I have talked to quite a few coaches around the state, and quitting seems to be on the rise this year. Our guys want to come up with a top ten list, based upon excuses that have been used this year....among those:
My mom made me quit.
My mom wants me to sing.
My dad caught me with dip.
I like to wrestle, but I don't want to practice.
I'm too good for JV.
I'm burned out.
I just want to chill.
I'm D1 material in football.
I'm going to study more.
My Dad wants me to wrestle, and I'm mad at my Dad.
I need to work to save money for
a) college,
b) insurance,
c) a car,
d) a speeding ticket
The coach is an !&^#@%&
Can anyone add to the list with REAL statements that were used?
Bought tickets to the Daytona 500 which falls on the weekend of regionals
I like to smoke cigarettes
Basketball practice is easier
Yes..both of these were used this year
I had a kid this year quit 40 minutes into the first day of practice. I am not sure if that is some kind of record, but it is pretty pathetic, which is what all of these quitters are - - pathetic.
what about having to quit to keep $2500 in academic scholarships? would that be considered bad?
Originally posted by Bronco Wrestler:
what about having to quit to keep $2500 in academic scholarships? would that be considered bad?
If that were an entirely honest answer, it would be understandable. However, although it may take a little time management, I don't see how a kid could lose academic scholarships because of any school activity. If we were to look at GPA's of all state champions, I would bet that the same drive that made them great wrestlers also drove them to be above average in the classroom. I know that there are exceptions.
Relative to this subject is another matter of quitting during and before matches. Wrestling is about making the other guy quit. In practice, 40 minutes into the season or in the state finals.
At all levels kids quit before they step on the mat. John Smith pointed and yelled at Mason after he lost to Askren ina dual two weeks ago..."you lost that match before you stepped on the mat!" He yelled, screamed and fumed at him for what seemed like several minutes. He got away with it since the MU band was romping and the crowd was cheering and Mason was sitting on the floor behind the bench. Mason responded by soundly beating Klein the next dual.
A big difference between hs and college is that college kids quit less often after falling behind. If you're a hs wrestler how many times to you get at takedown put a tough ride to a kid and maybe score some nearfall and get comfortable. You rarely get matches like that in college. You can be beating the heck out of your opponent and sure enough he turns into Superman sometime in the match and comes back on you.
Yes, Alex that is bad if you love what you're doing on the wrestling team. What seems like a lot of money to you now won't in 10 or 20 years. I don't know how you put a monetary value on what you get in return for doing what you love. Taking money to give up what you love is bad.
The one I hear the most is that they dont want to waste their senior year. I always try to tell these kids that the things that they will encounter in college, military, real world will blow high school parties out of the water. They need to realize that they have the rest of their lives to work and also that good times dont end once you graduate from high school
Need to lift weights for football,
Need an off-season.
Baseball workouts are starting
What about the infamous I'm tired of cutting weight excuse?
I had a kid never come back after Christmas who was 9-1 at 103 and would have faired very well at State. He was gone for 5 days during Christmas practices and did not want to make up the extra conditioning. I find that most of the time I get no excuse, they just never come back.
But two I do hear often is that "wrestling is just too hard" or "I get to nevous and can not handle the pressure", I sometimes wonder if it is the sport or my practices.
Coach Brown
our 160 pounder said "well what does wrestling do for me anyway?" and walked out...
Originally posted by Gus:
The one I hear the most is that they dont want to waste their senior year. I always try to tell these kids that the things that they will encounter in college, military, real world will blow high school parties out of the water. They need to realize that they have the rest of their lives to work and also that good times dont end once you graduate from high school
I hear that from many kids in all sports at the high school. It seems that they have been competing since they were really young and have kinda burned out. They look at their Senior Year as a time to do everything that they couldn't the year before. Some want to party, some want to concentrate on bringing up their grades, and others just want to relax.
"what about having to quit to keep $2500 in academic scholarships? would that be considered bad?"
Absolutely not bad. There comes a time when sports do have to take second to the rest of your life. There IS life after sports and while all you will learn by participating is valuable...there has to be more on a resume' than "I wrestled." Grades come first. I doubt there will be a regret down the road for making a choice. There is a difference between making a choice and quitting. Choosing an academic scholarship is just that..a choice. A good one.
Originally posted by Bronco Wrestler:
what about having to quit to keep $2500 in academic scholarships? would that be considered bad?
you tell me. I mean I am the academic chair and all.
