I do not think that any ref is out to take a match away from a kid, but they are only human too, and I realize this. I am not one to shy away from yelling at a ref if they miss a call in the heat of the moment, luckily I have only been dinged once in 3 years by a ref. And this is a ref I consider a very good one at that, so it was deserved and I felt like an ass. Now at the State Tourney at 152 I believe a second stalling call was warranted and I stated that after the fact. The head official, Ron Haag(someone I consider a damn good ref and a friend) was offciating and lots of people were saying "You got screwed" but I do not believe so. It is a judgement call and a tough one to make especially in the State Finals, this is why I am not a ref.

All coached should be required, in my highly-educated opinion, to be an offical once in their lives. I was for one, and only one, kids tournament in Hutchinson. My God, I learned to appreciate them all and to give them a break. I make it a point to go and discuss the calls after the match and apologize if I was acting stupid. The worst thing in the world is to have the refs think you are a bad guy!

Two years ago I had a wrestler, who has since never lost in Kansas, get DQ by a very consistent ref. I lost it, 5 penalties and he was gone. Now looking back on it I realize that what was the point, could it have changed anything, would it have made a difference-if anything it propelled this young man to greatness. For me I realized that the wrestler puts himself in the situation to have the match decided by the refs. I tell my kids don't let this happen! Keep your head on and realize that sometimes BAD LUCK JUST HAPPENS! They are human too and there is no replay.

Some would say the young crew at 321-A sucked it up, while it could always be better, it was what it was. A group of people who are born imperfect trying to officiate a group of young people who are born imperfect. We all make mistakes, some of us just make bigger ones on TV!

I am not trying to sound high and mighty, those who know me will tell you I am neither of those things. I am just a realists and sometimes the calls go your way and sometimes you wreslte Norton!JOKE-JOKE-JOKE. I appreciate anyone who has the courage to go out in those black slacks and that striped shirt. We need more GOOD, YOUNG blood for our official core.

But just like the military-it is underappreciated and most of the time blamed for something that was beyond their control and happened in a blink of an eye.

My one cent!
Coach Brown