As an official, I think that the problem with loud and embarrassing parents starts with KIDS wrestling. With the exception of post-season tourneys, parents are allowed to be right on the mats running their camcorders and their mouths. I've been involved in this sport for 22 seasons now, and I have yet to see a KIDS tourney where there wasn't at least one screaming mother or overbearing dad/coach that just embarrased their club or hometown by making a total fool of themselves. When these kids get into high school, it seems as though their parents can't grasp the idea that their son has ONE coach who knows exactly what his wrestler needs to do to win a match. These parents may not even realize it, but when their son is on the mat, and "in the zone" he can barely even hear his coach that's 20 ft. away, much less his parents in the stand. There's nothing wrong with cheering for your son, but leave the coaching to the coach. He's the one that knows best. I can remember from my first years of wrestling that there were a few mothers that stood out in the crowd (loudly), and they kept doing it all the way up through the 3-2-1A tourney in Hays. By that time, they were probably more well-known to other fans than their sons were. I know this forum is for high-school wrestling, but no one can deny where these parents actually get their start. This past weekend at a KIDS tourney, I saw a mother screaming for the whole 3-minute match at her SIX-YEAR OLD. He lost a close match, his mother repeatedly slammed the mat with her hand, and guess what the result of that was? He refused to shake the other kid's hand, started balling because he had obviously disappointed mom, and screamed at his mom for several minutes, before she finally picked him up and carried him out of the gym. I also saw a coach/dad throw his son's sweatshirt into his face as he walked off the mat after a tough loss, and another coach/dad that told his son he was going to "call the hotel in Topeka and cancel their room for the state tournament if he was going to wrestle like that". What a great example for these kids to follow!

Wrestlers, do yourself and your hometown a favor. Tell your parents to cheer in a positive manner, the other fans, coaches, and officials will greatly appreciate it.

Thanks!!!