I started wrestling when I could in federation and up to my 7th grade year. Then my dad took a job in a 1A town and I had to try and play that other winter sport (ugly sight). My senior year I had a choice to stay and finish with my class or go to Colby (and wrestle). NEVER have regretted the choice to go and wrestle one year in HS and all that came with it.
WHAT'S MY POINT??
Those that WANT to - WILL, those that DON'T - WON'T.
Kids now don't realize how much they're losing when they start working and forgo athletics and the real "memory makers" or experiences of school. (Course maybe I was just TRUELY blessed at having two parents that loved, supported and provided me with what I needed so I could enjoy athletics and not needed a job, I mean an excuse...)
NurseKS, u are right there is life after sports, but u have to enjoy your sports while you can. you cant play high school sports forever, u only get 4 years so y quit because of the scholarship. im sure that if the kid was able to keep ur GPA up the first 3 years of high school to be eligable for the scholarship then u should be able to keep it up 1 last year.
Originally posted by c_dawg24:
NurseKS, u are right there is life after sports, but u have to enjoy your sports while you can. you cant play high school sports forever, u only get 4 years so y quit because of the scholarship. im sure that if the kid was able to keep ur GPA up the first 3 years of high school to be eligable for the scholarship then u should be able to keep it up 1 last year.
I was talking about in college. I had a 2.6 GPA and need a 3.5 to keep my academic scholarships. I graduated with a 3.875 GPA in high school, now I have a 2.6.... sorry if I confused anyone.
Originally posted by gutwrench1:
Yes, Alex that is bad if you love what you're doing on the wrestling team. What seems like a lot of money to you now won't in 10 or 20 years. I don't know how you put a monetary value on what you get in return for doing what you love. Taking money to give up what you love is bad.
Alex, I'm not judging you, because college wrestling is a full time venture. However, I agree with Gutwrench about the money issue. It seems huge now, but there are ways to do both. It takes more sacrifice, but it's possible. It drives me crazy when kids quit because they feel the need to buy new rims or stereos. You never get the opportunities that high school sports provide once you are out, but you'll always chase the mighty dollar.
Another thing I can't stand is when parents say they're making their kids quit because of grades. I flat out ask the parent if they are going to make sure the kid will hustle home and study from 3-5:30 every day. If not, wrestling isn't hurting them. More and more, I see parents almost wishing their kids would quit so they don't have to drive them to events or take up their time for their kids sake.
The only excuse I don't question is when kids quit saying "it is too hard." They're honest, and I'm not making it easier. I give them until team pictures to figure out if wrestling is for them. They know if they quit after pictures, they'd better not have team t-shirts on or say they wrestle. They also go on the AWOL section of our ranking board.
This may be the best topic ever posted on this forum! Over the years I have heard it all!!! The last few years I have heard "I am going to quit to get my grades up." Kids that say that always crack me up because they generally are not doing well in class to begin with. They always tell me that they are going to study for those two hours a night after school. I have NEVER seen a kid quit a sport and improve in class. It just doesn't happen.
Another one I have heard is the time honored excuse "I am going to quit and get ready for next year." Wow....I am sure that's the method of choice for the Gables, the Brands, and the Smiths of the world.
The bottom line to me is that kids quit because they find out that it's a lot of work and we live in a society where people tend to run from work. I would love to have more kids out every year (we usually finish with 10-12) but I would rather have my 11 kids now busting their fanny's every day than 20 kids that don't want to work.
That is all.
Numbers are down all across the state. That's one reason that I posted this topic. I am absolutely fed up with excuses. Coach Jilka hit one thought right in the head, and that's that many parents are too lazy to support their kids. Wrestling is tough. Many kids simply can't stand the fact that when they get beat head up, they can't rationalize it by saying that it wasn't their fault. They try sometimes, but that's an entirely different "excuse" thread. I don't take pictures now until around the middle of January. I don't want "quitters" in the team picture. Our kids are serious about getting t-shirts with the names of quitters and the reasons given. I've even ran it past the A.D. I think that's probably asking for a lawsuit, but I have to admit that I love the idea. They want to put a "Hall of Shame" poster on the wall. I think that next year we will do that, and I will make it clear during the parents meeting.
