John Duesler is marketing director for the Professional Disc Golf Association

One of our readers has alerted me to an interesting debate related to The Valley Club story. Over at the Professional Disc Golf Association there’s an internal debate on its online forum over whether John Duesler is fit to be its national marketing and communications director.

If you need a refresher on who John Duesler is, check out this TV interview from 6ABC.

Duesler has two jobs. One as president of The Valley Club swimming pool in Huntingdon Park, PA. and as top PR man for the PDGA.

One of its members whose username is Vegan Ray kicked off the discussion last week on Friday, July 10. That’s one day after allegations of racial discrimination by the swimming pool club were reported in the news.

Vegan Ray:

As an organization struggling with racial (not to mention gender) diversity, the PDGA might want to reassess their marketing personnel & strategy if its Marketing Director is saying such foolish things in the press:

As you might expect, members of the association are concerned about whether Duesler is being accurately depicted by the news media and whether this controversy could taint their fund raising efforts.

These are all valid concerns since none of the allegations related to the swimming pool involve the PDGA. The forum is open to the public and can be read by anyone. Here’s some interesting comments that so far have been posted.

Brian J. Graham, PDGA Executive Director:

It is unfortunate that the media has taken one ill advised word from his statement and run with it attempting to paint him as a racist. John Duesler is a man with impeccable character who deplores racism and it is criminal what is being done to him.

SarahD

When you get to know the guy, it becomes hard to believe that what he was quoted as saying is was what he meant. It is easy to believe this is nothing more than inflammatory media sensationalism.
However, we need him to get us money from outside sponsors. It’s why we put him in that position. It is unfortunate that the people responsible for alloting sponsorship $$ at Nike or Gatorade or Wii cannot publicly afford to be as magnanamous or forgiving as the disc golf community can. I think the bottom line is that right now Dr. D is political poison

discette:

Does anybody know where the rest of the quote went? Quote - “There was concern that a lot of kids would change the complexion … and the atmosphere of the club,” What else did John have to say that was omitted from this quote? It looks like they took the word “complexion” out of context to make it appear that he was referring to the complexion of the campers. I could be wrong, but it looks like Duessler could be the victim of a news reporter sensationalizing a relatively innocent statement.

DSproAVIAR:

It strikes me as odd that 2 different excuses/reasons for kicking the campers out were given at different times. That does not sit well with me.
First, “There was a concern…”
Now, “…we underestimated the capacity…”
Brian Graham, what steps will the PDGA be taking to ensure that it is distanced from any allegations of racist views within its administration?

discglfr:

As recent as this past April I had the pleasure of staying with him and his family and it couldn’t have been any more pleasant. In fact, I had to cut my visit somewhat short because he was heading out to lead an Obama rally.
Simply put - the literal meaning of the word “complexion” has created this ridiculous story and I couldn’t be any more saddened by the pathetic people that want to attack this truly amazing man.

jlvd

How many of you remember the name Richard Jewell? The Atlanta Olympics security officer who was immediately publicly suspected of setting off a bomb in the park; only LATER to be found completely innocent and considered a hero for saving lives at the park. For some reason, this story kind of parallels what we have here to me. Don’t jump to conclusions and don’t over react so quickly.
If this is still national news in a month, I would be shocked. This will NOT affect his job with the PDGA.

Vegan Ray:

For the purpose of this discussion, I don’t care whether Dr. Duesler is a good guy, or a racist, or a stark raving maniac with 100 dead kittens hanging in his garage. What I do care about is his ability to effectively perform the job for which we have hired him. Now can anyone say with a straight face that he can do so as effectively today, with this cloud hanging over his head, as he could last week? If you can, you’re either delusional or an excellent fabricator. Even if you are delusional & really believe that, do you want someone who is cavalier enough with his words to spark congressional, state legislative, & NAACP probes being the “Director of Marketing & Communications” speaking for the PDGA, the sport, & you?

janttila:

This is truley very sad. I don’t know Dr. Duesler and I’m sure he is a upstanding good person. But this is what occured in my office: My co-worker (non-discgolfer) just stopped by cubicle and brought up the story…..
….that is not good.
This gentleman is not going to get a break on this issue as sad as it is. It was published and now it is going to stand for the truth. So VERY SAD:-(