We are disappointed to have to delay the entry of MWC into the eastern sector until 2004. After a number of format discussions and unanswered questions regarding the marketplace and economy in the east, we have decided to take 2003 as a time for more brainstorming with our sponsors and more communication with the anglers.

We definitely hope to have all the plans organized in the summer of 2003 so that we can announce a firm schedule that everyone can work with for 2004.

My apologies for those anglers that were excited about this growth in the east. I have spoken with Jim Decker with the Warren County Chamber of Commerce and Dave Show of the Western Pennsylvania Anglers -- and they are both disappointed but willing to work together throughout '03 to plan for a solid expansion in '04.

One issue that surfaced -- which I would like some discussion on -- was the critique that the way we had formatted MWC-East to "stand alone" didn't integrate it with the existing MWC in any way.

We have every desire to bring MWC team-format tournaments into the New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania areas in the future. And we ask for patience from the mid-atlantic states anglers as we work through important format questions.