I am very pleased to see that others are upset about the role of security at the Colosium in Wichita during the 4-5-6A State tournament. Obviously there needs to be some restrictions on the the number of people who are allowed access to the ground level; however, a little humanity would go along way toward making the experience a postitive one for wrestlers and fans. Personally I would like to see the 4A teams in at a site by themselves. I find little time during the tournament to keep track of the 5 and 6A competititon. I know from talking to the 3-2-1A coaches they like the situation they have in Hays, so why change something that works? My primary consern in Wichita is the impersonal treatment that we as fans and participants receive by the event staff. I would like to encourage people to contact their high school activities directors and principals and express your thoughts on this. The state will can not respond to grievances that we as fans keep to ourselves. Ray Higley

Whatever ultimately happens, I would hate to see 4A by itself. Is Hays big enough to hold the whole tournament? I know many 4A schools in and around the Kansas City area whose students and supporters have many friends in the larger 5A and 6A schools. I would hate to miss seeing those divisions wrestle. We know wrestling parents have become accustomed to driving, I wouldn't mind a long drive for a great tournament. I think separating divisions further than they currently are would dull the shine of the ceremony. It's so neat seeing the awards on the three podiums. Please, KSHSAA, don't separate us any further.

I have been to both sites for State. I haven't been to Wichita in a couple of years but I like Hays because of the fans / people that attend. You don't have a "ton" of people that HAVE to get on the floor where they don't belong like in Wichita. Seems like the people in Hays are friendly and more courteous. With only one class, there is more room and you don't have to fight the crowds. It makes it easier for wrestlers, coaches, fans, and event staff.

At Wichita, with some many people trying to get on the floor could be the reason for security being more insistent or "rude." They have a lot of people to deal with, with a lot of different attitudes.

I am not saying everything is perfect in Hays, some fans get upset with ref's calls, etc. but someone from their town or family quickly clams them down.

Just some thoughts as an old coach and now, wrestling fan.

i must say that i have not had any of the problems that everyone is talking about. of course sometime security will harass people about being on the floor, but that is better than allowing everyone on the floor. i would rather be hassled than add more people to an already over-crowded floor.

as far as moving the tournament manhattan i think that is a horrible idea. i sincerely doubt the problems you are having will disappear at a different venue. these are the same problems i hear at any event. a more important issue is regarding accommodation for a state tournament. i know that hotel rooms are usually gone quickly in wichita, do you think that smaller towns with less surrounding cities to pick-up the excess will make eating and lodging easier. if people are unhappy at wichita, then you should talk to you coaches and they can address the proper channels to make sure that they are corrected next year.

kyle stevens

I agree that the Coloseum and its staff need to do a better job on regulating who is able to have access to the floor. I seen many ex-wrestlers and parents on the floor that have no reason to be down there. Some of our wrestlers were hasseled by the coloseum security while trying to get on the floor to warm up for matches while parents were let free to walk on through. I definately agree that the divisions need to be split up or moved to help prevent this from occuring.

I did visit with Rick Bowden of the KSHSAA about this situation this weekend. Over the last several years I've heard growing complaints about the Kansas Coliseum in Wichita, particularly surrounding the facility, staff, and prices. Mr. Bowden said the 4A-5A-6A State tournaments will be back at the Coliseum one more year to finish out the contract. At that point, the KSHSAA will consider the possibility of am alternative venue. He said he has received a large number of complaints regarding the tournament at the Coliseum. FYI

Personally, my biggest complaint about the state tournament is the length. I think if we are able to put down four mats per classification, this would speed things along some, perhaps cutting off 2-3 hours of total time. I think we need to make things as friendly as possible for those most important to our sport. . .the kids and their families. Having them in gymnasiums for 10-12 hours every Saturday makes for a long season, especially for those not as "gung-ho" about wrestling as us coaches and a select few wrestlers/parents. We need to get them out of the gyms while it is still daylight as often as possible.

Starting the Saturday state finals around 2 or 3 p.m. instead of 6:30 would be a good move. Perhaps four mats would allow us to accomplish this. This is why I think we should join the 4A and 3-1A tournaments and the 5A and 6A tournaments in a site that can lay down 8 mats, regardless of where we choose.

