There are two separate recent posts that kind of address this issue and possible solutions. District 1 Accomodations & Tournament-Topmiller 3/24 12:31AM and State Tournament Schedule-? for Mike Juby-Cokeley 3-23-2002. If you are interested in this subject you might want to check out both posts and contribute to the discussion and hopefully a good solution.

Topmiller's problem was at District 1 last year and mine was at State last year as described in Cokeley's post on the State Tournament Schedule. I think the common element is though that these tournaments are probably too long and somehow need to be changed.

I have probably suggested the most radicial proposal. I think we need to consider dropping the 6 & under from district and 16 and under from all Kids competition. Maybe that is too radical. You can read my reasons in the Topmiller post on district 1 accomodations. A couple people suggested dropping some weight classes in 14 & 16 and under. One person suggested making District a two day tournament with the 14 & 16's on the second day.

I think shortening these tournaments is a very worthy goal. I thought about not bringing it up until next week after State. I hope it doesn't distract from this week and what it is about for the kids, coaches, and everyone else involved. I'm only bringing it up so strongly now because I know many of us will not be on this site after this weekend's tournament and I really believe it is a topic that needs to be addressed and changed.

As a parent I want to thank all of you coaches, referees, tournament directors and officials who work so hard for our children. I hope you understand that none of us who are bringing up this topic do not appreciate your tireless efforts. We just want to try for a better overall situation and our offering our best ideas on it.