MacWilliams Responds
| First off, Blogger seems to have fixed whatever bug existed in the comments feature. I only ask that people post responsibly and generally behave themselves. Secondly, last night I received an email response from Jon MacWilliams: Marc, I'm not sure why you are intent on slamming me constantly. I have made some mistakes but nothing criminal, you posted last night that I didn't return calls and I have since called you twice with no response from you.To address his points: At no time have I called Jon a criminal. He says the money, by most accounts approximately $150k, ran out. Of course, the next question becomes: How? If there is indeed a league audit, I suspect it is going to say "yup, Jon blew threw all the money." That's, of course, assuming a league that doesn't announce that Idaho folded and that has a publicist who can't explain why Lafayette is not appearing at the showcase in Utah say anything at all. The only thing I have said directly about Jon is that he appears to be the sole proprietor of the franchise. This has been backed by numerous reports and by the fact the poker group seems unwilling to give him another marker. The lack of commentary by the poker group (here's an example by Daniel Negreanu) in the wake of the positive news about moving to Topeka was rather revealing. Has MacWilliams attempted to call me twice? Yes. The first time was Sunday night around 11:30 PM (five or six hours after the initial call to Jon), second was Monday afternoon. Both times my ringer was off as I was either in bed or a meeting. This entire semester has been a busy one for me, with lots of 12 hour days like the one I had yesterday (Jon, that's why I never took you up on your offer to fly me out to Tucson for a weekend, remember?), and my ringer will continue to be turned off. In the meantime, feel free to use the comments feature to tell your side of the story. Labels: WSHL |
posted by Marc Foster at 12/05/2006 06:50:00 AM
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post a commentTime finally caught up with the "Tony Montana of Tucson". Its a shame that the uberego ruined the careers of those kids.
What a looooooooooser this guy is! Is it true he went to jail earlier in the year?
Domestic violence.."Say gonight to the bad guy". Not to mention the INS troubles.
I don't know what happened in Tucson, and I couldn't pick Jon MacWilliams out of a line up (no pun intended). I do know that many of the players affected were involved in the Ft. Worth ownership fiasco of last season. It would be a wonder if any of them ever want to see or meet another hockey team owner after this!
Surely Jon knew he was out of money by the 1st of November and we just joined the team November 2nd. When asked to pay 5,000.00 and 1500.00 for the Apts. he must have known there would be no team for our son to skate on by the end of the month. So Jon, where is the money? My son played 4 games. Let me see; Wow that is about 1,625.00 a game. You knew then these kids would not have a team and yet buisness as usual. So where did our money go? We left the team before it folded and we are suppose to get a refund, so where is it? If you did not do anything undermined, Where is all the money and why didn't you keep everyone notified as to the situation the team was in. Were you going to Topeka to get money from them to pay for this team? Then next year what would have happened? Please! You have turned the lives of so many kids, Parents, and Coaches inside out. What goes around comes around. Merry Christmas.
Don't shoot the messanger Jon!!!!!!
You weren't returning calls from last Wednesday to the players, parents or Jeremy. You are the rat here....boys paid YOU money each month for apartment rent (you only paid the September rent) what did you do with October and November rent? Where were you when the eviction notices were put on the players and Jeremys apartment doors on Wednesday......no where to be found. Bounced check for the ice, boys got kicked out of gym because you haven't paid Golds (players didn't know that until they were kicked out on Friday). You only paid a month and a half of bills (half of August and September) but you were off in Topeka trying to sell the team for next year. Robbing Peter to pay Paul. Do the math here?
You promoted this team to players and parents as having deep pockets because of the backing of the WORLD POKER TOUR PLAYERS, when reality is they only put up money for franchise fee and league fee. They haven't signed any contract they aren't obligated in any way.
Jon, instead of being worked up over what is being said on the blog or that two phone calls haven't been returned have you yet been concerned that Jeremy has no place to live and his name is ruined, or that 25 players are without a team that was ranked 2nd in the nation. Go back and read the player bio's and tell how many set GOALS for Nationals this year. Be proud that you ruined that because of greed, POOR business skills, lying and deceit.
Here is a suggestion.....slide on down to Mexico to a warm beach, you should have plenty of cash for a while, or back to Canada, Tim Best and the Mrs. can probably fix you up with a place to live. You guys have a lot you could talk about.
I have heard a couple of people comment on Jon coming to Topeka to get money from up here (maybe to pay for the team in Tucson?). That is not the situation in Topeka. There was no money to be gotten here (except maybe from the Casino). Jon was in Topeka to sign a contract with the Expocentre for next year. He was committing the team to spend money in Topeka next year, not getting any kind of cash advances or money of any sort from anyone in Topeka. Just trying to clear up that apparent misunderstanding.
Not the story he was telling in Tucson!!!!!!!!!
And just the hell would Tim Best have toi do with this?
