I think it is interesting how clearly there is a problem with many of KHSAA's policies. Let me share this story with you:

My family is moving to KC because of a job situation. My kid brother is still in wrestling up here in WI. On several occasions my dad has talked to those involved with various programs in the KC area and was actually told that Kansas does not have a midschool program. It seems pretty clear that the reason that he was told that was because Kansas might as well not have one the way the rules appear to be applied, at least a first glance.

Also having been told that there was not even a middle school program it is clearly evident that the KHSAA has in all likelihood failed in its task to promote HS and MS sports. In doing so it has failed every one in the state because (and corrects me if Im wrong) it was created by legislative mandate and as a result ought to be answerable to the public. It seems interesting that a state values personal freedom would create a governing body for HS sports...that compared to the states around and in the NFHSS it fails to live up to its mandate, has no direct accountability, and instead uses its governmental status to make it a 500 pound legal gorilla.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not ripping on KA, but instead very frankly dumb founded as to the KHSAA is tolerated. I also think it ironic that two of the people who so adamantly defended the KHSAA are teachers. In everywhere I have lived or traveled to, teachers (or professors), for the most part will never attack an organization that is big, authoritarian, and most importantly government backed. Also Mr. Mann’s and Neil’s posts, while thought out don’t address the rules themselves. Based on previous posts it seems clear the KHSAA would be fine if some kid had to walk home everyday from practice, even if it’s a thunderstorm and a 5 mile walk, kids problem not there’s. Or better yet, student athletes shouldn’t be able to pay a former college wrestling coach to provide extra training in the the form of structured practice with other paying wrestlers on a Sunday durning the season, even though that extra training will enable him to get a full ride to Cornell, Missouri, UW-Madison, or a host of other schools that I can list that not everyone can afford. The point of HS sports should be to enhance opportunities, not stunt them. As far as kids being pushed to hard I can list several kids who quit even though there parents were the kind that drove from across the country to wrestle in the cotton bowl this weekend…and none of these kids got taken out back to the wood shed either.