42 of the 49 states that have HS wrestling conduct their state tournament in one place. We are really cheating our fans and our wrestlers by not finding a way to make this happen.

Why can't we make it a three day event?

Why can't we move it each year? Hays, Wichita, Topeka?

5A and 6A need to have two 16 team regionals so that only 8 wrestlers make it to state, 25% just like 4A. This will make the state tournament more manageable.

I would like to hear some feedback on MAKING IT HAPPEN. I know the majority agrees that it would be the best thing that could happen to Kansas High School wrestling so lets agree on that and figure out a plan. Bowden was too lazy to listen to a proposal but just maybe the new guy will be a wrestling advocate.

While I agree with the goal, with the demise of the Coliseum, I do not believe Kansas has the facility to handle such an event any longer. The new Intrust Arena in downtown has yet to test it's capacity and still has had many complaints. I believe it would not be even close to being able to handle the weekday parking concerns. The other two facilities would not be able to handle the crowd IMO.

I would be fine with only 8 wrestlers at each weight in 5a and 6a. Three days would also help with the congestion. Missouri does 3 days. The places that I can think of that could house this type of tournament are the major universities and the Wichita area.

So now we are to the chicken or the egg, you really need state support to get legitimate talks with any major arena going, but you can't it seems get their support without any commitments from a major arena.

What's next...?

There, fixed it for you!

If there is a large enough venue having them in one place would be a great thing for Kansas wrestling.

I don't think there is a large enough venue.

Missouri tournament is on 8 surfaces over 3 days. There are venues with space enough for 8 surfaces. It does not take space for 15 mats. Is there not 8 mats down in topeka for kids state?

Isn't this argued every stinkin' year?

Cokeley:

Just how many face-to-face meetings has one had with Bowden on such proposals, that he's refused to take to the KSHSAA Board, to give you the ability to slander him on here by calling him "lazy"? Lazy is a harsh word to call someone, when they are subject to needing to take such a proposals to a BOARD and they ultimately make that call!

Bowden & I butted heads on several things, but I'd be very careful with throwing a term on "lazy" around or labeling him as such. Are there things that need to be improved on, sure - but to call him "lazy"???

Can't wait to see you as the Asst. Exec. and see how you react to all the comments that'll be fired at you, as you so easily fire at him!!!

It's just tiring...

Just how many spectators do those venues seat? It's not only about mat surface it's also about seating. Do we really want to hold a state tournament where mom and dad might not be able to see their kid wrestle? Intrust could possibly handle the seating and mats but I would hate to hear all the complaints on here about the parking afterwards. For those that don't know, you would have to be trolleyed to the arena from parking areas throughout the city.
The other two facilities mentioned don't come close to having enough seating.

Lest we forget about all the petty gripes on this forum about the Coliseum when it was being used! From the "security nazis" to the "cooler nazis" to every other type of "nazis". People can always find something to bitch about if they look hard enough. We had a great thing with that venue which we will likely not see again for the next couple of decades!

Missouri splits wrestling into 2 sessions. Class 1 & 2 go in the morning session. Class 3 & 4 go in the afternoon session. All classes are brought back together for the semi-final and finals. This format does help ease the issue of parking and seating.

2011 Missouri state wrestling championship

mizzou arena - Seating Capacity - 15,061 (60% lower bowl, 40% upper bowl)

Bramlage coliseum - 12,528

Allen fieldhouse - 16,300

Topeka expocentre - 10,000

Intrust arena - 15000

Kansas Coliseum - 9,686

How cool would it be to have that court covered with mats from door to door at Allen Field House? That may send some sport fans into a tizzy. It would be worth fighting the traffic, parking, motels, etc just to see the KU faithful in mourning.

I think KU seats 16K to 18K. KSU about the same. I think the MU arena is about the sames size. MO State Tournament was wrestled in sessions; i.e., I think separate sessions until the last day, for example: class 4 opening rounds in a session, class 2 opening rounds in a session; several differnt sessions daily.

I think the lower stands/bleachers at KU are moveable (can be moved back from sidelines). Don't know about KSU-never been there. Need more width for 2 rows of mats than a BB court. Have to also check the floor length to insure can lay down a row of 4 mats.

If 16 brackets are to big, and you want a one site State, send only the 1st and 2nd placers from each regional (do an 8 bracket state). Some other states do!

There was no parking issues last year at Intrust.NONE,unless you can't walk a block or two. Come on fans lets get 4a,5a,6a back together again.
Dan Gentzler

Allen, Bramlage and Koch are ******ball arenas. My guess is you can get about 4 mats on the floor. So seating capacity doesn't matter. Also, all those seating capacities can be fudged to make them look bigger than they actually are when you have to lose some seats to make room for mats. I would bet the only one close to being able to handle the mats and seating of the Coliseum, is Intrust.

That is because nobody was there. You don't get the crowds until you add in 4A and below. Besides, I doubt you will see Intrust actively go after KSHSAA business and vice versa. I don't think Intrust feels they need that type of event there right now.

Allen Field house is one big big place. Need to get the tape measure out.

Come the finals of the Missouri State tournament, what % of the stadium is actually filled? A smaller environment may be more intimate in terms of seating. Make it looked packed for the wrestlers.

I would love for all classes to be in 1 building. 3 day event could work but I don't believe that it needs to move around. Find the facility that works best and go with it.

Currently I think that place is Intrust in Wichita. There would be plenty of seating and contrary to some thoughts out there parking is not an issue. Some people just need to quit being lazy and be willing to walk a block or so.

I would say that the plan to make it happen is to organize an online petition that people could sign out lining the benefits.