I read an interesting article today from USA wrestling. This might shed some light on the silly debate about letting kids wear something besides a singlet. My opinion is that a certain people that had their own agenda about changing the middle school uniform. Stating safety issues blah, blah, blah.
Hopefully the opinion of some very well known wrestling coaches will carry some more weight than people who have probably never wrestled a day in their life. I know this is a little out of character of me to be so outspoken but I think we need to embrace some changes in our philosophy as a wrestling community. Anyone that knows me will tell you that I want what is best for the kids. I have had a wrestling facility at my house for years and have always welcomed any wrestler to practice at my house regardless of the school they attend or if they are even direct competition to my son. I have also devoted a lot of time working on rankings, camps at my house, and even the 2nd All-Star dual which is not profitable. Just ask Ranger. All with the intention of making kids better.
I have been lucky to make some great friends which include kids, parents, and the guys I have coached with for years. These have been some of the best years going through this journey with my son and my fellow coaches, parents, and wrestlers.
My point is that I would love to do anything possible to get other kids to participate in the sport. Maybe the kids and their parents would have the opportunity to share some of the great experiences I have had during my journey. For anyone that has traveled all over the country as a group understands the bonds you create with people. Lots of stadiums, gyms, cramped cars, and hotel rooms.
So if we could gain just one more wrestling family by giving them the option to wear a compression uniform, I say do it. We need to implement change and quit finding all the negatives about it.
I will get off my soap box now but I do feel better.
http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2016/September/29/It-Is-Time-for-Wrestling-to-Ditch-the-Singlet