WOW! We endured another annual Derby Tournament!

I'll provide some points from my point of view.

First off, I know most of those working the tournament did a decent job. Craig, it had to be exhausting work having to wait so late to set up and get everything together in time. Just want you to know that, even though some of my comments may be on the harsh side, I appreciate your hard work for the kids.

Every year, I hate to admit it, but I/we always say this is the last year we're doing Derby! Buuuutttt, we always end up forgetting the pain, etc.. and remembering that it is a good tournament (in terms of the competition...for sure) for most weights/brackets and cave in and return. It doesn't take long to remember why I/we said (the year before) we weren't returning the next year.

Agreed "elid2", we do know what we're getting when we go to Derby. Some good, lots bad. Fortunately, most of the good was a direct benefit to the kids who have been working so hard preparing in practices, etc. Unfortunately, the bad was experienced by the rest of the unwashed (myself/family included).

I was wondering about those who may have traveled from distances that required an overnight stay at a hotel. I can't imagine going to that trouble for this tournament.

A large number of brackets were NEVER updated during the tournament. NEVER. This was/is extremely annoying. This is the first tournament ever, in many years anywhere, that I've ever seen this.
My kid, myself, our coaches (probably in that order) would like to have an idea of who they would be wrestling in the various matches, also to see how the other kids were doing in the bracket, including the rest of those in our club. However, that was impossible on Saturday.

The crowd was overwhelming, as usual. They REALLY need to look at limiting the entries, or spreading it out to 2+ days. 14u's on Friday (maybe), and please separate Novice out to Sunday. The Novice crowd, especially at this stage in the season, is large and inexperienced. That may sound insensitive, and in the era of "Hoax and Change", I probably should be more sensitive. But many people, who have little "home training" and either don't realize there are other people in the same general space besides themselves. Maybe its a personal problem/pet peeve.

Also, the restroom (the mens anyway) was horrible all day long. It wasn't clear at all if it was being attended to at any point during the day/night. It may have been, but it wasn't clear it was or not.

Also btw, I bet the Derby Tournament folks really appreciated the "help" they got from a certain group of kids going around selling candy.

One final complaint. It is now 11:45pm on Sunday night and many of the brackets are STILL not completed.

On the upside though. I/we did snag an awesome parking spot upon arrival at the high school on Saturday!

I hope that you, Craig, and any other Derby folks, will take these comments in a helpful way. I know it is exhaustive work putting on a tournament of this size, so I appreciate all the work even in spite of some of the harsh things I've said. It may be that you simply need more people working in various spots. If you can't get them, you really need to consider downsizing it or rightsizing it I guess.

It really is a great tournament in terms of the competition.