Originally Posted By: GregMann
Just my two cents, which doesn't buy two cents worth of anything.

I think most on here know of my great desire for keeping the 321A Wrestling Tournament in Western Kansas, and preferably as close to the "heart and home of Kansas Wrestling" (NW Kansas) as is possible.

Unfortunately, I agree with Mr. Williams.

Current FHSU administration has demonstrated over the past few years a rather "cavalier" attitude towards hosting high school events, events they know the dates of years in advance; and this extends to not just State Wrestling. They have requested and received schedule changes for 1A State VB & BB, and have messed around with our MCL BB Tournament to the point we will not be returning beginning next year. I DO understand when big, once-in-a-while events come along, such as the opportunity they had two or three years ago to host a NCAA-II Regional national qualifying tournament. But, for a regular season BB game? Really?

There was a time that FHSU believed getting high school aged kids on campus was important and was a great recruiting tool for their school. I no longer believe they see Kansas High School students as being valuable. Their expanding overseas enrollment and online programs have made dealing with and being nice to high school kids just a pain in their butt. We (the MCL) have been told we cost them too much money (FHSU received around $7000 from this year's MCL BB tournament, NOT including concessions) and our tournament is "no longer a priority" for them.

I have communicated to Mr. Lentz my frustration with Fort Hays' attitude. I know losing the MCL BB tournament will not shake up the Hays business community much since we don't purchase motel rooms. . . but the possibility of losing state tournament(s) and with it the motel rooms. meals at restaurants, shopping that is done over those two to three days and fuel should send a real message to Fort Hays administration through the Hays business community.

I have suggested to Mr. Lentz that the KSHSAA consider the Dodge City Convention Center as a replacement venue for FHSU.



I believe you hit the nail on the head with this comment. I'm going to go a step further and call it China money. That appears to be all that matters to FHSU anymore. They have definitely been headed in a different direction over the past several years and as sad as it is to say I believe 321A wrestling (And State BB & VB) needs to do the same.



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