Eric,

As one of the great success stories from Kansas, I am very interested in hearing your views on how to develop and improve on the collegiate wrestling opportunities in Kansas. However, in this case I feel I’m going to have to disagree with you.

As you know, there are several responsibilities that come with the head coaching position in an collegiate program. In the areas of academics Coach Bickley has done a phenomenal job, which you have already acknowledged. As an ambassador for our state and our sport I can attest that he has been invaluable.

My principal concern is that your post alleges shortcomings in Coach Bickley’s coaching ability based on current and prior accomplishments at the national championships. I think that Cody is building the program in the right way, and those individual and team titles are coming. Part of the problem that FHSU encounters is the same reason that you give in questioning their results … we are surrounded by DII programs with solid winning traditions that draw some of our better wrestlers such as Cody Garcia. These are good programs with good coaches, so it’s easy to understand why they would attract so many of our top wrestlers and why FHSU has to fight hard to attract and keep Kansas kids here at home.

As you stated, FHSU is supposed to be the premier program for our state and, as such, must hold itself to a high standard throughout the year, not just at the national championships. In this respect I believe that Coach Bickley has given us a program that we can be proud of and that we can confidently send our sons to. He has assembled a very good group of young men and has instilled a good work ethic in them. It’s not that I am discounting the importance of succeeding on the mat at the end of the season, but I think that it’s equally important how you get there. Ultimately, I think FHSU and its wrestlers will rise to the top with Coach Bickley leading the way.