I believe we have forgotten the purpose of the state body for Kids Wrestling - customer service. From early November through the state tournament the 'coaches' volunteer time and spend tons of money on this sport. They are customers of USAK. Figuring many are parents of wrestlers, if you figure 15 tournaments during a season at a $15 entry fee, plus concessions, gas, sometimes hotels, the USA card, club dues, camps, shoes and singlets, these coaches (or parents) have spent close to a $1000 or much more for a season. And then, lets do not forget the countless hours many of these so call un-desirables spend coaching other peoples kids in practice and tournaments. Now you want to tell them they cannot be on the floor at the biggest tournament of the year in the State of Kansas. Sportsfan02, even though I normally disagree with most of your posts, I actually (surprising me) agreed with a few of your recent posts that dealt with keeping this forum open to the expression of ideas without too much censorship. But, I wonder if the intent was selfish. Don't tell me you like freedom to make posts, but want to limit the people on the floor at State.
There is a problem at the state tournament - too much time between matches - kids should wrestle more than once every 5 hours. Maybe the state board should look at moving the 16U's to the other side of the expo center. This would free up space and allow for matches to happen faster and more room for all the coaches who have dedicated themselves all year long to a sport they love to be down there to coach. I am not saying this is the solution, but just a suggestion.
Our club has never had a problem getting extra passes when needed. This should not change. Remember its customer service - find a way to let them coach without charging them.
And, on the charging - how much money does the state tournament make??? It doesn't make enough to cover a decent hospitality room???
Jeff is right the small clubs get hurt by this rule and Turner and Salina run great rooms.
The customers in wrestling are the kids, their parents and the coaches (who not always parents). I think Holton understood that when they put on the D1 sub-districts. They were not out just to make money and understood who the customers were.
As I said earlier, find a way to make it work without taking more money from us or excluding people. I hope this did not upset anyone, but as one of those fringe coaches, where this thread was going really upset me. And, I know most who made posts were just thinking about making things work smoothly, I just think we need to look another direction.
