While everyone is thinking about it lets talk about the future of the Kids State Tournament. This year the executive board will take bids for the next three state tournaments (with the right involvement this can be changed to one or two years.) In its present format there are only two feasible locations for the tournament, Wichita and Topeka. It has been in Topeka for at least the last eight years (someone can probably give you the entire history. I know that it used to be in Henry Levit Arena, Gross Memorial Coliseum, and the Bicentennial Center before 16U was added.) There are many reasons it should move and I am sure the pro Topeka group can come up with a fair number to keep it there.

I am putting this post up so that a great number of you who are new to wrestling or have never been familiar with the process of chosing the site will learn and get involved. The executive board is comprised of elected and appointed members who will listen to presentations by both cities. There will be lots of points made by both groups. Admission cost, parking cost, bed tax sharing, concessions, bag searches, setup staff, security, etc. The last time this process was done I believe the ball was dropped and the decision became one of emotions instead of one based on the best package and the best interest of the future of the Kids State tournament. District 4's representation joined hands and voted against Wichita in spite of an economic package that was at least as good if not better. It doesn't take a geography expert to figure out that for almost EVERY member of District 4 this created a drive that was one to three hours longer. District 2's representation was not totally in attendance and so key votes were lost. Long story short, because of the way high school state was hosted by Wichita the Kids board vote wound up going to Topeka by one vote.

This decision is one of THE MOST important votes our board makes. YOU must make sure your elected members and district representation attends this meeting. YOU must make sure they are informed and you are informed. I honestly believe the process should require one meeting for presentations and then time to meet as districts to hear the pros and cons on each package and then another meeting to vote. It is my opinion that it is time for a change. The present practice of hotels in Topeka gouging our members is unacceptable. It is unacceptable for our represenatation to accept a bag search and no food/drink policy when nearly no one in our membership wants such. These two cities will FIGHT for this tournament! It is worth thousands of dollars to their economies and our membership should be able to negotiate into the package what WE WANT and what WE NEED! Get involved! Get informed!