Westfahl, I'm not a native Kansan and I don't know what K- State did to wrestling in this state (having moved here about 6 years ago)but I'd be interested to hear about it. As for the Kansas Coliseum(sp?), it is terrible and I do get the feeling that they have a take it or leave it attitude. Their consession prices are extortionary and I'm proud to say I dicn't buy any food from them this year

i go to ksu and wrote a ten page paper on k-state wrestling and they did not turn their back on it....they lost it to title IX like hundreds of other schools.

I don't really care if the tournament stays in Wichita, but I think it's imperative that the three classes stay together. The "current proposal" of having 6a go to a KC high school is, as I have said many times, totally bogus.

Having just competed in the state tournament (I believe that was so kindly stated in another post by Padonkadonk...), I for one can say that it is something I won't soon forget. Just to walk out in front of all those people during the opening ceremonies, and to be among all those great wrestlers (from 4A, 5A, and 6A) was quite a moment. Surely the prestige of the state tournament, and the experience it gives the wrestlers (remember-that's why we have state, for the wrestlers and fans) would be diminished if we were to split everyone up. While a few old coaches may hate the barn, I can assure you that your wrestlers love the atmosphere.

This weekend I saw Luedke and Erisman go at it on the 4A mat, Gardner and Zouzas (sp?) on the 5A mat, and Sequoya Hill, Stewart Bogart, and Zach Hemmerling all win titles on the 6A mat. You're seriously telling me that just because a building has mean security guards and makes you pay $6 for lunch, you'd take away such a memorable experience, being among the best in the state, from your wrestlers? Funny, I thought you guys were in it for the kids.

(And sorry for messing up your name, Westfahl. That wasn't one of the spelling words in the spelling bee I finished 2nd in. Oh geez, I just ended a sentence in a prepositional phrase. Forgive me.)

After spending time at the state tourney in wichita, I would agree with you all about leaving.
I think the Best solution would to move 4-5A to Salina and 6A to a location in KC. I think Salina area would be awesome becuase the area is very supportive of the sport. It would also be comparable distance for the teams from the 4 corners of the state. I will admit this issue does not effect me right now, but I want the best for the sport.

hey just a fan check your dates they cut wrestling a good 20 years before title IX came into existence.

Hey Prant tell coach woody that you misspelled my name and that I am hurt that he didnt teach you guys how to spell it and tell him hi for me he is a great friend of mine.

LOL, Prant. Reminds me of a favorite joke.

A Kansas boy wins a scholarship to Harvard. His first day, he becomes lost, and asks a prof for directions in typical Kansas fashion...

"Pardon me sir, can you tell me where Bayse Hall is at?"

"Young man, I don't know where you are from, but at Harvard we don't end a sentence in a preposition."

"I'm sorry, sir. Can you tell me where Bayse Hall is at...***hole?"

Westfahl, don't mean to be a nitpicker, but Title IX turns 31 this year. It was in 1979 (24 years ago) that the #@%*<~@@! Department of Education decided that the original legislation wasn't quite hateful enough as written, and decided to "interpret" the law.

I agree that KSU "wussed", but perhaps they could just read the hand-writing on the wall. Another "un-funded mandate" from our friends inside the belt-way.

Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, nebraska, Iowa State,
have all managed to retain their wrestling teams and meet title IX requirements. you make choices and for Kstate rowing and Equestrian events were more important to develop than was wrestling. Even when they had a program, there was little money spent on the sport. I know guys that were there, on the team, and I have heard how when money was requested to go to some of the more prestigious tourneys, it was not possible to do so because the budget was limited to running an almost intramural atmosphere. Title IX didn't help, but the way I heard it, From people that were on the team at the time and weren't able to finish out at Kstate as wrestlers, The program ceased to exist when the new coach, an excellent O-State product named Fred Fozzard, wanted a bigger bucget so that the program could have some credibility, and was turned down. Exit coach, end program. This happened, I believe, about 78 or 79, Early enough that the full impact of title 9 wasn't realized. bottom line, it wasn't football.

Regarding having a state tourney at Basehor-Linwood, even just the 4A meet...I seriously doubt it will happen...I have become good friends w/ Joe Keeler and Scott Neil and they run a top-notch Bobcat Classic, perhaps one of the best run tourneys in the state...And the gym is a nice one as well...

But, the powers that be in the B-L School District screwed up big time when decided to save a little money, building the the new gym about 20 feet short on each end...This is exactly why they can't run 3 mats end-to-end...Sure, they can get 4 mats in that gym, made like a square, but that means no one sitting in the north bleachers, essentially cutting in half the number of people you can get in to about 1,400...Even if they go with 3 mats, like they do at state, the mats would be set up in a triangle arrangement, and you still won't be able to pull out the north bleachers...

