Originally posted by billy_mcjackson_ripjc:
I think that it's safe to say there will be no wrestling program in Kansas at the division one level anytime soon.
If everyone believed this and consequently became apathetic about the effort, then it will not happen. In my opinion, it is going to take contributions from the entire Kansas wrestling community to one day make it happen. There is a group of us that firmly believe that wrestling in Kansas would benefit immensely if a Kansas university would add Divison I wrestling for Men and Women right now. And yes, Afternoon Delight, it would be very cool if it happened. Imagine if we had been able over the last three or four years to have just shot up to Lawrence, Manhattan or Wichita to watch Zach, Joe J, Shawn, Matt, Scott, Justin and the rest of our Division I contingent go against the top talent in the country. What if one of our Kansas schools had recruited Cael Sanderson?
billy_mcjackson_ripjc, everyone who is actively involved in this recent renewed effort is realistic about difficulty of this endeavor. There are many professional people involved in this effort. We realize how long it has been since there was Division I wrestling in Kansas and how many wrestling programs have been dropped since 1972 due to budgetary and Title IX reasons. We were told by Gonz Mendina at our last meeting in Overland Park that it might take up to ten years to make it happen. I believe that our group is committed to that type of long term effort. Several people have put in some time and personal expense into this effort already.
I guess what I am saying is that throwing water on the fire is not going to be helpful. Why don't you try throwing another log on the fire instead?
Edited: By the way, even though we realize that it might take up to ten years of effort to make it happen, we are all hopeful that it will be a lot sooner.
