Jake Sullivan and All Iowa Attack splitting up

[Legend12]

Here is a letter that parents of kids in the AIA program have received:

Subject: All Iowa Attack to change name to Kingdom Hoops

To Whom It May Concern,

I wanted to inform all of you of some big changes will be taking place with
the All Iowa Attack Basketball Organization beginning on August 1st, 2009.
When I first started the All Iowa Attack basketball organization in 2004 I
was joined by Dickson Jensen who helped to create the vision and direction
of the Attack Basketball organization at that time. We had been working
together for the past five years until rece nt decisions on his part have
caused a drastic shift in the direction of the program and most importantly
the long term goals of the organization.

Dickson decided to sell the gymnasium which he owned in Ames. At this point
in time there were nearly 300 players without a place to call home. During
the sale of the old facility I came across a building in South Ankeny that
set up perfect for the Attack organization and its desire to have a facility
which all of the parents and players can call home and a place where elite
basketball training can take place.

As the move occurred Dickson Jensen became more and more unhappy about the
decision to move to Ankeny and the shift of control that occurred within the
organization. During this entire process I kept him involved and on
numerous occasions asked him to continue to be a part of the organization.

In May of 2009 Dickson informed me that he would be pulling his kids from
the program and as of August 1st I was no longer allowed to use the name All
Iowa Attack since he owned its rights. I felt as though it was not worth
the time or money to fight this as I wanted to be able to keep my focus on
the kids that we have the opportunity to impact each and every day.

Beginning August 1st the current All Iowa Attack program will change its
name to Kingdom Hoops and will begin to use the website
www.kingdomhoops.com. We currently have a website for Kingdom Hoops that
will allow for you to sign up for tryouts and/or the Fall Skills Academy.
Over the course of the next few weeks we will be launching a brand new
Kingdom Hoops website that will display all of the features as the old All
Iowa Attack website. Please know as of August 1st, 2009 I will no longer
be affiliated with Dickson or his All Iowa Attack organization.

I believe God has a reason for all of this no matter how frustrating it has
been. If you could help me let others know of the changes I would really
appreciate it, and please don't forget about the upcoming tryouts and Fall
Skills Academy which is just around the corner.

Thanks,
Jake Sullivan
President of Kingdom Hoops

 

[Jer]

1 - Kingdom Hoops is a bad name - just doesn't click.

2 - That letter was not proof read and doesn't flow well.

3 - I think most people (myself included) would rather see less finger pointing in situations like this as it looks petty.

4 - I know a lot of people that aren't huge fans of Jake Sullivan in his post-ISU time... I can only imagine he's incredibly difficult to work with and partner with.

 

[cykadelic2]

4 - I know a lot of people that aren't huge fans of Jake Sullivan in his post-ISU time... I can only imagine he's incredibly difficult to work with and partner with.

I would imagine Jake's OCD doesn't help matters in his business relationships.

 

[06_CY]

3 - I think most people (myself included) would rather see less finger pointing in situations like this as it looks petty.

This is what I noticed as well...got to love it when it's always the other persons fault.

 

[erikbj]

Here is a letter that parents of kids in the AIA program have received:

Subject: All Iowa Attack to change name to Kingdom Hoops

To Whom It May Concern,

I wanted to inform all of you of some big changes will be taking place with
the All Iowa Attack Basketball Organization beginning on August 1st, 2009.
When I first started the All Iowa Attack basketball organization in 2004 I
was joined by Dickson Jensen who helped to create the vision and direction
of the Attack Basketball organization at that time. We had been working
together for the past five years until rece nt decisions on his part have
caused a drastic shift in the direction of the program and most importantly
the long term goals of the organization.

Dickson decided to sell the gymnasium which he owned in Ames. At this point
in time there were nearly 300 players without a place to call home. During
the sale of the old facility I came across a building in South Ankeny that
set up perfect for the Attack organization and its desire to have a facility
which all of the parents and players can call home and a place where elite
basketball training can take place.

As the move occurred Dickson Jensen became more and more unhappy about the
decision to move to Ankeny and the shift of control that occurred within the
organization. During this entire process I kept him involved and on
numerous occasions asked him to continue to be a part of the organization.