Is that you Tim??????? This mess is just like last year except the investors DID help for a while. Tim Best would lie straight to your face that everything was okay....Jon just didn't say anything until there was nothing.
Is that you Tim??????? This mess is just like last year except the investors DID help for a while. Tim Best would lie straight to your face that everything was okay....Jon just didn't say anything until there was nothing.
I think Jon was looking at the possibility of setting up in Topeka now. Getting the season ticket train rollin' and filling in the gaps in Tucson. I am very glad this was not the case. Also believe that Jon had everyone (and maybe himself) convinced that the Poker Boys were going to put up some $$$, with Topeka offering the return on investment.
This entire thing stinks, but I am confident that the greater good will always overcome a cheat.
I agree, there is no need to mention or bring Tim's name into this situation. That was last year and in Texas. This is this year and in Arizona, or Kansas, or … well someplace!
The true question is where is the WSHL? They are performing an audit? Well now there is a fox looking into the hen house situation if I have ever seen one. First who is going to audit the WSHL? Once this so called "audit" is done, do not expect any sort of answer or explanation. The two main working business words of the WSHL are "no" and "lack" of information. It has been that way for years, not going to change now because a few teams are folding that’s for sure.
If all of the players paid their fees, Tucson wouldn't be in this mess. Apparently there will be a list posted, who paid what and when. I'd sure like to see that. And what is this I hear out of the TX area that one of the players left last week due to some happenings at the apartments. Shall we speculate.....
I don't know what the situation was or is in Topeka but Topeka might very well be the lucky people here. If Topeka should do buisness with Jon, They will be on this site next year saying the same thing we are. The WSHL and USA hockey have not handled things very well at all. With the things that happened last year, they should have protected themselves and the players,coaches etc.. better than they have this year. Didn't anyone learn anything from what happened last year? Here we are again. I guess I wasn't very smart either.
The WSHL is a terrible joke, the kind where the punchline just falls flat. It's time for USA Hockey to get involved. This league is way out of control, and needs to either be run professionally, or have its USA Hockey sanctioning revoked.
abjdnxvAs far as speculating as to why a player left early and what happened at the Apts, that has nothing to do with the dialog here. Keep to the subject.
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Jon, I think you should stick to the subject and quit trying to stir the pot. What's the matter, can't figure out how to get yourself out of this situation so you try to trash a kid? Boy, you are really a low class character.
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I just received a call to read this blog and although you are wrong that I posted anything to this point, I will agree with you that the kids should be left out of it. I have no problem attaching my name to my comments unlike most of you. I am sick to my stomach with what has gone on here and feel horrible for all the kids.
Jon, I believe you when you say that you haven't posted on this blog until now. Here's the big question: Are you folding the team, or trying to salvage it? Honest question, with no accusation attached. Do the poker players want their name attached to a failed enterprise when the very easily could afford to finance the balance of the season? What is your plan?
All I've been doing is trying to find a solution to salvage the team. When Jeremy resigned Sunday Night and half the players left, I'm not sure how. I have tried to solve this and am horrified it has come to this. I just really wish people would let it play out and hear all of the facts.
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QUIT HOLDING HIS HAND, WHERE IS THE MONEY??????????
hes a 4th liner at best
I'm starting to wish Blogger hadn't fixed the comments bug. Folks, if the rhetoric isn't toned down I'm going to suspend the comments.
Make people sign their name Marc, you will find there won't be all of this.
Jon, I understand losing Jeremy was a crushing blow. Surely you can't blame him. He's been working without pay, and a guy can only do that for so long. Letting it "play out" as you suggest is not really a viable option. There are games scheduled, and kids with lives hanging in the balance. If you're going to salvage the season, you must act swiftly and decisively. Letting it "play out" is undeniably the "death knell" of the franchise. And if that is the unavoidable fate, then announce it now and let the league do what it must do to proceed.
Another thought, Jon. Why are you holding everyone hostage when it comes to telling "the facts"? If the "facts" exonerate you, then why not come out with them? Your silence and failure to address the issues is the clearly the most damning act you've committed. Everyone wants to hear what you have to say, when are you going to say it, and will it be here or on your team website?
Jon,
I think your attitude of letting "everything play out" is what has led to this situation. You needed to be up front with the players and parents much sooner. You still haven't been up front about anything. You should have been in Tucson taking care of your business here instead of in Topeka working the next "deal".
JON,
BE A MAN, RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW.
