I think there are a lot of issues that our elected officials need to take a "hard look" at this year. I know that no matter what decision is made not everyone will be happy. That is why it is so important for those people to do what is best for the sport of wrestling in the state of Kansas.
If we are in need of additional money then adding the 6U to our state event is a logical choice. I think it also keeps the younger people excited about what true reward is at the end of a tough season, going to THE State Championship Tournament. We encourage our young wrestlers to watch HS events and HS state events then it should be the same for the 6U kids.
Please don't raise the entry fees. The concession prices at Topeka just don't give people much more room to wiggle! LOL!
If adding the 6U to our state event creates a SIZE problem then we will need to look for a new venue or a split style tournament. I think being too large of an event is a great problem to have. I personally would love to look for a larger venue in the Wichita Area but if I have to drive to Topeka or even Kansas City (for the good of the sport) then I say "Load up the Car! It’s Road Trip Time!"! I think there are a lot of pro's to adding the 6U's to our state tournament.
You hear a lot of people talk about the season being too long!
Some say just take time off and some say you have to keep to the grind stone to maintain that competitive edge because everyone else is. Even if you take weekends off then you still have a week of practice.
I say that we should have a Black Out (or Bye) Week in the middle of the season. Do not let any Kansas Club schedule a tournament that week. I would hope that a lot of clubs would follow the same idea and take a week of practice off or at least a much reduced week of practice. Those people that really want to wrestle can look for an out of state event or maybe a duel with another club. At least USAWKS will be taking a true proactive step to reduce "Burnout"!
People also "Debate" the reason why the numbers of our wrestlers reduce each year of age division. Has anyone ever really asked these people why they left the sport? Why can't the state create an Exit Survey? Every year that someone does not renew their USA wrestling card they are sent (to their previous address) a brief Exit Survey. It is a SHORT, self addressed, postage paid survey (or maybe a link to web survey) that asks them the real reason why the stopped wrestling. Maybe add a few other questions in there and also leave an area for comments. I think if we make it that simple and FREE then people will take the time to tell us the real reason why they left the sport.
We can then take this info and start fixing/addressing some of the issues that may truly be out there in our sport.
If we reduced the number of people that left the sport by only a few % each year then this would pay for itself in very short period of time.
Growth of the sport!
Love of the sport!
And the Economics of the sport!
These sound like a great place for them to start!!!