Im using my sons Log to express on how I feel about wrestling in General. My son has been involved with wrestling since the age of 10. He is also involved with football, and baseball. I have watched him mature into a fine young man that I'm very proud of, and support him to the fullest. I helped coach in football, and in wrestling. And I myself have seen what a NON involved parants effect can have on a child, or the ones who seem to get off track,and run with the wrong croud can have. I myself was one that choose years ago to walk away from the sport and used one of those many lame excuses, and trust me I have regreated every minute of the last 22 years regreating it. Wrestling teaches a kid discipline, and self respect, I feel more than any sport that there is. A kid who takes wrestling serious and is involved in other sports are the ones who seem to give a coach his full attention, are the ones who don't horse play at practice, are the ones who ask questions and take criticism to improve, and seems to be the ones who never blame a team mate for anything that went wrong or a lose. My hat goes off to all the kids who hang in there, sticking it out even in their off years and not looking for a easy way out. Because believe me when I say you will regret it done the road, and you will never realize how wrestling and all sports will prepair one for life after sports.
Well said Shelstin. I love that wall of shame/shirt with the quitters names on it. I am sick and tired of busting my butt on underclassman. Get them where they need to be by the time they are seniors and then they quit due to a plethora of excuses. We have been affected due to the "I got to work to save up for spring break trip, so I can get faded" excuse more than any other this year. Of course then a few years later they come to visit and it seems that they always regret quitting their senior year.
Wrestling is not a sport for lazy people. You are going to lose around 12 weekends during the season. You are going to get up early for weigh-ins and get home late. Then do it again the next day. You will put in around 20 hours of gym time during a weekend. Most people casually involved with the sport can not begin to comprehend the time involved, much less the intensity of practices, and when you add in weight loss, it's just too much for most who haven't grown up with it. That's why I feel that schools that are not supported by a strong kids feeder program will always struggle, while those with great feeder programs will always be strong, or at the least re-cycle to being strong when their athletes allow them to do well. I know that a kid that has been pushed too hard by parents when they were young CAN get "burned out", and make them resent the sport. When we have kids drop out in high schol that have been very successful in the kids programs....well...that is very frustrating.
This issue about academics and athletics hits close to home right now. Mr Shelstin probably hit the nail...a little "time management". So I want to tell Alex what I told my youngest son.
Nurse Ks is right - grades must come first. I also firmly believe in life after sports.
However, "choice by default" should always be the exception.
Instead, "choose to find a way to make room for all good things in your life."
"Good living" is all about time management "and character". So it's better to learn "how" now, before you leave High School.
They want to put a "Hall of Shame" poster on the wall. I think that next year we will do that, and I will make it clear during the parents meeting. [/QB][/QUOTE]
Yikes. Sounds like a bad idea to me. Not only regarding potential law suits but if a kid wants to quit - that is their business. Most already feel bad about quitting. Do you want kids to stay with it because they love the sport or because they are afraid about being in the 'Hall of Shame'? Leave the poor kid alone. Wish them well. Everybody needs love. Sometimes it takes wisdom and bravery to know when to quit. Sometimes the dragon wins. I always encourage kids to stick with things and not quit - but if they choose to quit - darn, rats. But life goes on and they will learn lessons one way or another.
In this world we have all different kinds of people. Some will always excell no matter what. Some will fail. Some will do so-so.
I'd concentrate on the ones that stick with it and not focus my energies on the ones that quit. I think trying to guilt them into staying is short-sighted in the long run. I think it will back fire.
I am sure that everyone in here realizes that there is life after wrestling and that in the grand scheme of things wrestling is not important at all. But I cannot fathom quiting ever. I was taught at a very young age that quitting is not an option if you go out for an activity or sport or whatever then you finish what you start. If after that activity finishes and you do not want to come back then fine. But once a person quits it becomes easier and easier. I grew up with a combat wounded father who never allowed me to quit. Were there times when I didnt want to do something that I started? Absolutely but who hasnt faced that dilema. I can honostly look myself in the mirror and know that I have never quit at anything. In this A.D.D. world we live in we have allowed quitting to be normal. Could I have done more, probably. But then again I can only do so much between the hours of 3 and 6
I agree with the many comments made on this topic however, yes, the dragon wins from time to time but thats a simple loss of a match before many to come.... my father always told me to finish something you've started, something you've committed to - It's hard to believe that accepting someone's resignation is ok! how's that prepare that person for life after athletics? There comes a point in everyone's life where you can't quit, you should prepare yourself - before you have a family depending on you. Those should stick with it due soley to complete what they've started - who know's, they could make a turn, but at a minimum, learn it's not alright to quit! Stick with the one's that want to be there - works good till you allow that one person to quit and later find out he's a druggy and is wasting his life! As coaches we have influence, we should utilize it.