SPILL IT, TELL THE FACTS. YOUR SILENCE SCREAMS COVER UP AND GUILT.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE 150K???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
There is an investigation tomorrow and I've been instructed to remain silent until then. I can tell you I haven't taken ANY of the team's money and am confused as to why all these accusations have been made. Every bit of money has and will be accounted for, we simply didn't receive a large sponsorship amount that was negotiated and didn't collect enough players fees and rent fees.
i know the truth. i can't wait for the league guys to get here. when that happens it won't matter how much bs jon puts up here. in the meantime i think you folks are wasting your energy complaining in this forum, it won't help solve the problem and it's pissing off the moderator, who will probably have to shut this down. i suggest you put your heads together and determine how to get the cops involved---it looks to me like someone stole from you...
http://www.tucsonice.com/ti_pr_02.html
I'd really like to see where all the money went in such a short amount of time. We paid for our son what the team asked, paid the apartment dues. And as of today your bank account is at zero, I tried to cash one of your ck's today. There has been no funds in your teams account for the last 2 months since you wrote us the NSF check.
Anon, don't get too excited about the posting on tucsonice.com. This group is famous for big announcements which never come to pass...icecat purchase, tucson Ice, Powerade Iceport...the list goes on and on. Also, ask around the rink about all the outstanding debt from when they ran the rink in Tucson. Ask Dennis Craft (refrigeration guy) how much he is owed. Ask Bill Berry with Hockey Haven how mush he is owed. There is hope for ice in Tucson, but it will not come from Group Ice.
Unreal!
To those interested,
I just had a very interesting phone call with Mr. Ron White. For those of you that don't know, Ron is the commissionaire of the league. Ron confirmed that over $150,000 was in the Tilt's account early in the year but was recklessly spent. With that confirmed, I had to ask Mr.White what the other teams budgets are to successfully operate throughout the year? He confirmed and I quote, “An average annual budget for a Junior B team in the WSHL is $150,000”. With over $150,000 spent, you have to question why the Tilt is out of money only 4 months into the season.
Lets not kid ourselves. For the people that know Jon, we all know the truth on where he spent the money. All I can say right now is that my nose is sniffling and my groin is burning wondering where that money has gone!! Mr.Mcwilliams, are you going out tonight? Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night....it appears to be a blizzard at Jon’s house in Tucson. (BOYS – PLUG YOUR EARS) To top it off, he has a 10 cute little asian Elves riding his sleigh.
All I can say is that despite the situation, I'm very happy my son is no longer associated in any way to this "boy" named Jon McWilliams.
I was a player for the Tucson Tilt and I knew that the team was in trouble from the beginning. Money was spent like there was no tomorrow and there is no surprise that the bank account ran dry. Rumors say that Jon has a gambling and cocaine problem, so that might be a factor for some of the money. Not many people no this, but Golds Gym told us at the end of September that we owed them $2000 for our memberships which probably never got paid. Eviction notices were also posted at the beginning of October on all four doors of the apartments that were under Jon's name. Jon obviously sweet talked his way out of paying that so he could have time to finish off the money entirely. Jon McWilliams is a scum bag and no one should ever trust him again. He is a criminal for stealing money from so many helpless families and I hope he gets what he deserves.
To jimboden (player) You sound like a great kid with a head on his shoulders. Good luck to you and I hope that you will end up playing for a great team for the remainder of the season. As a parent of one of the players who lost funds, thank you for your concern. I will keep my fingers crossed for you and every team member that good things will happen to you for the future.
This is Robin(Jons Daughter)You guys are losers slamming someone on the internet! You are probably just jelous of what he has! So why dont you take my advise and shut the hell up!
Jon MacWilliams left a bunch of kids in Calgary, Alberta high and dry this past August 2011. He took $600.00 per kid for a hockey camp that he was supposed to have organized at WinSport Canada and he was a no show! Parents tried to get a hold of him prior to the camp(s) for confirmation and those parents he responded to believed he was on his way. He told one dad, who was able to get ahold of him, that he was in the Toronto airport trying to get a flight standby to Calgary because he had missed his flight! Turned out it was a lie and that he had NO intention of showing up for the camp(s). Every parent who had registered and had paid $600 for each of their player(s) has tried to contact him AND has tried to get their money back. He hasn't or won't respond. He owes over $10,000.00. Parents haven't given up trying to get their money back. This guy CANNOT be trusted!
still trying to get the money back no more reponses from Jon..... it now Oct 3 2011.
Jon MacWilliams is a good man....
Get over it, find someone else to attack.
He is a good friend and mentor.
Best Hockey mind I have ever met. He doesnt have a mean bone is body.
If he such a good friend and mentor why does he start a hockey program takes the money and does not show up to mentor young hockey players. Then he takes the money and does not pay it back. we are still waiting for our money over 10,000 dollars since this pass summer...He has you fooled being a good friend and mentor...
still waiting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
still waiting
Still waiting. I, for one, would like my money back with interest! I will also never forget what he did to my son...
I too am still waiting to get my money back, and I too would also like my money back with interest! I will never forgive him for what he did to my son, and my son's friends. Many of the parents who signed their son(s) up for the August 2011 camp, considered Jon a friend at that time. He is no longer a friend to any of us and has nothing but vulgar audacity to believe he has done nothing wrong.
Paid in full after all this time March 2015