In May of 2009 Dickson informed me that he would be pulling his kids from
the program and as of August 1st I was no longer allowed to use the name All
Iowa Attack since he owned its rights. I felt as though it was not worth
the time or money to fight this as I wanted to be able to keep my focus on
the kids that we have the opportunity to impact each and every day.

Beginning August 1st the current All Iowa Attack program will change its
name to Kingdom Hoops and will begin to use the website
www.kingdomhoops.com. We currently have a website for Kingdom Hoops that
will allow for you to sign up for tryouts and/or the Fall Skills Academy.
Over the course of the next few weeks we will be launching a brand new
Kingdom Hoops website that will display all of the features as the old All
Iowa Attack website. Please know as of August 1st, 2009 I will no longer
be affiliated with Dickson or his All Iowa Attack organization.

I believe God has a reason for all of this no matter how frustrating it has
been. If you could help me let others know of the changes I would really
appreciate it, and please don't forget about the upcoming tryouts and Fall
Skills Academy which is just around the corner.

Thanks,
Jake Sullivan
President of Kingdom Hoops

No wonder McD doesn't get a long with this guy, what a cry baby. I could see a high school age kid write this, but a grown man that is supposed to be leading young men?

 

[ISU_REV]

Jensen has to be one of the most arrogant people I have ever met. I actually started to dislike Jake when he partnered with this scum bag. I now wish Jake all the best.

 

[BryceC]

I don't hold anything against Jake. I may not like everything he does but it's not his job to funnel kids to ISU. If it wasn't working out I'm glad he's changed his situation.

 

[C.John]

3 - I think most people (myself included) would rather see less finger pointing in situations like this as it looks petty.

The finger pointing really stuck out when I read it. Definitely not the proper way to handle it in my opinion.

 

[djcubby]

No wonder Barnes went to play for Howard Pulley. Sounds like there was a lot of drama going on behind the scenes.

 

[cyclonenum1]

I have never had any contact with either of these people but I find it interesting that there are posts that indicate both are possibly difficult to work with.

Add in the fact that this "partnership" was one between a guy with the resources (money/facilities) and a guy with the knowledge (idea/expertise) and you have a recipe for disaster...these sort of partnerships rarely last.

 

[DaddyMac]

Does Dickson Jensen have other dealings with ISU? That name sounds familiar.

As for the letter - I didn't think it was all that much finger pointing. I laid out the prevelant facts, at least from Jake's POV. Perhaps not the best flow. Regardless - this letter wasn't meant for us - I see no need to judge it.

 

[ISUFan22]

Reminds me of a letter wrote years on back on CN, by the former owners, pointing the finger at someone else for their shortcomings. It was pretty cut-throat, far worse than this.

Sometimes taking the high road, as hard as it may be, is much better. It's one thing to do it privately or to a small group of friends. It's another entirely to do it in such a public manner. Neither party comes out looking good.

 

[HOTDON]

1 - Kingdom Hoops is a bad name - just doesn't click.

I'll say it, it sounds like a cult.

 

[DrewCo]

There are a lot better options than Kingdom Hoops..

 

[dosry5]

There are a lot better options than Kingdom Hoops..

such as?

 

[DrewCo]

such as?

Give me some time. Your putting me on the spot here..

 

[cytech]

Does Dickson Jensen have other dealings with ISU? That name sounds familiar.

As for the letter - I didn't think it was all that much finger pointing. I laid out the prevelant facts, at least from Jake's POV. Perhaps not the best flow. Regardless - this letter wasn't meant for us - I see no need to judge it.

If I am not mistaken he is the person who built the practice facility for ISU and donated the land.

 

[1100011CS]

Does Dickson Jensen have other dealings with ISU? That name sounds familiar.

As for the letter - I didn't think it was all that much finger pointing. I laid out the prevelant facts, at least from Jake's POV. Perhaps not the best flow. Regardless - this letter wasn't meant for us - I see no need to judge it.

Dickson donated the land the new practice facility is being built on. He also owns the Harvester and is a huge developer in the Ames area.

 

[ICCYFAN]

I have never had any contact with either of these people but I find it interesting that there are posts that indicate both are possibly difficult to work with.

Many years ago, I met DJ on an issue regarding development of the Harvester GC. He struck me as one who was used to doing things his way, not necessarily arrogant but also not concerned with the confines of a written contract! I've come to believe that's how "driver-type" personalities get things accomplished.

 

[4VR4CY]

Best of luck to Jake and the kids.