This is a very good topic. Unfortunately, the young men who quit are not likely to read this thread. I never accepted the "improve my grades"
excuse, because studies show that students who participate in activities have better grades than the non-participants. On the topic of quitters, I have a rather humorous anecdote. I once had a young man practice every day until Thanksgiving vacation and, of course, he didn't show up for a single vacation practice. Needless to say, I didn't see him again, until we had our first dual and we won convincingly. After it was over he came up to me and pleaded to let him come back out. I did and you guessed it, he was in good standing until X-mas break. So, to make a long story short, I had a kid quit on me twice in one season. I never made that mistake again.
Love the idea of the "Wall of shame"! I also agree that putting actual names anywhere would be a problem. It may even result in this idea being done away with all together. If you just put the quoted excuses and perhaps the one its attributed to as something like "quitter from 2005". Also, a pre-season athlete-parents meeting detailing (especially for kids and their parents that don't know what all is involved with wrestling) all that is involved and what to expect.
Also, IMHO, no time like junior or senior year in high school to be properly shamed. Quitting on your teammates, your coach, your school, and most importantly, yourself (especially in mid-season) IS shameful. Unfortunately, these days, with all the political correctness, hyper-sensitivity, and our excuse-laden society, kids aren't really held to the notion that quitting something like this a bad thing. Can we all imagine what our world would be like if our grandfathers and great-grandfathers were made of what the current culture prescribes? We live in a world where "peace-loving" muslims want to cut off your head and burn down your house because they have been offended...because it will "please" their creator. Quitters and other like-minded ilk should shut-up, quit wasting the time of people that want to make a positive difference, and just move to France.
The bottom line truth is that those that endure, those that keep going, those that stick it out will ALWAYS be successful (especially in our current culture), in most everything they do. Such people should be held in high regard and naturally be an inspiration. Quitters should likewise be held appropriately in low regard.
Excellent post btw, Shelstin! Agreed.
Ultimately, it is not the kids that quit, it is the parents. The Parents don't want to make the commitment. Everyone wants to halfa*s it. They want to wrestle varsity on Thursday and Saturday, but don't want to practice during the week. Those attitudes are caused by parents not willing to grab a kid by the ear and tell him how it is. Those same kids will leave school and expect to be hired as the CEO of a company, rather than starting out as the janitor.
I just hate when their name is on the shirt because every time i put it on i think hmmmm theres a quitter....
Why not take the shirt or the wall of shame idea and turn it around and make it a positve for the kids that do stick with the program?
For example: Rather than make a shirt with the names of the kids that quit and their excuses do something like this....
1. Front of shirt says words to the effect "Are you tough enough to hang with the best?"
2. Back of shirt: "We are!" and then list the wrestlers that make it through the season. (I know the sayings can be better thought out but just trying to show a concept.)
Rather than a "Wall of Shame" how about a wall that says something like "Dog Pound....only the tough survive!" or the "Jungle and we're the kings of the Jungle", list the names of those that stick it out, and then ask "Are you tough enough?"
Just some thoughts to reinforce the positive for the kids that do grind it out and recognize them rather than recognize the kids that quit. I think you will find that you will have more people wanting to be a part of the group and staying rather than leaving.
Just some thoughts.
Good post Shawn. Glad you shared some of your Army values based perspective and that thing called “leadership” that recognizes the value of positive motivation in coaching.
I found it very disturbing that “coaches” (I am using this term lightly), call their wrestlers “pathetic” while others suggest making “t-shirts of quitters” or “walls of shame” in their wrestling rooms. While there are many styles and techniques for coaching kids, any of the above reminds me of something a play ground bully would come up with.
Wrestling is a tough sport and not meant for all. Kids will quit for various reasons and yes it is frustrating to their teammates and coaches. And yes, high school athletics is not the same thing as little league t-ball where every participant gets Kool-Aid and popsicles after every game—we expect a little more out of our high school students.
Than again, high school wrestling is not the Special Forces Qualification Course. As a commander of a Ranger Training Company some years back, I routinely had 5 or 6 Rangers want to quit in a three week period. With some, we took their resignation from the course, because in our opinion, they just did not have what it took to continue. We would wish them the best, and reminded them they could always try again down the road. Some however, we tried to get to the root causes for them wanting to quit (for example, wife just sent them a letter that she wants a divorce, etc.). In some cases, the Ranger Instructors were able to “coach” the potential Rangers to graduation—helping them through their difficulties, leading them to success.
There may be a few examples (e.g. the former Iraqi National Soccer Team under the outstanding leadership of Uday Hussein) that belittling athletes and negative reinforcement has some value, I dought there are many. Ideas like “walls of shame” in high school wrestling rooms has no place in Kansas schools.
