State tournament time table

[Tarzan 21]

Yes kind of a let down ,

Coaches got nice plaques though .

[Babette 24]

My son was a KY MS State Champion last year and he was definitely treated better that the KY HS Champions! Nice singlet with 2013 State Finalist down the front, a huge medal and a large bracket to show who all he beat to become a KY MS State Champion. It is a shame that in KHSAA will glorify football and basketball to the inth degree but not value wrestling the same way.

[Tarzan 21]

Well time for parents / coaches / teams to step in and fix it if they have to each team should donate for medals of normal sise and a bracket , singlets for finalists are awesome .

You can't worry about what you can't control but you can worry about what you yourself can do always ways around issues

[takedown wins 0]

I will encourage my athletes and parents to not buy anything at the state tournament in protest.

I think we need to get politicians involved!

[Tarzan 21]

Getting people to not buy anything there will not be a problem but now I'm sure they will double check everyone and make sure no one brings in any drinks - food etc !

[bumstead 13]

 

Let's setup a tailgate party outside the arena in the parking lot. We'll have brats, hotdogs,hanburgers, drinks and such. for anyone who does have to purchase a ticket, they can come outside and enjoy FREE refreshments.

 As long as the ticket purchase allows re-entry into arena and as long as nothing gets SOLD/PURCHASED what could they do?

[Coach_Diaz 3]

This is the email that I just received from Mike Barren

 

 

Nothing done in the event management that the staff does here is done on a whim, it is carefully reviewed and considered, with the kids and safety elements being the number one concern. Any changes developed by the staff, factor in many more issues than a finals schedule.

 

We feel that this takes nothing away from the championship match and its competitors. They still get the recognition of being the two who wrestle for the title, whether it’s one of one match, or one of four matches. And they will get the ability to be the one standing on top of the podium as number one. And the only one able to say that.  As always, these events are reviewed in depth following each competition, and I am sure there will be such a review after this one as well. We will strive to find how we can increase the experience for everyone.

 

 

Hope you continue to support the event. Safe travels and stay warm.

[Coach_Diaz 3]

And let me point out as I pointed out to bot him and Tacket, that the basketball teams at the sweet 16 tournament DO NOT play simultaneously on different courts to get that event done any faster.

[KeepOlympicWrestling 1]

Below is my letter to Mr. Tackett and Mr. Barren..... doubt anything will happen, but if enough people say something maybe it will.  I am going to send this to our local sports talk show and also to the Jay Mohr national talk show as well - he was a high school wrestler and talks about wresling several times.    

 

 

"Dear Mr. Tackett and Mr. Barren,

 

Let me begin by saying I am not a wrestling junkie, I am a wrestling fan solely because my son decided to get involved in wrestling two years ago when he started his freshman year in high school.  

 

He is not a stellar wrestler and he definitely won't make the finals in the State Championships next week (heck, he might not even make it out of the regionals) but regardless both of us will be attending the matches next weekend.  

 

I have attended the Championships the past two years and am amazed at the venue and the enthusiasm of the crowd.  It is a great atmosphere to experience - I only wish we had more fans attend - but that is another topic.

 

As a parent and as a fan of the State Championship format, I am grealy disappointed that the KHSAA has decided to eliminate their policy of having the finals take place on center mat one at a time.  I believe that the KHSAA move of having the Championship match take place at the same time three other matches are going on is quite a disservice to the wrestlers, the sport of wrestling and to high school athletes all over the state.         

 

At the finals it was quite exhilerating to see the finalists walk to the mat with their faces on the big screen and their names and stats read aloud to the crowd with buffer music in the background.  It gave the place a true "Big Match" feel and added so much to the tournament.  In a state where basketball rules and most wrestling matches are lucky to have a dozen fans in the stands this is the chance to honor the athletes and reward them for their blood, sweat and tears.

 

I was told that the reason for the change is "safety" for everyone so they don't travel home too late.  Really?  In KHSAA Football during the playoffs it is not unusual in the quarterfinals and semi-finals for teams from the Eastern time zone travel 2 hours to the Central time zone for a 8:30 Eastern /7:30 Central game.  The game is 2 hours long then 30 minutes for coach talk and getting the buses loaded puts the players back on the bus at 11:00 Eastern with a 2 hour drive back to our school and then another 20 minutes back to our homes getting us home close to 1:20 in the morning.  I know this because I have done it.

 

I feel this change is negative for the sport of wrestling and I urge you and your committee to rethink this policy.   

