I'd like more info on this situation. It would seem really dumb to cut the program on the surface, but let's take an honest look.

As a former head coach at Southeast, I have a little bit of knowledge of the 259 doings. I haven't been in 259 for 5 years so things have changed. I'll just analize what I know.

1st - they do have pay to play in the district, which I believe is a detriment to all activities involved. Granted, there are pay scales based on earnings of the parents, but it still exists.

2nd - the booster clubs. Many high schools have them as a generalized endeavor. In 259, they are sport/activity specific. The wrestling boosters raised money for the wrestling team. I don't see that changing because lets be honest, if you've got a nice nest egg (like football), why would you want to share the money with someone like the wrestling team. The wrestling teams have smaller numbers and trying to do a fund raiser for wrestling is troublesome. 1. they just did it for a different sport in the fall thus making the kids beggers in the neigborhood and 2. Christmas is right around the corner.

3. Financial survival. Basically what happens is that the school gives the team enough money to survive, meaning pays the coaches and if they so choose, the officials and workers for duals and tourneys. Need new equipment - see the boosters.

4. Economic viability. When pressured by NCLB for test score improvement, money is spent in areas to help that improvement. Wichita just passed a bond issue a few years ago and taxes have raised for those improvements. I don't forsee the public saying okay to another tax raise for coach salary, etc. Money has to go to the greater good. Getting kids to learn is much more important that wrestling, economically speaking. Someone will come on here and tell of all the benefits sports have and I agree. But if they aren't in the room, then it's not doing anyone any good.

5. College scholarships. You are right in saying that kids are going to be missing out on opportunities for scholarships in wrestling. However, one of the things I preached as well as many other coaches preach is that wrestling is not the golden goose. In college, not many are on full rides. They get partials. So if you're out there banking on a full ride, buy a lottery ticket. Wrestling, in combination with good grades will help considerably with the bill. There is no such thing as the "Ogre" from Revenge of the Nerds. And even if that one kid that could have got a full ride is denied that opportunity because of cutting the program, look at all the kids that were denied an education to pay for coaches etc. for the one kid. I'm just playing devils advocate - these are the arguments your going to come across.

I hope this topic stays fresh and we don't just let 259 have their way. I know there are more people out there against us than for us. I hope for the sake of 259, the wrestling community does more than show up to the board and say "no fair." It's going to take a collective effort of all those affected with a strong strategy of illustrating why it shouldn't be done and preparation of counter points. The district will combat with financial dollars and that is what moves the monkey.

Suggestions, look at a consolidation of athletics. North and West. East and Southeast. Northwest and Heights. There's no rule that says this can't be done. If Wichita truly wanted to keep the sport, consolidation of activities is one option.