I can only hope that parents, athletic directors, principles, school boards, and the Kansas Coaches Association does some self policing on this matter.
For those wrestlers that are fortunate enough to be gifted athletically, mentally stronger than others, have better family settings, or just a little smarter than others, I recommend you lead your teamates by example and use positive reinforcement. Both your team and yourself will be better off.
Mike Flynn
Originally posted by SlammerWrestling6:
I found it very disturbing that “coaches” (I am using this term lightly), call their wrestlers “pathetic” while others suggest making “t-shirts of quitter” or “walls of shame” in their wrestling rooms. While there are many styles and techniques for coaching kids, any of the above reminds me of something a play ground bully would come up with.
Thanks Mike for the big ol' slice of humble pie. Very good post. However, and just for the record, I would not consider a kid quitting the wrestling team because his wife wants a divorce to be pathetic. That would be a fairly serious issue.
P.S. Meet me by the bike rack at 3:15 after school and we can continue this discussion.
I was once on a team that had 28 kids on the first day of pratice and only took 8 kids to regionals. We had one of the best coaches in the state and when he left we got a new coach in straight out of college, and he ran alot of pratices like college pratices.needless to say as bad as that year sucked it felt pretty cool to be one of eight kids in the school who stuck it out for the whole season, regardless of how much it sucked during the season. So i have to agree with everyone when they say there really is no good excuse for quitting unless under extreme cirucumstances. At the high school level at least.
Needless to say we got a new coach the next year and things were better after that.
I'm offended that anyone would compare an idea of a hall of shame with the political assassinations of athletes of an Iraqi regime. First and foremost, this is not a coaches idea. It is coming directly from those that have struggled, sacrificed, and been dedicated enough to stick it out.
Your are welcome Bill.
Mike
All Army Rangers are is Marine Riflemen with jump wings. Their is nothing "elite" about that. That being said Yeah I am always extremely proud of the wrestlers who finish the year and even more proud of those seniors that stick it out for four years. The thing that I am sure that everyone is getting to is that it sucks when all these kids quit because of whatever reason. Mainly because they have learned that quitting is alright. There has been way to many kids with an enormous amount of talent quit because it was tough or that they didnt think they could hack it.
I've heard the excuse Salyer is my dad and he embarrasses me at tournaments and duals excuse used before.
Seems to be too much time and energy spent on those that made other choices rather than supporting those that stick it out. A wall of shame is shameful. Judge lest ye be judged. Some kids DO have to quit to help support the family financially. Let's put that kids name on a t-shirt or wall of shame because he is helping to support a single mom or dad raising a family in today's world of expenses. Doesn't make it right that he or she has to help out, just makes it a fact that some kids DO have to. Life after sports CAN begin in college when you've wrestled for 10 years and mom or dad have worked their tails off to make it to every meet and NOW they say enough is enough and time for a child to accept responsibility for some of their own expenses and GET A JOB! What about those parents who work so much so a kid CAN wrestle or do any other sport that they can't attend any of it because financially it takes all they have to make sure the child has what they need? No more bashing on parents who don't support..yes, there are some who don't. NO more bashing on kids who quit..who is to say anyone knows the REAL reason why? And to Alex...your grades come first and so does your scholarship. Sometimes there isn't enough hours in the day to get everything done. So a choice has to be made. I hope you make the right one for YOU.
My grandpa used to say "coach um up". Don't let um quit. I know that it is easier said than done.
No one would have any resentment for a kid that had to work because of a change of curcumstance in his life. 99% of the kids that quit do not have a legitimate reason that can not be worked around by a coach. They find excuses. No one here, other than possibly gutwrench, has said that grades should come secondary to athletics. What I am beginning to find frustrating is that quitting is becoming so socially acceptable. We live in a society that honestly does not respect hard work, and demands instant satisfaction and gratification. Hey, I know that I am old school. But I remember very vividly my parents demanding that I finish what I start. That began with T-ball, and still carries me to this day. What bothers US is that WE depend on others for OUR success. It's not okay to quit, in anything. We have a 50% failure rate in marriages because people QUIT! We have more bankruptcies than ever before because people QUIT! We have entire populations of people dependant upon the government for support because they QUIT! Are some of them victims of circumstance? Probably. But could they get off of their ever growing butts and find a job, and quit living off of our tax dollars? Probably. To rationalize quitting as acceptable is a politically correct form of weakness, and to accept it as the status quo will not solve the problems that society as a whole is facing. Do we use positive reinforcement? Absolutely. Kids have changed, and successful coaches have to change as well. I think that this is a great thread, and an important one. Will we use a "hall of shame" next year to go with our Hall of Fame? Probably not. But, I still like the idea. No one has ever accused me of being politically correct. Some kids do have a pathetic work ethic. We all have stories of kids from terrible situations that have done very, very well with absolutely no suport from home. We have all "loaned" kids money to eat, or for a team t-shirt at the beginning of the season . If we get repaid that's great, but most don't expect to. We're not in it for the money, but to make a difference in the life of a kid. We do that every day. We lose some that need us. I guess that's the frustration.
