Purple People Eater asks:
1. "but I still have a question on the excuse of a doctors mistake."
Answer: National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) 2003-2004 Rules Book, Rule 4, Section 2, Article 3 (page 15) states, "If a participant is suspected by the referee or coach of having a communicable skin disease or any other condition that makes participation appear inadvisable, his coach shall provide current written documentation from a physician stating that the suspected disease or condition is not communicable and that the athlete's participation would not be harmful to his opponent. This documnent shall be furnished at the weigh-in or prior to competition in the dual meet or tournament. Covering a communicable condition shall not be considered acceptable and does not make the wrestler eligible to participate."
2. "If this doctor made a mistake, how do we know thath you are not sending wrestlers to him or her to this day?"
Answer: Coach Lane did not say he sent the wrestler to the doctor. The wrestler went to his personal physician.
3. "We all know that doctors can be found who will 'look the other way' sometimes, so how do we know this isnt being used now?"
Answer: You do not know!
4. "Also since you disclosed both your name and the wrestlers name I think it is only fair that you disclose the doctors name as well."
Answer: The affected athlete participated in a wrestling event at a public high school, in view of the general public. The wrestler provided a skin condition form signed by a physician in order to participate, thereby waiving any perceived right to privacy the wrestler may have had. The involved wrestler, and only the involved wrestler, may disclose the name of the physician.
Physicians are licensed, and if you have any additional concerns, I suggest you contact the appropriate licensing boards.
Coach Lane followed the rules set forth by the NFHS.
What happened to you is unfortunate, however dredging up the past and harboring ill will certainly is not the answer to the problem.
As you well know, no one forced you to step on the mat and participate.