IDES CLUB SPONSOR'S PETITION REVOKED

& H.H.T.J. RESIGNS!!!

Eagle Pass, TX...(RO) - In a stunning announcement, it was reported today that the South Eastern Sudden Death Rib-Off Championships (S.E.S.D.R.O.C.) Board of Directors have revoked the Rib-Off Sponsor's Petition held by the Ides Club in Selma, Alabama.

The Ides Club, which was founded in the early 70's and granted a Sponsor's Petition in 1990, had taken the Rib-Off from a seven-team, invitation only event to having as many as 25 teams in the mid-1990's.  However, over the past few years, participation has dwindled and when only seven teams showed up to compete in this year's contest, H.H.T.J. Bob "Fatback" Green, decided it was time to reconsider allowing the Ides Club to continue as administrator of the event.

"Fatback", who has served as H.H.T.J. for the past 12 years, held an impromptu news conference at the Rib-Site this morning and issued this terse statement...

"I have spent the major portion of my adult life trying to build the Rib-Off into a major event in the world of ribbing, and although I have seen the competition go from two teams to as many as 25 teams several years ago, participation has dropped significantly over the past couple of years, and I cannot bear the thought of seeing the competition dwindle down to nothing.  I take full responsibility for the fact that we only had seven teams show up this year, and for the fact that the Rib-Off has lost its appeal as a world-class event."

"It is obvious that my days as a driving force behind the S.E.S.D.R.O.C. are gone, so for the good of the event, I have decided that the best thing for me to do is to step down and give the powers that be the opportunity to choose a stronger, more dynamic leader to carry the event into the next millennium!   "I have therefore tendered my resignation from the position of "His Honor The Judge" to the Board of Directors and am anxiously waiting to hear from them.  If accepted, my resignation will take effect immediately, so that my successor will have a full year to plan for next years contest."

"I hope the Board will see fit to appoint a fresh, young man to fill my shoes...Someone who will be able to breath new life into the contest and return it to it's exciting heyday of the past."

When asked what he planned to do with his spare time after he retires, Fatback replied, "I just want to spend time with my family and try to make up for all of the lost time that I spent away from them over the past 12 years!"

As for the Ides Club, Fatback explained that since their Sponsor's Petition has been revoked, the Rib-Off will return to it's invitation-only format, administered by whoever is appointed H.H.T.J. and his staff.

Delbert McClinton, Public Relations Director of the S.E.S.D.R.O.C., issued this statement..."H.H.T.J.'s announcement caught the Board of Directors completely by surprise and until we are able to meet and discuss the situation, we won't be  making an official comment!  However, any further developments will be forthcoming as they occur."