Official Statement from the World Axe Throwing League (WATL)
Effective November 22nd 2024, Kyle Rickenbaugh is no longer serving as President of the WATL Council. This decision reflects our commitment to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, trust, and accountability for those in leadership roles within our community. While some, but not all, previous committee member changes have been announced to the public, given the sensitive nature of some departures WATL has not always announced members of Council leaving. This is meant to give the departing member some privacy and the option to announce their departure if they would like to do so.
The incident that led to this decision involved actions that were inconsistent with the responsibilities and expectations of council members. During a recent event, Mr. Rickenbaugh chose to publicly escalate a sensitive situation via social media rather than address the matter through the appropriate channels, such as directly communicating with the Commissioner, as he had successfully done in the past. His decision to publicly call for apologies, despite WATL leadership actively working to resolve the matter, did not align with the responsibilities expected of council members.
WATL leadership, including Commissioner Sarah Sed and Founder Mario Zelaya, personally engaged with all parties involved, including the individual referenced in Mr. Rickenbaugh’s post, to provide clarity, transparency, and understanding. These discussions were constructive and resulted in a mutual understanding of the events and decisions that transpired.
As a member of the Council, Mr. Rickenbaugh was expected to act with care, diligence, and a steady hand, qualities essential for maintaining the trust of the WATL community. He acknowledged that his actions were taken “in a moment of anger,” which WATL views as inconsistent with the council’s leadership standards. Leaders in our organization are expected to prioritize de-escalation, professionalism, and collaboration, particularly in challenging situations.
The WATL Council is an esteemed group of individuals entrusted with safeguarding the integrity of our league, fostering community, and ensuring that all members feel valued and respected. Moving forward, we will continue to set and maintain a high standard for all council members, reflecting the values of our league and the expectations of our growing community of throwers.
We thank Mr. Rickenbaugh for his contributions to WATL during his tenure and wish him the best in his future endeavors.
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