Robert.Dezember

There is only two ways to build wrestling numbers and that is start Elementary wrestling or have a dedicated coach in the middle school program. I have seen a few programs in Indiana that were tough as nails without Elementary wrestling. Evansville Central had a four year string of very tough teams and had no elementary program. Their head coach was a PE teacher at the middle school. He taught wrestling in class. He did that for 5 or 6 years. Had about 45 kids on his middle school team. They were very good athletes as well. James Brimm was a State champ for that group, went on to wrestle for Michigan State. As a matter of fact the head coach was not very knowledgeable about wrestling. He was a great salesman. He did a great job of recruiting. He also coached 8th grade football. Later on he accepted a PE job at the high school. Their program went down hill fast. I'm a true believer of an elementary feeder league, just like little league baseball, Pop warner leagues and the rest, but a strong positive middle school coach is the best option. I really feel if you want to coach wrestling at the high school level and your trying to build a program, you need to be in the classroom in the middle school. It's a tough job, but I promise you will build and retain kids better. I believe your supper stars and supportive parents come from the elementary leagues. I just don't understand in Kentucky why parents want a high school program now. I think it would be a grave mistake to start a high school program without a solid middle school foundation. You could even hurt your chances of keeping the high school program as well. If I were younger and wanting to start a program, I would teach at a middle school and I would wait for two years before I would begin the high school. Good support from football can help, but don't count on it.

Wouldn't be neat if we could host a state dual tourney at Western Kentucky university and have three divisions with with 27 teams showing up. Maybe this could also help to influence local people to question and maybe even start programs in that region of the state.

I really think we should keep the large school/small school format. I'm not opposed to even starting a third division. (Small, medium and large) I do think it creates a lot of exposer to more schools and helps more programs across the state, Although I feel we should use a coaching system employed by the IHSAA wrestling coaches association. I don't think we need qualifying tourney's. Schools for each division is done by school size and rank. The association can vote and place schools by strength in divisions which they can compete. I think this is a win win for all. If your team would win 1a, 2a or 3a, wonderful!! Also, 3A is now guaranteed to be the best. More schools will take home more hardware and will be recognized in their community and we also will know the best dual meet team in the state. I've seen the formula Indiana uses and I'm sure it can work for Kentucky. I also feel this meet needs to be done in the same location. The bigger the better. Indiana is thinking about using the Ford center in Evansville next year. Owensboro has a nice gym that can work well for this, but I'm sure their are other facilities around as well. Lets look at how Indiana does their Dual State Tourney. Lets try and develop a solid tourney that brings in a lot of teams and is balanced.

Indiana allows schools to move up divisions. They must meet certain criteria. Rankings, ect. I know Mater Dei is 2A, might even be 1A for state duals, but they compete in 3A. I'm sure we could come up with something to allow this to happen for schools who wish to compete in a larger school division.

Union County will be hosting a dual meet tourney on Nov. 14. All wrestlers including JV's will get to wrestle. All teams should get at least five matches. As of present we only need one more school. We have a few tough Indiana teams coming as well. Mater Dei is one of them. Please contact Bob Dezember at Robert.Dezember@union.kyschools.us if interested. Thanks, Bob Dezember

Union County will be hosting a dual meet tourney on Nov. 14. We hope to have 6 teams with one team made up of alternates. If your interest please call me or email me at: Robert.dezember@union.kyschools.us or 812-598-0096. Thanks, Bob Dezember

Union County High School has an opening for a head football coach. Contact Robert Ervin at 270-997-0203. He can help you with who to contact.

There is a mat for sale in Indiana. Check out www.Indianamat.com and go to the forum site.