Since Mr. Cokely has addressed many if not all of the perceived problems regarding the drop in wrestling numbers I will use his list to discuss areas where we agree/disagree.

Originally posted by Cokeley:
1)"Better officiating! Rules and approach needs to be adjusted based on age of wrestlers. Better attitudes and focus on promotion of wrestling instead of taking the authority role too far."

Sorry I don't agree with this one. We previously had rules that were different between kids and high school. The problem is finding referees that want to work kids events when they have to know two seperate rule books. To have a rule book for different age groups would make it impossible to find officials. The problem with officials or lack there of is still coaches and parents. Until we adopt a zero tollerance policy towards abuse of officials the numbers and quality of officials will continue to drop. If a parent/coach gets in the face of an official for any reason, that should be an official ejection with the manditory 8 day ban from participating. Same with wrestlers and misconduct. I have no problem with an official being an "authority figure" because the way I see it, that is what they are there for. As I may have posted before, my motto is, the official is ALWAYS right even when they're wrong.


2)"More control by the state over tournaments. It is hard to make any money for your club by having a tournament when there are multiple tournments in the same area."

It is impossible for the state to regulate each clubs tournament dates as each of us has a very limited number of dates in which we can hold a tournament when high school events are not taking place at our schools. In my club's situation, on a good year we have two weekends in which to hold a invitational. Some years there are no dates when a high school event is not taking place.


3)"More novice, and better policing of novice competition. Perhaps a seperate Novice State tournament for 1st year wrestlers only. Texas has a novice state tournament."

The novice tournaments are becoming more common every year so this should take care of itself. There was a novice state this year in Derby. In regards to policing of novice competition I don't want the state telling us what we can do for an invitational though. Once you start that you better be prepared for them to tell you to do things that you don't want to do. Let each club hosting an invitational set their own novice qualifications and then if they don't adhere to those qualifications call them on it.

4)"Six and under state. This is where the growth will have to start. Have 16 and under state a different weekend."

I agree totally! If we want to capture these kids hearts for life we need to show them the big dance earlier. One of the reasons we are losing these kids after the 6U age is for this exact reason. With the Brute Nationals this year for the 16U ages I believe this is going to be a wave of the future. Thus, I think the 16U is going to take care of itself and make a state tournament for that age irrelevant.

5)"Lower costs. This would particulary apply to those venues who do not permit the carry in of food and drink. Centralize the location of state and get rid of the two night minimum hotel stays."

I agree but in a different area. Arenas are not going to allow the carrying in of food/drink. Since they are basically giving away these facilities to attract the visitors, the concessions are the one area that they have left to possibly cover expenses. As to centralizing the location, it is all done on bids and if you have a better one make sure the local governing authority bids.
We must however control those costs that we can.
My main pet peeve is the manditory headgear. Our club is very honest with prospective new parents when we tell them about the costs involved with our sport. Any excess costs that we can eliminate should be done and please no more of the "feel good" rules like manditory headgear for young kids. If you want to require them for 14U and 16U fine but please spare me the excuses for having them for all ages.

6)"Get rid of Jr. High wrestling or have the KSHSAA adopt more competition friendly rules which would permit kids to get more tournaments and matches on their own during the Jr High season."

Sorry the middle school rules are just fine the way they are. If people have problems with a lack of coaching or the timing of your season don't try to rain on everyone else's parade. Deal with it locally. Take the initiative like the Smoky Valley club did about getting wrestling into their high school. Instead of whining and
attempting to eliminate all middle school wrestling attempt to change yours. It is my understanding, the KWCA proposed to the KSHSAA this year that the state adopt a standard middle school wrestling season for all participants. This season which is commonly referred to as the "4 sport season" would have wrestling starting immediately after football and ending before the first of the year. After the first of the year that "other" sport would start. This if adopted would be a great deal for us as it would allow the kids who have never experienced wrestling prior to middle school to do both sports equally. In addition, those kids wanting to wrestle federation events on a national level would be able to do so since most of them are after the first of the year.