The Time is NOW!

[jmart2663]

The beginning of the youth wrestling season here in the North Region has been spotty at best. Tournaments are starting late and running even later. The system for entering tournaments has caused major problems in the first 2 tournaments of the season. So far this season rookie and novice entries have far outnumbered open entries, I say the TIME IS NOW to get youth wrestling in Texas on the right track. If things keep going as they are these new rookie parents are going to grow tired of sitting around for hours to watch 2 or 3 poorly officiated matches all the while being treated rudely and disrespectfully by over zealous pinheads who feel they need to exert their power just for the sake of doing so. Sadly many will simply decide basketball is a much easier sport to enjoy, understand and participate in.
I am in no way throwing this out as an attack on anyone, rather as an indictment of the state of affairs that currently exists in youth wrestling. I know there are many good, no not just good but GREAT, people who spend unimaginable amounts of time working to help make things better. I am throwing this out in an attempt to get a conversation going about the need to better utilize these people, their talents and their desire to promote and improve the sport of wrestling in Texas. There are issues that need to be resolved, most of them common sense issues that reasonable people can work through, for the benefit of the sport and the kids, given an opportunity.
In my opinion the interest in wrestling is undoubtedly on an upswing, the question is how long will that continue given the shaky ground that it SEEMS TXUSA is operating on.
I don't really have the answers being a relative newbie to youth wrestling compared to many on this board BUT I am more than willing to be a part of the effort to improve, promote, advocate and cheer for the advancement of wrestling in this state.
What can we do to take advantage of the current upswing we are seeing in youth wrestling?
What can we do to keep these rookies involved year after year?
How can we keep from losing 60% of the rookies we are seeing this year, by next year?

Let's cuss and discuss and try to come up with REAL, ACTIONABLE ideas that we can move forward with. Let's develop a plan of action that we, as a group of concerned, interested, supporters can use to AFFECT change in the current structure.
Anyone interested in starting an AAU Wrestling chapter in Texas?

Jerry Martin

[DDCDad]

Jerry, can you please be specific on what, "issues that need to be resolved, most of them common sense issues that reasonable people can work through, for the benefit of the sport and the kids, given an opportunity.". are? Maybe someone can give you a legitimate reason for the way things are being done, or maybe not.

[jmart2663]

1. Structure of TX USA is almost totally dysfunctional.
2. It has been my experience that more often than not, and I am only referring to my experience in the North region, that many folks do not put the interest of the kids first. There seems to be a cliquey, good ol' boys network. New parents and rookie wrestlers are thrown into a world of political bs and all they really want to know is why they have to be at a tournament venue by 8:00 am to weigh in then the tournament doesn't start until almost 11:00 and they finally get back home around 3:00 pm. They also wonder why they entered their kid in a tournament and then show up and are told to go home because their kid can't wrestle.(This is almost totally attributable to how user unfriendly the tournament entry system is)
3. The TX USA website is nearly completely useless. As a source of information for those interested in learning about wrestling it is totally useless.
4. My kid started wrestling 3 years ago. Not one day has passed that I haven't heard about, read about or wondered about supposed misuse of funds, people not being reimbursed for legitimate expenditures, donations going unaccounted for etc....! I am sure you have read or heard the stories.
5. It seems many "officials"(not necessarily refs) at local tournaments walk around looking for a reason to gripe at people, throw people out of tournaments etc. Rather than work with people who, many times are "rookies", it seems they would rather threaten them, argue with them or berate them rather than figure out a way to make their experience more enjoyable and welcoming.
6. I don't understand why coaches and refs are not valued more than they are. They are an indispensable part of making this thing work and they seem to be looked upon as a "problem" more often than not.
7. It would seem that new rules were passed at the TX USA meeting this year pertaining to entering tournaments and reporting results. The majority seem to be ignoring those new rules.

Please don't misunderstand I have attended well run tournaments as well. The point I am trying to make is, it seems wrestling in this area and interest in youth wrestling in particular SEEM to be on an upswing. It would be an absolute shame to squander this new interest because the organization in charge can't seem to get it's act together. All I am trying to do is start a discussion where new ideas and new approaches can be discussed that will hopefully lead to positive change. Not because I think it should but because I have yet to have a conversation with ANYONE who has anything positive to say about the way things currently are. I know for a fact I am not the only one that sees or experiences the dysfunction that exists. I am simply one guy who sees the things I see given my experiences. I have read posts on here from people who have obviously been around wrestling for a long time. I have spoken with many people who have as well and it just seems to me that with all the good people out there who are interested in and support wrestling at all levels should talk about ways to make things better. Not necessarily "MY" things but the things that are generally seen by the wrestling community as needing to be fixed, revamped, restructured, or improved. Like my original post said I believe the time is now for TX USA to take a step towards living up to it's potential.

Jerry Martin

[IBSpider]

You make some really good points. I believe change starts at the top, and I dont mean you have to change the person, just change the way he does business. We can no long "sweep things under the rug" like it has been done for a number of years. We need to pull up that rug and sweep dirt out the door.

Why would a state chairman, knowingly know that a board member has done things illegal, and not move to replace that person immediately? (is it because they are good buddies?) It can only reflect on the Executive Board. And we wonder why Texas is such a laughing stock around the country.

I believe that if TXUSA Wrestling would make the first steps to clean up their act, there would be MANY who would step up to help run the organization, the right way, the legal way. But they got to take that first step.