 

Thank you,"

[leroy34 1]

If you don't mind me asking what are the cost of the middle school medals.  We have done a sponsorship every year for the state wrestling tournament and if possible I would much rather donate money to buy quality medals.  Also what is the time frame on getting medals.

[VisionQuest 64]

Don't know the cost of the middle school medals but the high school medals cost a whopping $2.38 each.  This amount came from the KHSAA website.

[Irish Wrestler 10]

I contacted WKYT in Lexington yesterday afternoon.  Below is the response I got from them.  Sounds like the KHSAA is talking out of both sides of their mouth.  Telling parents and coaches one thing and the media another.........

 

Rob Bromley forwarded to me your email about the new format at the state wrestling championship.  I spoke to Joe Angolia, the KHSAA’s Sports Information Director.  He says Commissioner Juilan Tackett has received several emails and phone calls about the changes, and Tackett and assistant commissioner Michael Barren are in discussion about the changes.  Joe said the KHSAA will release a statement about the changes soon.

[zaniac 11]

Don't know the cost of the middle school medals but the high school medals cost a whopping $2.38 each.  This amount came from the KHSAA website.

I would be surprised if they cost that much!! Embarrassing. If my kid ever places at state I will buy him a proper medal.

[navywrestler125 0]

Done

[zaniac 11]

https://www.facebook.com/pages/KHSAA/120082242482

 

Let KHSAA know how you feel. You can also rate them 1 to 5 stars haha.

[Wildblueeyes 6]

Wow, they are spending a whole $267.00 on those medals.  At an entrance fee of $25.00 (I'm guessing at that) it only takes 10 1/2  spectators to pay for the medals.  Just think how much they will rake in next weekend.  Oh I know they have officials expenses, but there should be no overtime for KHSAA workers because it is part of their job!

[Keepyourheadup 10]

If you don't mind me asking what are the cost of the middle school medals. We have done a sponsorship every year for the state wrestling tournament and if possible I would much rather donate money to buy quality medals. Also what is the time frame on getting medals.

ranger or bearcat coach would know that

[hoehn.marcus 22]

The KHSAA just released this statement.

 

For nearly a year, the KHSAA staff has been working and preparing for the upcoming state wrestling tournament. After evaluating the last three to four years of tournament schedules and activity, three major problem areas were identified that needed immediate resolution:

• The “break” prior to the last wrestling round had to be eliminated, or certainly minimized. The circus atmosphere that had developed, which some may have viewed as fun, in fact resulted in at least five individuals being hit by thrown objects, including two police officers. Coaches and other adults refused to take charge of the situation, and in fact participated in many cases. And despite having more than double the security staff as had ever been in place in the previous facility, the situation came to a point where the future ability to retain security assistance from trained and sworn police officers was in jeopardy, as well as the future use of this venue. That concern had to be addressed.
• Many senior school administrators expressed concern that the lateness of the conclusion of action on Saturday, especially the last couple of years, put them in a position of having to stay an extra night in hotels, with the necessary supervision and expense logistics. While this may not be an issue for local schools in close proximity to the arena, it is a huge issue to the administrators who fund the housing, bus drivers, and other travel costs for a team that cannot make it back at a reasonable hour on Saturday, and therefore feel compelled to stay an extra night.
• The lateness of that Saturday hour also had another negative impact, although perhaps not as critical as the first two issues. Due to the lateness of the conclusion of wrestling, the students, coaches and everyone else involved with the tournament received much less of the promotion and media coverage that they so richly deserve and for which the staff spends nearly the entire year trying to generate. The lateness also has a profound impact on the ability to alternatively schedule should inclement weather occur, and this is a major concern for winter events.

These concerns were brought forth to a large number of people, including the Wrestling Advisory Committee (a group made up primarily of coaches), individuals from other states, national wrestling experts and many others. In the end, the coaches were steadfast that they desired to adhere to one of the fundamental principles from which the tournament schedule has always been drafted, allowing the coaches to not have to cover multiple mats during the medal rounds.

With that feedback, staff developed a revised schedule for 2014 that would have ensured the coaches covering only one mat during the medal round, but a schedule that would have combined the medal matches into a single round, and would have specifically addressed the three identified problem areas.

Once that information was finalized and produced in preparation for the state tournament, the members of the Advisory Committee received considerable feedback from the wrestling community asking that this decision be reconsidered. Committee members concurred with the need for immediate further revision to the schedule, even if it meant the coaches having to “double up” on simultaneous matches during the medal round.