What about those kids who are always injured? They might as well quite they drive the whole team nuts. They aren't really injured during the day just during practice.
Got this one off of themat.com, couldn't resist posting it because it is one of the top 10.
Add: I want to spend more time with my girlfriend.
To which my reply has been every state or national champ I've coached had a good looking girlfriend, if you keep working hard to be successful as a wrestler you'll keep her, if you spend less time practicing wrestling you won't win as many matches, and she'll dump you because you are no longer a star.
Big Apple
And I think a wall of shame is not a good idea. I personally believe that postiive reinforcement and congratulating those that did finish the season in good standing might be the better way to go.
I think a very powerful tool would be to take this list of excuses, provide it to the wrestlers at the beginning of the season, and inform them that there are a million reasons and excuses to not do something worthwhile. That excuses are like you know what, everyone has one, they stink, and reality is they have a fear of failure and faith in their abilities, coaches, teammates, or parents that make them want to choose the path of least resistence. Clearing the air ahead of time might keep the kid out that thinks its too tough, or wonders why wrestling is so much tougher than football or anything else they do. Kids will find a way for the coaches to teach them character. Come excuses or highwater.
We had a kid who quit because he didn't want to re-break his wrist that he had broken the year before. But he played all football season and never hurt it. And a week or so after he quit wrestling he decided to go out for basketball . Now he is on JV basketball when he could be our varsity 160.
Shelstin, THAT is the definitive post on this subject!!!
Just re-reading this thread makes me want to again thank those of our grandfathers and great grandfathers (who are still with us) for the example that too many people these days don't follow.
Today, faaaaaar too much is made of being th-ensitive. We've seen some of it in this very thread. Sad really. But, the upside is that those who can, do, those who can't or whine, quit or go home while the hyper-th-ensitive types whine. Shut up or put on a dress and skip off somewhere over the rainbow.
btw, just wanted to clarify, my first line in the above post was referring to Shelstin's last post. Very good!
The socalled wall of shame should actually show the names of the parents who don't support their kids and then move on to list alumni and their peers such as teachers, jr. league coaches,etc that never show up to support theese quitters you speak of. Its probably pretty hard to stay focused with just a handfull of fans in the stands. Its a very sad day when you have to shame a kid for quitting. I like the wall of shame idea for parents,alumni,teachers,or just anyone who should be out supporting a kid or a team in general!!!
Has there been anybody using the excuse I'm D1 football material this year?
I'd just like to know who gets to decide what is a good "excuse" and what is not. I like the idea of giving out a "list" of excuses used, at the beginning of the season, without giving out the names of the kids who used them. No doubt quitting has become too acceptable. And just because a parent is not in the stands does not mean they aren't supportive. It isn't that cut and dried. Who wants anyone on their team with doubts about what they are doing and whether or not they want to be there? If a kids' heart is not in it..let them go. I see many kids who are pressured into sports because parents want them there. The kids' self-esteem goes in the toilet because they aren't cut out for whatever sport but by-golly the parents think they are teaching their kid self-discipline and it will be good for the kid to be in a sport. Some kids quit..some parents aren't supportive. Excuses come and go. What about a list of WHY a kid chooses sports on a t-shirt..something POSITIVE instead of focusing on the negative. An "I choose to participate in sports because....." it helps teach me time-management. It helps build my self-esteem. Give them reasons to choose sports instead of multiple excuses not to.
I would say a good excuse is that they had to help their family out, which has happenend. The kid came back the following year and did quite well. A bad excuse is not wanting to waste their senior year, which translates into going to parties and getting bombed every weekend. I just dont understand how something you put so much blood, sweat, and tears into how you could just walk away because of feeling the need to party. My biggest beef is the upper classmen who quit. Although I do not condone the freshman who come out and give it a try just to quit, I can understand some what. But the fact that you go through all the trials and tribulations, using hard earned money on camps, clinics, and summer wrestling just to quit is terrible. I graduated high school some ten years ago and went to a lot of parties but not during wrestling season. I can say that I did not waste my senior year
Wall of Shame.... against it. If you want to demoralize a student, do it on the mat.
