside" sees OUR sport as barbaric, violent and unsafe. The facts don't lie, boxing is one of the safest
sports for youths in the country. All you have to simply do is research - look at the facts. Sponsors, State Representatives, the Mayor and City
Council, as well as other elected officials usually hesitate to support a sport that is considered "violent".
Due to this, we must educate our members with FACTS - by-laws, rights, and new ideas to improve the overall image of our sport. Many coaches
don't know how easy it is to become tax-exempt. It's not difficult: anyone can do it. Feel free to have a look for yourself at this website:
http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/exempt/exemptfaq.html
In addition, during an Olympic YEAR, it's not fair for our boxers to be notified that our local LBC's are only 10 days away. This is an Olympic
qualifying tournament and boxers wait 4 years to have this opportunity. As we all know, kids dream of having an opportunity to represent our
country in the Olympics. The current line of communication among our Association is disrespectful to all of our boxers and its members. Our
newsletter is sent via traditional US Postal Mail, AKA “snail mail” usually arriving after all meetings and shows have already taken place. Having
one of the top Association's in the country, yet not having a website that informs clubs of changes, shows, emergency meetings or important
meetings such as the one on Nov. 8. (I've offered to run their website FREE of charge) is an embarrassment as well as disheartening. Many of you
will be hearing about this meeting through this site.
This LBC meeting is probably one of the most important meetings any of us will ever attend in our lifetime. We, the members must elect people
who we think will treat our Association with the dignity, respect and honor Mr. Cano did for many years – we not only owe it to our great and historic
sport of Boxing, but most importantly to our hard training Boxers.
CORRECTION:
Suzanne Almendarez did NOT resigned from her position as our Association's Secretary. She will continue to serve as Secretary through Dec.
2009. Her resignation was turned in by former president Alice Cano at last month's LBC meeting. Which was against USA Boxing's By-Laws.
Due to a prior personal commitment Almendarez could not attend the meeting and never had any intentions to resign her position.
Suzanne Almendarez did NOT resigned from her position as our Association's Secretary. She will continue to serve as Secretary through Dec.
2009. Her resignation was turned in by former president Alice Cano at last month's LBC meeting. Which was against USA Boxing's By-Laws.
Due to a prior personal commitment Almendarez could not attend the meeting and never had any intentions to resign her position.
(L) Tony Jaramillo was named Outstanding Coach in 1995 after leading all three
sons, Tony, Robert and Bobby to win Regional Golden Gloves titles.
Robert and Bobby were the first brothers to advance to the State Tournament
(1995) in the same year since the Ayala bros. did so back in the 70's.
Jaramillo would go on to produce other GG Regional and National Champions.
Justin & Jonathan Gover, Freddie Juarez, Damian Bush and his older brother
among others.
Tony Jaramillo kept the famous Alamo Boxing Gym (above Coney Island, next to
the Majestic) under the name Eastside Boxing Team operating well into the mid
90's until the building we demolished. He later moved to Eastside Boys & Girls
Club on Martin Luther King Street.
My father would always tell me the story, "You used to sit right there (pointing to a
bench at the Alamo Boxing Gym) before you started walking. I'd workout and you'd
just sit there watching everyone. You wouldn't move!
sons, Tony, Robert and Bobby to win Regional Golden Gloves titles.
Robert and Bobby were the first brothers to advance to the State Tournament
(1995) in the same year since the Ayala bros. did so back in the 70's.
Jaramillo would go on to produce other GG Regional and National Champions.
Justin & Jonathan Gover, Freddie Juarez, Damian Bush and his older brother
among others.
Tony Jaramillo kept the famous Alamo Boxing Gym (above Coney Island, next to
the Majestic) under the name Eastside Boxing Team operating well into the mid
90's until the building we demolished. He later moved to Eastside Boys & Girls
Club on Martin Luther King Street.
My father would always tell me the story, "You used to sit right there (pointing to a
bench at the Alamo Boxing Gym) before you started walking. I'd workout and you'd
just sit there watching everyone. You wouldn't move!
| Tony Jaramillo May 11, 1951 - April 10, 2009 |
up. "Lefty" Saldana allowed you to get up in the ring. He didn't like children to be playing around in the ring."
My first amateur fight was under Tony Jaramillo. I trained for my first amateur fight at his gym. Years later when my career
as an amateur ended I called Tony up and asked him for a favor. I wanted to begin my professional career training in the
first place I did as an amateur, THE Alamo Boxing Gym (Eastside). He handed me the keys to the gym and said, "go for it".
In the early 80's when my father was coaching at Calderon Boys & Girls Club I'd tag along everyday. We didn't have a
vehicle back then so we'd walk to the gym. Back then you had to be 10 years old to compete. As soon as I turned 10 we
moved back to the ALAMO BOXING GYM (Eastside Boxing Team under Tony). That's when I first met Tony. He was running
the Alamo Gym. All of the "old school" coach's had passed on and he had taken over. Two weeks later Bobby, Tony Robert
Jaramillo, Francisco Vasquez (their cousin) the three Figeroa brothers and myself were in the back of the truck freezing our
faces off at 5am driving to Robstown, TX for the Junior Olympic Tournament. We all lost but I learned one thing about Tony.