Based on this request from the committee members to create a schedule where coaches might have wrestlers involved in matches on multiple mats during the medal round, staff has revised the planned schedule for the 2014 event in an effort to be responsive to the committee’s requests. The members of the committee also asked for an opportunity to emphasize to their traveling school parties about the need for a change in conduct. The schedule change however is for the 2014 tournament only, and the future schedule will be predicated on the ability of the three identified problem areas to be addressed within the schedule. Coaches and all adult attendees must insist that the conduct within the arena be controlled, respectable and befitting of the fine traditions of this great sport. Security will be directed to have a no-nonsense attitude about individuals throwing objects or inciting fans into negative and perhaps injurious behavior within the arena, and violators will be escorted out of the building. The schedule and adherence to the schedule will be closely monitored to determine any future enhancements or revisions. Suffice it to say that repeats of the identified problem areas again in 2014 will result in substantial changes for future years.

It is hoped by both the staff and the members of the committee that the problem areas can be addressed within the wrestling community and that the tournament can continue its growth and development for all involved.

[Josh_Claywell 52]

So they're mad fans get into a frenzy before the finals begin. That's about all I took from that release.

[hoehn.marcus 22]

So they're mad fans get into a frenzy before the finals begin. That's about all I took from that release.

I agree. As someone in another thread stated, much of the uproar and confusion could have been eliminated if the KHSAA had been upfront with the issues they felt needed addressed. They seem to have taken the long way around and put in place unnecessary mandates in order to address a problem that could have easily been solved with a candid conversation. They made time the scapegoat to justify a war on "the celebration."

[cmccoy 4]

There were two main issues. First and foremost was School Superintendents were not happy with how late things went and teams traveling. They were pushing for the KHSAA to make changes to the time table, any way possible, to ensure and earlier end. The other issue was safety before the finals. The great thing is we can fix the 2nd issue by not "partying" prior to the finals. The KHSAA and Coaches Association worked to fix the first issue the best we could.

[leroy34 1]

Before we get in another precarious situation like we did this year can we come up with what is acceptable.  While the finals celebration has seemed to increase in intensity every year I believe some celebration is in order.  I have brought my fair share of beach balls, streamers, glow sticks for kids the past several years but agree toilet paper and other objects could cause problems.  cmccoy what would you deem acceptable?   Then we can get with our fans prior to the celebration and tell them what will and will not be tolerated.  As parents I guarantee we will not have a problem policing our kids before we let the state finals match not have its special place in the spot light. Lets not kill the excitement i.e. (beach balls)  just curtail it.   Thank you for your time.

[plantmanky1 58]

Just so everyone understands the medals the KHSAA gives out for wrestling are the same size as the ones they give out for all other individual sports (they have to be for Title IX Compliance.)  They cant just give bigger medals in one sport and giving bigger medals will increase the cost in multiple sports and activities.  

 

The reason the Middle School Medals are "different" than the High School is that the middle school association is independent of the other sports and can do more things as far as awards.  

Before we get in another precarious situation like we did this year can we come up with what is acceptable.  While the finals celebration has seemed to increase in intensity every year I believe some celebration is in order.  I have brought my fair share of beach balls, streamers, glow sticks for kids the past several years but agree toilet paper and other objects could cause problems.  cmccoy what would you deem acceptable?   Then we can get with our fans prior to the celebration and tell them what will and will not be tolerated.  As parents I guarantee we will not have a problem policing our kids before we let the state finals match not have its special place in the spot light. Lets not kill the excitement i.e. (beach balls)  just curtail it.   Thank you for your time.

 

 

I dont understand why there needs to be a celebration of any kind, never understood the whole ordeal.  Its like its been acceptable to all participants/coaches and parents to act like misfits before the finals.  

So they're mad fans get into a frenzy before the finals begin. That's about all I took from that release.

Wouldnt you be?  Hosting a state Championship and fans and others act like misfits that never get out in public.  How does that make the sport look respectable?

Don't know the cost of the middle school medals but the high school medals cost a whopping $2.38 each.  This amount came from the KHSAA website.

 

More than that, however the MS association gets a very good deal by using the same vendor for those medals (plus districts, regionals, & State duals) and all the youth medals together in one package.  

[grappler-of-old 44]

I dont understand why there needs to be a celebration of any kind, never understood the whole ordeal.  Its like its been acceptable to all participants/coaches and parents to act like misfits before the finals. 

 And someone called me grumpier-of-old

[cmccoy 4]

If you think it will jeopardize the time table for next year.....don't do it. I f you have to ask will this go against what they want, than don't do it. I really don't know what can and can't be done. I do know this. While they are moving mats for Finals, we will be doing some awards so there probably won't be much time to start a big celebration.