The KSHSAA has requirements on seating and 1,400 will not cut it...Don't look for any high schools to host a state wrestling meet, single class or otherwise

You hit it on the head Westfahl. Bravo, Bravo, Bravo!!!!!!

I have to agree with Prant again. I'm sure the experience of the opening parade is something these kids will cherish forever. I've been to state tournaments when they were held at a high schools(Topeka, Abilene, Beloit etc etc) and it was not the same atmosphere. As a fan, I enjoy watching all three classes. I only wish we had a place big enough to hold all four classes. I know 123 does not want to move from Hays and I don't blame them. Hays does a great job. As a fan, the only thing better than we have now is for all four to be together.
I never get to be on the floor at the coliseum, so I can't speak as to what it's like down there. I thought the restrooms above were cleaner this year than in the past. I expect high prices for food and drinks, so I wasn't suprised it cost me at least $5 everytime I indulged.
If it was the worst place in the state to have a tournament, but the wrestlers think it's a thrill of a lifetime, we should keep it. This weekend is not about comfort of fans, it is about kids.
Westfahl, you're right not KSU!!!!!!!!

As I read the post concerning the Wichita tournament, I see a lot of people trashing the building. I have been on the floor of the state tournament for many years, and I still feel excited every time those 600+ wrestlers enter the arena, and listen to the National Anthem. This event with the 9 mats going at the same time is one of the greatest thrills for the wrestlers, and one they will remember for a long time.

Wichita has the infrastructure, the building, parking, motels, eating establishments and entertainment to handle 600 wrestlers, coaches, parents, grandparents, and 7000 fans. Where else would you have 1500 motel rooms available for the 3day weekend?

Now, the local schools, under Bob Hightree's and others supervision, have the experience of running 20 State Tournaments. They get the mats, clocks, tablehelp (excellent I might add)administration, runners, towel tappers, announcers, trainers, security, and weigh in personnel.

If you are complaining about the way the tournament is run, have you ever volunteered to help with the tournament? Why don't you get a group together and run the hospitality room, (like the good folks from Newton did for so many years, until the coaches and others abused the system and they quit) Why don't you get a meeting with the county commissioners to discuss things you would like to change, I know some people that did that this year. This is the whole State's Tournament, quit complaining and volunteer.

Yes the building is old, however, the county commissioners are reviewing plans to improve the building, what are your thoughts on what you would like to see improved? Again quit complaining and do something.

I believe the KSHSAA is posturing themselves for talks with the county to get the best lease for the state.

It would be a giant step backwards to split up one of the best run tournaments because someone peed on the floor of the restrooms. If you move and break up the tournament to individual classes you will not get the crowd, atmosphere or the spectacle that we have been treated to for over 20 years. Sure local high schools know how to run tournaments, there are many good tournaments every weekend that are larger and have more teams than the individual Class States would have. But what we have here is the closest thing we have left to a Grand State Tournament (remember those 1975-1976, congratulations to Dwane Miller and his Hall of Fame nom. Kapaun won both of these tournaments)

Ok, I'm off my soapbox. If you don't like something, quit complaining and volunteer.

Boo on spliting up the classes.

Personally, I would like to add 321A in with 4A, 5A, and 6A.

By the way, this week is National Brett Shoffner "Boo on..." Week, so boo on everything except Fat Tuesday and Prant Garker.

Ummm... actually boo on Fat Tuesday too.

Do you feel special Prant?

I dont think too many people are complaining about the way it is run, the states involvement in it, or the table help or anything like that. I do believe they and that includes me are, and have been for years, complaining about the facility and the lack of cooperation by those people in the state tourney. Why cant they use the scoreboard for state tourney related items, why cant they paint the walls and clean the restrooms, why do they treat people like they are an inconvienience. None of that has one thing to do with Hightree or the wonderful people that put the meet on or the state in any way. They didnt invent the concept of the state tourney at the city commissioners meeting in Wichita and they can do one heck of a lot better for the money.

Just an observation from a first time poster. There were thousands of fans in the stands this past weekend and a very small percentage of them are complaining on this forum.

It's about the boys/girls who wrestle and not the political agenda of a few people using this venue to push their special interests.

Splitting up the classes would be a big loss for all concerned. Being able to watch 3 classes and hundred of wrestlers compete makes small convenciences worthwhile.

Get over it. Volunteer to make some of the situations better that you think need to be improved. "Those who can do, and those who can't talk about it."

Just an observation from a first time poster. There were thousands of fans in the stands this past weekend and a very small percentage of them are complaining on this forum.

It's about the boys/girls who wrestle and not the political agenda of a few people using this venue to push their special interests.

Splitting up the classes would be a big loss for all concerned. Being able to watch 3 classes and hundred of wrestlers compete makes small inconvenciences worthwhile.

Get over it. Volunteer to make some of the situations better that you think need to be improved. "Those who can do, and those who can't talk about it."

I think that qualifies you as a two time poster.

One vote here for combining them all.