I've had this for about 3 days ready to post and now seems like as good a time as any. One comment here that seems to be ignored. Kids in all sports start dropping out at around 16 because all sports become competitive at that age, not because they are burned out because of pressure. High School aged youth tend to have less opportunity and thus end up dropping out. Now the long post I have had for about 3 days waiting to post. By the way Mr. Church we really do need to meet we do seem to think a lot a like.
bubowski, please don't take this wrong, I am certain that on 85 out of 100 other items we might be in total agreement, a pretty good percentage.
There is a reason that some have issue with this debate and I hope you and others opposed to the 6 & Under understand. Many in favor of 6 & Under, including me, who would make a commitment to work and help, even though I don't have and never will have another 6 & Under child have a hard time understanding the approach that many are using in arguing against 6 & Under at State.
We hear about the cost of conducting a poll and why this one is not scientific. Call me dumb, I don't know, but I don't know why that is and I studied statistics in college. This is a random poll and truth is that a random phone poll as someone, maybe you mentioned, is not that expensive. Let me explain. With a database of names and numbers, the phone calls and time is not that difficult if you have agreed upon questions on the poll. If you have a polling company come in then it becomes expensive, but I bet that there is a high school or college class who could take this on, or for that matter a few volunteers who would donate their time. Most people now have long distance phone service that allows unlimited long distance phone calls. Let's have an impartial committee form the questions for the poll, I will be one of those who volunteer my time to call individuals on a random basis, and ask only the questions given that are agreed upon. I don't think I would be the only one to volunteer for that, and there are ways to phrase the questions that does not indicate partiality.
Another thing, I don't find many who are supporting the 6 & Under who disagree with many of the things that you are saying, in fact, many agree about the pressure, about how wrong it is to have parents live through their kids, etc. Many of us accept that if a parent thinks their child is not mature enough, then they shouldn't wrestle. We also agree that parents that get out of line should be disciplined by the tournaments for their actions. If this is done, then there won't be the pressure and things would improve. Unfortunately, because tournaments don’t discipline like they should, every parent gets put in the same barrel as all of the bad parents. This is not fair, especially to the parents that would agree with you on many of the valid points you bring up.
For me here is the underlying issue, and reason I have issue with the arguments. It is obvious that an unfair and possibly inappropriate disadvantage is given to 6 & Under wrestlers in their being required to wrestle up to 8 & Under for state. You talk about not creating pressure on the kids but then allow a system that increases the amount of pressure a kid feels, in my world we call that inconsistency. All these parents are asking for is the same opportunity and same right as every other parent of a wrestler. They just want the same thing for their money. Personally, I just don’t see what is so hard to understand about that.
Here is where the rub stings though; unfortunately, the position is that those opposed to the format are telling parents that are in favor of it, what is best for their children. While I and I believe most of the parents of 6 & Under believe that there has to be guidelines, the guidelines being presented to prevent a 6 & Under state are not consistent. We allow them to sign up as an 8 & Under at state, we have them wrestle in tournaments all year, every weekend at 6 & Under, we do all of these things but don't provide opportunity for them to wrestle at state during the big show at that same age. No wonder some of these parents take it so personally, someone else is telling them what is best for their kids. Most parents when put in this position, especially with the inconsistencies that exist on this issue, will take that personally. It is a reason that someone like me, who again, don't have a kid in this division understands their position.
I know I will hear about the voting at state, by the way on a Sunday which is another issue, and the by laws and all of that. Kansas has one of the best, if not the best USA organization in the country, but that is not to assume that everything is okay or perfect. I believe finding a way to give more of a voice to the membership is an admirable goal. I know from my involvement with District 2 that there was a great deal of debate and upset members regarding the 6 & Under issue and they being told that they could not bring it up again for a period of time, I think for several years. That whole issue regarding the fact that apparently it can’t even be brought up to committee has not even been discussed. I also keep hearing about how all of the clubs are opposed to the format. Yet, I have heard many from other clubs in District 3, District 1, and District 4 voice support of 6 & Under. Do they need to become more involved? Of course the answer to that is yes. Unfortunately, if I am not mistaken, if they became involved now, they couldn’t bring the issue up at a state body meeting. By the time they could, again, to my understanding, their kids will be too old to wrestle 6 & Under. Therefore, their passion is not as deep and the likelihood of them fighting for it is less. If I am mistaken on this, please someone give clarification. I know this was a large part of the discussion at one of the district 2 meetings I attended this year.
Last note here, there is again a disagreement with some as to the approach used by clubs. Some say it is all on the coaches, some say give parents control. I say let parents know which approach the club uses and what is available. That is how a free-market-society works. It is called competition. Then make sure that the parents, no matter what position the club takes, knows about the decisions being made on behalf of their children. Those types of issues and decisions are actually required for any organization having a 501(C)3 organization upon the request of the individuals in that organization. I may be mistaken to this, but don’t believe I am, but because each charter club is a part of USA Wrestling as a whole, they must also abide by federal guidelines for agencies that receive any kind of federal funding. I would assume that USA Wrestling, because of the association with the Olympic Team receives some federal funding. If that is the case, the requirement for freedom of information falls on each club that is a part of the organization so when they seek that information the clubs are required to provide it to them. Why do I mention this? Actually quite simple, it is amazing at how little information is provided by many clubs to their membership. However, if requested, those clubs are required to provide that information. I would go so far as to say, that many parents, if not in fact, most parents within the clubs, don’t always know the position and votes the club makes on issues like this. A parent with a 6 & Under child, is new to wrestling in most cases, unfortunately they don’t always know this type of issue exists. I would go so far as to say that I bet most 6 & Under parents did not even know that their kids could not wrestle in the State tournament until later in the year after the season had been going on. We blame them for their ignorance when it is our own lack of communication that hindered their knowledge.
As to my son, he did wrestle in the 6 & Under state in Oklahoma when we lived there, in a smaller arena, with less people, and with more wrestlers. Lord I am glad that he didn't end up disturbed and traumatized like so many of the kids I hear about from those that oppose 6 & Under. I'm glad he didn't burn out like all of those kids I hear about. I could go on, but all I'll say is if you ask him which state championship meant the most to him, he will tell you his first at 6 & Under. He still remembers how hard he worked for it and what it took to earn it. As a matter of fact if you ask him about any of his championships, including several national ones, he still tells about that first one at 6 & Under.
I agree that parents need to become more involved, parents need to educate their team mates who have 6 & Under wrestlers and let them know the process. If you find that you want your child to have that opportunity and you are with a club who continually votes against the program, find another club in your area who will support your position if your club is unwilling to do that. I go back to that free-market-consumer type of thing. That means consumer choice and wrestlers and parents have power to change things they don't like by changing clubs. Nothing wrong with advocating for the things you want within the guidelines. Of course, that goes for those opposed to the system too. Parents and coaches, start advocating to your parents that have 6 & Under kids, advocate for the changes you desire, if it is preventing 6 & under fine, if it is finding a club that supports the same rights for your child as older children, well that is fine to. I guess that is why some of the clubs opposed to 6 & Under though don't openly admit which club they are a part of.