Wall of Fame..incourage it .. I know a BB player cut and is now wrestling.. doing fine. Wall of fame should include most improved, novices, transfers etc.
Excessive Quitting.. look at Coach, school, fans. Is coach concerned about current year winning alone, or building a program? If there is no community support, guarantee not in Program mode.
Burned out.. don't buy it. Main reason kids get burned out is, they are finding something more "fun". Some kids excell in kids sports programs, but hit high school and no longer the best... unfurtatenly has been encouraged and drooled on for being the best for the last ten years (parents/coaches set kids up for failure)
Scholarship.. your talking college.. this is high school...as others say... kids for most part do not study from 3:30 to 5:00.
Family support... don't approve... a parent should find a way to support the family. A child should not have to suffer for a parent's irresponsibility or bad decisions.
Get more kids out... I think this is a serious social problem. Football, basketball, and track programs are hurting just as bad. Years ago an athlete was someone who pariticapated in all sports. Today, we are too focust on one sport, and one winner.
I've talked to hundreds of people who have graduated from high school over the years and not one of them...not a single one, has ever said to me "I'm glad I quit". Doesn't matter what the reason was at the time or what sport it was: wrestling, football, track, whatever. No one ever says " I'm glad I didn't go out, Quitting that sport was the best thing I ever did". No matter how painful things are at the time it never matches the pain or longevity of regret.
I'm glad I quit tennis my senior year. I can still beat Prant, though.
Well said Shelsin.
I had a kid quit a few years ago and the parents went so far as to submit an article in the paper blaming me for their son quitting the team. What they left our of their article was the fact that I had talked him out of quitting two other times or the fact that I spent countless extra time after practice working with the kid on his skills, but in the end it was my fault they let him quit. In retrospect I guess I didn't cuddle him and powder his little bottom to their satisfaction. What was really sad was that the kid started developing a habit for quitting.
I wonder what the ratio of kids quitting today would be if they had the same coaches that we did years ago? Coach Blosser was a heck of a lot tougher on us than I am on my kids, but the difference is we appreciated it. And, I know for a fact I wouldn’t be where I am today if it hadn’t been for him being as tough as he was on me. People can post all the garbage they want on here about broken homes, etc., but all of that is just an excuse. I’ve experienced some of that and if you can’t learn to overcome adversities you have a very little chance at being successful in this world.
Bill Gates' 11 Rules of Life “The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself. “
How can anyone make lame excuses when they look at people like Earl Jones or Kyle Maynard? Let the excuse makers argue against those two examples.
Originally posted by lrod74:
Has there been anybody using the excuse I'm D1 football material this year?
I think a lot of times some of the guys that get the best offers for football actually wrestle during wrestling season. The reason for me believing this is since high school and college seasons run at the same time, it's difficult for a college coach to come see a game live for the real feel of the competition. A video doesn't always give the whole story as many times just "highlight packages" are strung together.
If a DI or other college football coach sees these guys movement on the mats (or even on the court in the case of basketball), they get a feel of their strength and speed in person. Why do you think some NFL coaches take a gamble on inviting "athletes" that have no college football experience to try out for their team? Steven Neal ring a bell?
I've talked to hundreds of people who have graduated from high school over the years and not one of them...not a single one, has ever said to me "I'm glad I quit". Doesn't matter what the reason was at the time or what sport it was: wrestling, football, track, whatever. No one ever says " I'm glad I didn't go out, Quitting that sport was the best thing I ever did". No matter how painful things are at the time it never matches the pain or longevity of regret.
Can I get an Amen?! Exxxxxxxxcellent pointS!
Coach Neil, Also, exxxxcellent pointS!
How about a T-shirt awarded to ALL WHO FINISH the season at an awards banquest at the END of the season, or whatever, that reads something like: "Think you got what it takes? 2005-06
Wrestling Team!"
From Webster's Dictionary, wrestler's edition:
ex.cuse
Pronunciation: ik-skyus
Function: noun
The skin of a reason, stuffed with a lie.
Originally posted by newdawg:
From Webster's Dictionary, wrestler's edition:
ex.cuse
Pronunciation: ik-skyus
Function: noun
The skin of a reason, stuffed with a lie.
I'm quite certain that if you look in the dictionary of all the others sports, this definition is the same!