Hays sure seems like a long haul for Eastern 4A schools, I think that would cut down tremendously on the number of fans they would be able to get to come out and support them. Salina seems like a good geographical fit, but it also seems like everyone I talk to has nothing but positive things to say about the tourney in Hays. Maybe it can rotate every few years, just some thoughts.

Congratulations to all the wrestlers who accomplished their goals this year. And to those who fell just short, be proud of yourselves for pursuing your dreams with courage and valiance. The overall experience helps you to become the men you wish to ultimately become.

Regards,
Kit Harris
Baldwin HS

I think that were they hol teh 4-5-6A tournemt is fine. i am from a 4A school bu tlove watching the 5 and 6a scools wrestle. I think thy should keep it the way it is but get different security at the collisium. they don't aloud people to bring in out side food but the funny thing is that we always sneak it in. but most poeple do that. I know that know other place in Kansas is big enough to hold the 4-5- and 6a state tourmanemt. I think they schould renew there contract. its pretty easy for the eastern schools to get to Wichita so don't make it any farther away its far enough away!!!!!!! I enjoy watching all three classes at the tournament. its enat getting tosee the other wreslters from different classes that are wrestlers have wreslted in different tournaments!!!!!

As far as the distance for eastern kansas schools I don't think that is a factor. It takes about 3 hours to get from Topeka to Hays. And it takes about 2.5 hours to get from Topeka to Wichita. But I think the big question is, why mess with the 3-2-1a tournament because of problems with the 6-5-4a. The 3-2-1a tournament is great so leave it alone. They only use three mats so I don't think you could add the 4a schools without major time problems. And why should they move it away from Hays obviously the big schools didn't want their's there to start with. Now they see the smaller schools going well and want to take over! Leave a good thing alone. Change the 6-5-4a tourney if you want but leave the 3-2-1a alone.

Being about as far east (Leavenworth) as you can get from Hays, let me say that neither myself, my wrestlers or our fans mind one bit going out there. Yes, it's a rather long, boring trip, but it's State. If State were being held in the Antarctic, we'd happily go. If distance is the issue, then it's a pretty low priority. Even little Immaculata has it's loyal following of fans that would go to Garden City to watch (not that I'm suggesting that).
The issue, and the only issue, about location should be -- as Kit Harris so correctly put it --what's best for the kids. I would hate to see 3-2-1A combined with any of the other classes, but on the other hand if that would be better for the kids and the progress of the sport in this state, so be it. Hays would not be big enough for more than one class, either.
It sounds to me as if Wichita has blown it as far as keeping the big schools after next year. I only hope that a good solution can be found. But we "little guys" are very happy in Hays; even with the long drive!

Jeff Holmes
Immaculata High School

Amen Dad! To add mats and people to the Hays tournament would only take away from it. If the larger schools what the same special relationship with a venue they need to go out and create one, say 4a with salina 5a with Mannhattan 6a with Topeka.

321A shouldn't leave Hays,while spoil a good thing,everyone is happy there,I say leave it alone,could it really get much better?Let the bigger schools resolve their problems and find another place but leave us out of it!

The only kind of State tournament I was ever used to before coming to Kansas five years ago was all-emcompassing, three-day extravaganza with all three classes (and about 300 schools) in Des Moines, Iowa. Every session would have anywhere from 10,000 to 14,000 fans in the seats at any one time, with eight mats going non-stop. It was exciting, it was a rush and it was an unforgetable experience I went through from a very young age on.

Coming to Kansas in 1997, the system here took some getting used to, but over the last few years I have come to realize that while it would be fun to have some of the other classes around, the tournament in Hays if fantastic. And while the TRADITION is to have all of the other classes together, perhaps it is time that -- like basketball -- we split the other three classes up and give them experience of being the center of their "universe" for a few days. As I have discovered since my move here, once you try it that way, you might just like it.

3A and 4A both used to be in Hays. I think for a few years with 1982 the last. They just don't have motel space for both. If you wait until the last minute you have to go to Russell just for 3A.
I admit I love Hays and I have attended all but one state tourney in the last 30 years. It would be nice if 3A was farther east once in awhile so the less dedicated fans could attend, but I am quite content in Hays as I have been to Wichita. There is no comparison.