Discuss

Reminders:
  • Proposal here is in it's original form as it was submitted. On this submittal each numbered item represents a separate proposal and vote
  • Executive Board - Voted the following way:
    1. 0 Yes, 11 No - Board No
    2. 0 Yes, 11 No - Board No
    3. No vote needed, suggestion only
    4. 11 Yes, 0 No - Board Yes (Same proposal as Joe Knecht, so we will only vote on this one time)
  • 2/3rds State Body Vote is required for passage for those items voted no by board. 50% + 1 majority vote by State Body for those voted yes.


Notes:
Prop 1. The board has no desire to further complicate the season calendar as it stands. The proposal would have 6U/8U wrestling a qualifier on the last weekend of January as Girls High School regionals starts 2nd weekend of February. Then having a "State" tournament the 1st weekend in February. This would not only split up clubs, families, coaches for 2 weeks of the regular season, but also add additional expenses and/or give these two age groups a state experience that would be akin to any other large regular season tournament thus diminishing the special nature of it, and finally this would reduce several clubs opportunities to run their own regular season tournament. Due to the new way and format the current State Tournament is being run, it can easily accommodate additional competitor numbers and there is still room for expansion of more mats while still finishing up at very good times on each of the 3 days, at the same time giving every competitor the same grand experience.

Prop 2. While the goal of having each District tournament be exactly the same in terms of it's operations, the fact is that many different factors control how each tournament is/can be run. For example District 2 can easily run their tournament in one day in one location even with entry numbers far exceeding other districts, whereas say District 3 & 4 would have to run 2 day tournaments to accommodate increased entries. This is just one example. At the end of the day to have one standardized way of doing things across each district isn't really feasible and could create undue burdens on competitors and their families. Its definitely something the board would look at trying to improve, but not something they were willing to recommend be mandated by Bylaw at this time.

Prop 3. No vote needed as this was a suggestion

Prop 4. Same proposal as submitted by Joe Knecht which was recommended unanimously by the board, so we will have 1 vote on this, and either adopt or reject it based on the State Body vote.

Quote
Proposal #1

Propose a separate state series for 6U and 8U. Using the same designated district boundaries have district tournament 2 weekends prior to the KSHSAA calendar dates for High School wrestling regionals. Using the same criteria for all other age groups and the same rules and procedures as outlined in our bylaws each district shall conduct qualifying tournaments on the Saturday or Sunday of the above designated weekend. The following weekend the USAWKS board will host a state tournament for 6U and 8U with the same processes and procedures for all other age groups at a site to be determined in the same bid processes as the existing state tournament.

GOALS:

Reduces the size of the existing state and district tournaments.
The kids in this population are generally 2nd or under. We need to attempt to shorten their season as the drop off after these two age groups is dramatic.
This would give them a 14-16 week season instead of 18-20 weeks.
Makes room in the club practices for HS kids who get eliminated from regionals and for those wrestling after HS state.
Creates an adequate sized tournament that is economically feasible and can be moved to each district on a rotating basis.
Frees up the Sunday (after we move the Heartland duals qualifier) of district weekend to permit flexibility in scheduling the use of high schools due to possible KSHSAA basketball conflicts. Districts in host in high schools are much more economically feasible.
I am open to a friendly amendment for it to be for 6U only but this hurts some of the goals and especially the economics.
We have reached a near breaking point due to the size of the Kids State Tournament and District tournaments. We also lose more kids from 6 to 8 and 8-10 than any other age transition. We should explore ways to retain wrestlers and to give our community a better experience. There are studies out there that support limiting the length of the season for the younger age groups. This is a seed to be planted for thought and suggestions to provide a stimulation of feedback.

Proposal #2
Standardized state tournament handbook managed by the state tournament committee with adjusted flexibility which currently requires bylaw changes.
Districts should be held with the same deadlines, rules, penalty fees and concepts, seeding criteria, timing, weigh in rules, etc. They should be an absolute level playing field for the STATE TOURNAMENT SERIES.
The proposal is to separate from the bylaws all sections regarding the state tournament series and create a standardized handbook managed by the state tournament committee which adheres to all other bylaws.

The state tournament committee will have flexibility for some decisions.
Weight classes and district boundaries to be decided by the board with state body approval each year.
The districts should NOT have autonomy for the district tournament.

Proposal #3
We need to continue producing some ideas and possibilities for providing an option or opportunity for brick and mortar investment for the advancement of all Kansas wrestlers. We have to get creative and think outside the box to show the state body that we are serious about finding ways to invest their funds into centers for wrestling excellence.

Proposal #4
Rules modification recommendation: "Removal of head coach from premises coaching immediately on second penalty and deduct 2 team points. Removal is for the remainder of the day." The coach's credentials will be taken and given back at the end of the day.
Justification: Currently coaches continuously going to the table to question the official adds unnecessary time to the event as well as interrupts the flow of the tournament. In addition we need better continuity with NFHS rules regarding coaches behavior.

Will Cokely