May 10, 2011
To: Class 3A-2A-1A Member Senior High School Principals and Athletic Directors
From: Gary Musselman, Executive Director
Rick Bowden, Assistant Executive Director
Subject: 2012 KSHSAA State Wrestling Tournament – Date Change
We have recently been contacted by the Athletic Department of Fort Hays State University regarding a schedule
conflict with their facility on the dates of next year’s KSHSAA Class 3-2-1A state wrestling tournament. FHSU
has been identified by the members of the RMAC Conference and the NCAA, to host the NCAA Division II West
Regional Wrestling Tournament on Saturday and Sunday, February 25 & 26, 2012. This opportunity occurs
infrequently for FHSU. Their last NCAA regional was in 2003 with a one day format on Sunday. With an
increasing number of universities now involved, a two day format is required by the NCAA.
After discussing options and ramifications with FHSU, the KSHSAA Executive Board approved a change in
the schedule of this tournament for 2012 only. Accordingly, the KSHSAA will schedule the 2012 state
tournament for Class 3A-2A-1A schools, one day earlier. The 2012 tournament will be conducted on
Thursday and Friday, February 23rd & 24th, utilizing the same time schedule and competition format used in
recent years.
While it is never easy to make a change in a state tournament schedule, our highest priority is to protect the
integrity of the event for the participating student athletes. It is hoped this early notice will allow you to make the
necessary changes to your school calendars, travel and lodging plans.
Considerations which played a major role in the decision to advance the schedule one day, to a Thursday
and Friday tournament include:
1. Maintain the time schedule and competition format of the event to ensure athletes competing in 2012
have the same quality experience as those in recent years.
2. Ensure availability of hotel rooms in Hays and the surrounding communities to adequately serve the
needs of our member schools, their teams and fans.
3. To ensure the event continues to be held in an outstanding venue our member schools appreciate, and is
staffed by competent and capable volunteers FHSU arranges.
4. To ensure a change in this tournament would not negatively impact our other state wrestling
tournaments
By providing you with this early notification, we hope you will begin immediately to modify your plans for
hotel reservations and make other adjustments as needed. Fort Hays State University’s Athletic Department
will make accommodations in their wrestling rooms and PE Complex, for schools arriving on Wednesday night, to
have time and space to work out. The time schedule of the two day meet will be exactly the same as last year’s
tournament with the exception that competition will begin on Thursday morning and conclude on Friday
evening. Thank you for understanding and supporting our efforts to provide a quality tournament for our young
people.