GREAT POSTS IN A GREAT THREAD!!
The moment we completely remove the element of shame from quitting we start raising a generation of quitters. That being said, there are extremes that I think should be avoided, and posting names on a shirt or poster is probably not the best idea (although it sure is fun to talk about doing it). I think it's o.k. to an extent to shame a kid for giving up as long as you are careful not to cross the line to the point that is becomes ridicule. You also need to consider how well that individual is able to deal with it. In other words; use your head, but that's probably a topic for another discussion, as comman sense seems to have vanished from our society at about the same time as accountability.
I've caught a little criticism for the wall of shame and t-shirt thoughts, and justifiably so. Still, it IS interesting to talk about. Newdog brings up a very good point with his opening statement. I hope that no one here will publicly ridicule a wrestler, although I am sure that it does happen. Wrestlers, by the nature of the sport more than any other in high school, has a tendency to attract a few more at risk kids than other sports. Because of that, we will probably lose a few more.
I agree as with all the coaches below that academics come first, but when they say that once they are done in high school they will be done with wrestling.
Just as a Reminder... Dean Sheets from Desoto Kids is in his 43rd year of coaching kids. That is longer than a lot of us have been alive.
Yes there is life after wrestling but wrestling can be apart of your life.
Coach Sheets is a man that I respect, and I have never heard of him before the previous post. I am sure that he has made a tremendous impact on the lives of countless kids. No high school team can have success without a strong kids program. Great job, Coach Sheets!
Honestly I do not know how any one can comfront a coach and say "I quit."... could have been many times i wanted to this season, but i just CAN'T say those words... 12hours before i first tourny, i was over 10lbs... ya i could of said no screw it. nope i ran it off like any wrestler would... after coming back from christmas break i was 16lbs over, had only a couple days to make weight, still made it. basically im just saying, i agree with everyone who says Quitters are PATHETIC... simple as that.
Jeff Frank HWT Tonganoxie
Sixteen pounds over heavyweight?!?
Here is what I heard this year:
1. My grades
2. The tournaments are too long (this is a big one)
3. I just want to go to the practices...not compete
4. My parents think I will get hurt
Maybe this is why I started this thread. Coaches make a commitment to their athletes, but it seems like commitment works only when it is a convenience for many kids and parents. Not all, and certainly not the good ones.....A day or so before the Goodland dual tournament this year, I got a call from my brother that my dad was in intensive care. He was stable, but I wondered whether to go down or not. Thursday night, he was doing better. I chose to head to Goodland before driving down to see my Dad early Sunday morning. On the way to Goodland, I got a call that Dad had crashed and been placed on life support....a few minutes later we made the decision to pull him off of life support. I stayed at the tournament because I had a commitment to my team. I was committed to them. I felt some guilt about not being with my dad and my brothers, but my first priority at that point was to the 13 kids that I had at Goodland. My administration offered me a ride back, but at that point I was where I needed to be. My daughter was with me as a manager, and it was a tough weekend. My team was well aware of what was going on, we grew up a bit that weekend. It is really frustrating, and yes, PATHETIC, that kids so easily forget the commitment that many of their coaches and teammates give to our teams. Their weak A$$ excuses get old. They are lesser people because of their lack of commitment, and always will be. Their reputation is made. I may like them, but I will probably never respect them. I am very proud of the kids that have stayed with our program. They battle. They wrestle hurt. We will be better next year because of what we have been through this year. Wrestling is a very demanding sport. It's not for everyone, but our society at large embraces mediocrity.
On the opposite end of this I had a kid (Chad Shore) very average wrestler but never missed a practice in the 4 years I had him. Did it pay off yes it did he qualified for state a goal he had set for himself. He was not he greatest wrestler I have ever coached but as far as honesty and integerity he had alot of both of them. He will be a success in verything he does because of the work ethic that his parents installed in him.
Originally posted by Pirate:
Sixteen pounds over heavyweight?!?
yes 16, keep in mind im original a football player. and in football my frame is around 300-315... so i cut quite abit to reach 275
As a former football player, I would recommend getting down to a natural 275. Unless you are 7'5", 315 isn't a very good natural weight for a high school kid.
Just some advice from a fellow fatty.
thank you for your advice... but im pretty much comfortable at this weight... im a pretty athetlic 'fatty' if i can be that big and still be more athletic than 1/2 of my school or 3/4 than im alright
Well, as long as your boob doesn't fall out of your singlet on a regular basis, then you are in good shape for a heavyweight. Good luck at regionals, big'n.