No matter what the conditions were if his boxers needed to compete he was going to bust his ass to get them there.
That was the case for last years Ringside Tournament. Tony not in the best medical conditions and against his doctors
orders decided to make the drive to Kansas City with the Damian Bush and his older brother. Damian Bush ended up
winning a belt and his brother lost int he finals. On the way back we had to pull over around San Marcos somewhere.
Tony's blood pressure was so low we feared for his life. "I'm ok, I'm ok.. I'll be ok" were his words. Without a worried look on
his face. We all knew he wasn't. The following day I checked on him and he said he was doing fine. He went another year
strong but we all knew he was in bad shape. I saw him at this years Golden Gloves walking a little slower than usual. Then
again at the Eastside Boys Club for a Coach's Clinic. That would be the last time I'd see Tony. He had gained some weight.
Which was unusual for Tony. For the past couple of years we all knew he was working hard to keep "going". He had kept
his weight down with a strict diet. He was looking good. We knew he was fighting. The last time I saw him I noticed how much
weight he had gained. . . . . It wasn't a good feeling. It made me feel as if he had stopped trying or as if the fight had got a
little to difficult. I'll never know the answer to the question. Which is best kept that way. My memory of him will always be a
good one. To me he fought as hard as he could each and every day to continue to move forward. To me, he had a strong
love/passion for the sport of boxing. A type of love for his boxers not known to many. To experience this one had to be
under his tutelage. I'll forever be thankful I was. Not only as a student/boxer but as a friend later on as an adult. He and I
both were able to experience those long drives back from Kansas with those CHAMPIONSHIP BELTS sitting on our dash
board for the world to see. He and I were both very proud of our little warriors. The one thing I never got to tell him was that
I was also proud to have kept him as a friend long after our boxer/coach relationship ended. That I was glad we were both
able to experience this joy as coach's together.
THANK YOU TONY. You will missed, Turnie.
My first amateur fight was under Tony Jaramillo. I trained for my first amateur fight at his gym. Years later when my career
as an amateur ended I called Tony up and asked him for a favor. I wanted to begin my professional career training in the
first place I did as an amateur, THE Alamo Boxing Gym (Eastside). He handed me the keys to the gym and said, "go for it".
In the early 80's when my father was coaching at Calderon Boys & Girls Club I'd tag along everyday. We didn't have a
vehicle back then so we'd walk to the gym. Back then you had to be 10 years old to compete. As soon as I turned 10 we
moved back to the ALAMO BOXING GYM (Eastside Boxing Team under Tony). That's when I first met Tony. He was running
the Alamo Gym. All of the "old school" coach's had passed on and he had taken over. Two weeks later Bobby, Tony Robert
Jaramillo, Francisco Vasquez (their cousin) the three Figeroa brothers and myself were in the back of the truck freezing our
faces off at 5am driving to Robstown, TX for the Junior Olympic Tournament. We all lost but I learned one thing about Tony.
No matter what the conditions were if his boxers needed to compete he was going to bust his ass to get them there.
That was the case for last years Ringside Tournament. Tony not in the best medical conditions and against his doctors
orders decided to make the drive to Kansas City with the Damian Bush and his older brother. Damian Bush ended up
winning a belt and his brother lost int he finals. On the way back we had to pull over around San Marcos somewhere.
Tony's blood pressure was so low we feared for his life. "I'm ok, I'm ok.. I'll be ok" were his words. Without a worried look on
his face. We all knew he wasn't. The following day I checked on him and he said he was doing fine. He went another year
strong but we all knew he was in bad shape. I saw him at this years Golden Gloves walking a little slower than usual. Then
again at the Eastside Boys Club for a Coach's Clinic. That would be the last time I'd see Tony. He had gained some weight.
Which was unusual for Tony. For the past couple of years we all knew he was working hard to keep "going". He had kept
his weight down with a strict diet. He was looking good. We knew he was fighting. The last time I saw him I noticed how much
weight he had gained. . . . . It wasn't a good feeling. It made me feel as if he had stopped trying or as if the fight had got a
little to difficult. I'll never know the answer to the question. Which is best kept that way. My memory of him will always be a
good one. To me he fought as hard as he could each and every day to continue to move forward. To me, he had a strong
love/passion for the sport of boxing. A type of love for his boxers not known to many. To experience this one had to be
under his tutelage. I'll forever be thankful I was. Not only as a student/boxer but as a friend later on as an adult. He and I
both were able to experience those long drives back from Kansas with those CHAMPIONSHIP BELTS sitting on our dash
board for the world to see. He and I were both very proud of our little warriors. The one thing I never got to tell him was that
I was also proud to have kept him as a friend long after our boxer/coach relationship ended. That I was glad we were both
able to experience this joy as coach's together.
THANK YOU TONY. You will missed, Turnie.