[Below is a copy of guestbook entries sent by UF Karate Sports Club Leader Christian Sterian in the USA Karate Federation's website--his first message is similar, if not identicle to the email he sent to an undisclosed number of recipients during the 1st ballot of the Spring 2000 election. A formal complaint was filed by Lane & his FSP party and the Elections Commission rashly decided to thrown out the entire election. That decision was immediately, and unanimously overruled by the Board of Masters on grounds it was personal and did not give just cause to throw out an entire election, so the original election results were indeed confirmed.
A quick review of the allegations against Lane were mixed. The website from which information was gained was http://www.usankf.org/events/results.html . The Alligator had two articles on Lane quoting his remarks about past medals on August, 6 1998 & March, 28 2000.
Lane indeed won a Silver Medal at Kata in 1999 (Men's Advanced--Open). Kata is Japanese for 'Forms', or choreographed martial arts movements. Kumite the use of "distancing, timing, and effectiveness of punches, kicks, and blocks in a safe setting". Lane did not appear to be on the finalists list at all for the 1998 or 1997 tournaments, however.
It is impossible to make any conclusion as to which set
of allegations is correct. It is unlikely Ian Lane would brag about
make-believe medals when it is very easy to prove it wrong, but of course
anything is possible. Allegations go forth and back from the SG Treasurer's
office (no matter who holds it) all the time because of typical human greed
on both sides about money.
| Sterian ALLEGATION | ANSWER |
| Ian Lane didn't win a silver in the 1999 championships | Lane did in Kata (Men's Advanced--Open). Sterian corrected himself and later recanted this allegation. |
| Lane didn't win 5 pre-1999 medals like he claimed to the Alligator | Lane isn't listed in the finalists for 1998 or 1997, however he won his first medal when he was 11 years old, meaning results from the 1980's would have be searched. Data only goes back on the internet to 1994, and several of the years are incomplete. |
| Lane used the Treasurers office to punish the UF karate club for not supporting his Martial Arts career | At this point, unprovable |
FROM: http://www.usankf.org/
* * *
Name: Christian Sterian
Website:
Referred by: Just Surfed On In
From:
Time: 2000-03-30 17:30:05
. . .A lot of us
who study martial arts on and off campus have been affected
by Lane's behavior over the past three years. . .
[THE COMPLETE ENTRY MAY BE SEEN AT http://www.usankf.org/ Click on "View our Guestbook"]
Sincerely,
Christian Sterian
Head Instructor
University of Florida
Name: Christian Sterian
Website:
Referred by: Just Surfed On In
From:
Time: 2000-04-04 15:45:09
Comments: I hereby express my apologies to the NKF and FSP
at the University of Florida for misposting a detail
about Lane, the candidate for the FSP Presidency.
Indeed Lane was on the Open Kata Second Place in 1999. That is the
only one detail for which I agree as been misleading due
to my being misinformed; as for the rest I stand by as stated.
Sincerely,
Christian Sterian
Name: Jason Sorgi
Website:
Referred by: Just Surfed On In
From:
Time: 2000-04-05 05:34:07
Comments: I am writing in response to Christian Sterian's
comments about Ian Lane. Mr. Sterian's recent comments
on the USANKF web site, regarding Mr. Lane, is just the latest
example of Mr. Sterian's on going attempts to defame
and destroy Ian Lane's reputation.
I have known and trained with Ian for almost ten years and I am
currently the head
instructor of our karate school here in Gainesville, Florida.
I can state unequivocally that all Mr. Sterian's comments
are all false. When Ian Lane was treasurer of the University
of Florida in 1998 he discovered that student funds
reserved for athletic activities were being used improperly.
Mr. Sterian, who was not even a student of the University of Florida
at the time, was using University funds to send himself to various tournaments
and seminars across the
country. Recognizing this abuse, Ian Lane initiated a formal
audit that was performed by an independent certified
public accountant. Many violations were discovered where
Christian Sterian was at fault. Since these violations were
reported, Christian Sterian has continued a relentless assault
of fabricated personal attacks against Ian. Christian
Sterian has been warned by University officials to cease
his slanderous attacks, but he still continues.
Ian Lane is a
recognized leader at the University of Florida and has earned the
respect of the student body, as well as University and
State Officials. Ian is currently the front runner for President
of the student body, where he would once again oversee
University funds. Christian Sterian is worried that his activities
in the sports clubs will once again come under
scrutiny. If Christian Sterian is not currently misusing
student funds then he should not have anything to worry about. I
consider Ian Lane to be a man of the highest integrity and
I am very proud to call him my friend. He is loved and
respected by all his karate colleagues and students.
I write this in order to set the record straight and encourage Mr.
Sterian to put an end to his vendetta against Ian Lane.
Sincerely,
Jason Sorgi.