[jmart2663]

Spider that is exactly my point. WE ARE TX USA WRESTLING, so let's get together and take that first step followed by more and take advantage of the of the growing interest in wrestling. It can only be done if we all get on the same page and get going!
I would say though, that change starts at the grass roots and works it way up. I did not start this post to blame Chairmen, or directors or anyone else. I started it to hopefully begin a grass roots level movement within TX USA that can and will help make changes for the better!

Jerry Martin

[jmart2663]

First idea I would like to discuss is, "How can we standardize and improve tournaments?"

Suggestions:
1. Make all weigh in times standard for every tournament.
i.e. Weigh ins are Saturday from 7:00-8:00 am for morning session and 12:00-1:00 for afternoon session. Friday night weigh ins are optional
2. Enforce the no moving weights rule without exception.
In my opinion a bracket should NEVER be redone if it will impact the start time of the tournament.
3. Allow more coaches for teams. Many times mats move slowly because table workers are having to wait on coaches. Allow coaches to designate certain parents to help the club with coaching, especially the rookies, and exempt them from having to get the USA card and the copper card.
4. I know space is limited at most venues and most people and tournament hosts do a good job keeping the space around the mats clear, table workers also generally do a pretty good job of reminding people to back up or move when it is needed, but the attitude that I have seen MANY times from some people is uncalled for. Realize that people WILL crowd around the mats and at best keeping them back a few feet is all that is needed. Relax, parents want to see their kids wrestle. EVERYONE should try and be more understanding of this.


Well it's a start, I am sure many people have many and better ideas and suggestions than I. Can't wait to read'em!

Jerry Martin

[cwilson]

Venues are a problem in this state. When gyms are available, people are unwilling to wrestle. I am used to small get togethers on Friday, Saturdays, and Sundays. Go get three matches in from a 4 man round robin tournament. Everybody gets an award, and everybody feels good when they go home. In an out in about 3 hours (once wrestling starts).

We had big tournaments too, but it seems like every tournament is a big tournament in Texas. That is not good for the rookies. 4 man round robins are good for the development of youth. Big tournaments are good for kids that have already developed there skills. There should be both. Without both, attrition is bound to be high.

I don't have kids in youth wrestling any more. But that is what I see. The way we do it now will produce quality, but quantity is also important. There are a lot of kids out there that don't win as a youth that will turn pretty studly later on. The organization should have something planned to keep kids from getting turned off to wrestling. Never having a chance to get an award is a good way to turn off a kid.

In Iowa, every kid gets an award in every tournament until regions, (which is a real qualifier), and state. Some may goff at the fact that everbody gets an award, but look at what that state does with wrestling. Their kid program is thriving, and they do it with small get togethers all over the state whenever and wherever they can get a space. These small things should be encouraged, but they are not, and it limits wrestling opportunities.

If you want to be successful, go look at a successful organization, see what they do, and do that. There are plenty of good programs out there to look at. If an overhaul is in the plans, a good look at some quality programs would be well worth the effort. Make sure to look before your leap.

[steelfrog]

An excellent suggestion. I tried to do this a couple of years ago, and got a lot of, "We're not Oklahoma" or "We're not Missouri." I agree wholeheartedly with the approach you suggest. Take New Mexico, for example. Most of the clubs are in Albuquerque, a city smaller than D/FW, Houston or San Antonio. They divide up the city each week in terms of clubs, hold 2 tournaments a week, and tell which clubs to go to which tourney each week. Missouri has many many tournaments, small ones, each week. In little tiny gyms with 4-6 mats. Of course Okie--a state with the population of D/FW, has 2-5 tourneys each week, usually a couple of which are novice only. There are many other lessons to be learned from states like Kansas, Georgia, Florida--look at some of their web sites! And, in terms of development, there are several organizations we could either emulate or try and partner with.

[jagfan101]

I agree with the general concept of finding an area or program that is sucessfull and emulate it.

We need a formalized middle school program and that will help infuse structure - we start at high school and build back towards elementary schools. In my opinion, youth wrestling will suffer until we have formalized guidlines to waterfall down from a middle school perspective. Could be wrong.

I also think High Schools have to be part of the solution for youth wrestling - we need to take advantage of the facilities and the mats they have access to. I understand that is easier said than done - legal / liability issues. i'm just saying, given we dont have the venue infrastructure and fan base other states have - I think it forces our hands towards that as part of the solution. Our youth football leagues absolutly utilize school fields routinely - this is not different in principle than that.

And i'm not saying we need to force this on high school coaches - they have full plates. you know - clubs could actually pay for facilities - high schools actually need revenue sources .... Some schools will embrace it, others wont.

nobody expects miricles. I just hope we can make incremental progress over time.

[Hoddy]

We compete in Submission Grappling and Brazillian Jiu Jitsu tourneys several times a year around the country. Most of the tourneys attract 800-1000+ entries. They have a weigh scale at each mat. They call up the whole bracket to the mat at one time. Right before each competitor steps on the mat for his match he steps on the scale. Competitor makes weight or goes home. No exception! I always wondered why wrestling doesnt do the same thing. I think that would cut back on some of the weight cutting also.

Also they usually run each bracket utill complete. No sitting around for hours between matches. Each competitor is required to stay at mat side behind the rope until eliminated or the bracket is completed. Seems to work good for them. How about it for wrestling?