2011 State Tournament Will Be @ Frankfort Again

[cgl0505 0]

Frankfort is a great place.  I think the concessions really turned a lot of people off this year. The boys love Frankfort and no one has an extremely long trip. I think it should stay but GET A BETTER FOOD VENDOR.

[Savage 5]

It has been mentioned before to go there.  The problems that were previous stated were the cost to rent it, current rent is free, and some stated there weren't enough hotels in the area that would be able to support it.  Another was that the high school that does all the running for the tickets, is franklin county? not sure.  They wouldn't be there to do it since it wasn't their city so who would take that over?  Is there a high school near EKU that has wrestling?

Richmond has grown substantially in the last several years for anyone that hasn't been here in a while. If there was an issue with hotels and restaurants in the past, it most certainly wouldn't be an issue any longer.

Madison Central has wrestling. I'm not sure but Wes (old PLD coach) was down there as the head coach.

And yes Madison Central has a team, we also have a middle school team that is getting larger each season and about to split into two separate teams, our youth team had close to 50 kids this year, and Madison Southern is supposed to be starting a high school team next year as well.

Wes Watts(former Dunbar coach) IS the coach for Central and Gene Wolf (former Franklin coach in the early 90s) is our Wrestling Director so to speak. So there would definitely be enough people in Richmond to support the event.

Once again..just a though.

[tiltfor3 20]

After being transferred from Ohio to Kentucky, I was appalled that the state tournament was held in a high school gym. I have come to believe that the Frankfort site is perfect. I agree the food was awful this year but, the only reason it should be moved is when we sell it out. Watching the finals again last night was an affirmation of this thought.

The annoucers on the webcast were lacking in their nowledge of the sport as well as being familiar with the competitors. But, they knew they were in for a show. The venue's size has a lot to do with that.

[ForeverFearless 0]

where can you rewatch it?

[Wildblueeyes 6]

you can watch it again on ihigh.com

[DHS171 0]

Freedom Hall will be empty next year, University of Louisville Basketball is moving to the new arena. and Freedom hall could definitely hold the mats.

[Nathaniel Bryan 6]

Freedom Hall will be empty next year, University of Louisville Basketball is moving to the new arena. and Freedom hall could definitely hold the mats.

Holding state wrestling in Freedom Hall would be like holding girls' hoops or girls' volleyball in Rupp or high school football at Commonwealth: Can't afford it. Can't fill it.

Bigger (in these cases the biggest or next-to-biggest in the state) does not mean better in certain cases.

I like Freedom Hall. Go there 10+ times a year for UofL basketball.

Not sure KHSAA wrestling would fill it or could afford the rent.

Would be a LOT closer for me, though.

[Olympic_wish 0]

Holding state wrestling in Freedom Hall would be like holding girls' hoops or girls' volleyball in Rupp or high school football at Commonwealth: Can't afford it. Can't fill it.

Bigger (in these cases the biggest or next-to-biggest in the state) does not mean better in certain cases.

I like Freedom Hall. Go there 10+ times a year for UofL basketball.

Not sure KHSAA wrestling would fill it or could afford the rent.

Would be a LOT closer for me, though.

High school football at commonewealth?  Stx/ Trinity would fill it just fine.

[Nathaniel Bryan 6]

Olympic_wish,

WKU has a nice football stadium and it's not that far from Louisville (straight down I-65). X and T didn't come remotely close to filling WKU in 2009.

http://www.khsaa.org/football/2009/6afinal.htm

Attendance: 9962

Just because ONE specific football game might fill half of Commonwealth doesn't mean the other classes should be held there. Plus, if folks are NOT willing to make the easy drive down 65 to BG, you really think 30,000+ will drive 80 miles to Commonwealth?

I have my doubts.

[Charger Coach 14]

Olympic_wish,

WKU has a nice football stadium and it's not that far from Louisville (straight down I-65). X and T didn't come remotely close to filling WKU in 2009.

http://www.khsaa.org/football/2009/6afinal.htm

Attendance: 9962

Just because ONE specific football game might fill half of Commonwealth doesn't mean the other classes should be held there. Plus, if folks are NOT willing to make the easy drive down 65 to BG, you really think 30,000+ will drive 80 miles to Commonwealth?

I have my doubts.

Yeah, I have to agree with Nathaniel on this one.  St. X vs. Trinity didn't come close to filling Papa John's in 2007 for the Class 6A final and that obviously was in Louisville.  I like the atmosphere in Frankfurt, but just hate some of the amenities there.  As I said, the atmosphere is a plus, so to is the free parking.  But wrestling on 4 mats, the seating and the food are all terrible.

[jbigdaddy 8]

The parking issue was one of the primary problems, in my opinion.  I didn't like the concession food, so I didn't eat it...not so lucky about the parking.  It doesn't seem wise to seek a larger host simply because it is larger.  We did not quite fill-up the Frankfort arena.  The six mat issue would be a good reason to change the venue.  I would love to see the state tournament return to Louisville, but I think the new Valley High School gymnasium would be the right move.  From what I understand, the Valley gym will hold around 5,200, and it will be property easily accessed by JCPS / KHSAA.  Not sure when it is scheduled for completion, but the talk is that ground-breaking is right around the corner.  Anyone have better details about the new mega-gym? 

I will say that I enjoy reading about the various middle and elementary programs around the state.  That is awesome, and I hope my school can eventually make a place for youth wrestling. 

[tiltfor3 20]

Please do not mention sending it back to a high school again. I don't care if it is a "mega" whatever. It is a step backwards. There are no hotels within winter walking distance on Dixie HWY.

[oldwrestler81 6]

I agree That going back to a hihg school lessens the tournament.  The next thing you know, we'll be calling ot off for snow problems

[jbigdaddy 8]

I agree tilt and oldwrestler, but I also cannot be naive about the decision to build such a huge facility.  I imagine both JCPS and KHSAA see some benefit in building this gym, (i.e. high school events, etc), otherwise it wouldn't be built.  If I had my way, we would stay at Frankfort, but see that some of these other issues get dealt with (parking, concessions, etc.).  What I don't want is for the event to go to a new venue and it look pitiful because KY wrestling can't adequately fill it up.  Venue should be 5k - 6k for now, and hopefully in the next five to ten years we are forced to move for more space again. 

[Olympic_wish 0]

Olympic_wish,

WKU has a nice football stadium and it's not that far from Louisville (straight down I-65). X and T didn't come remotely close to filling WKU in 2009.

http://www.khsaa.org/football/2009/6afinal.htm

Attendance: 9962

Just because ONE specific football game might fill half of Commonwealth doesn't mean the other classes should be held there. Plus, if folks are NOT willing to make the easy drive down 65 to BG, you really think 30,000+ will drive 80 miles to Commonwealth?

I have my doubts.

Hey i'm not proppoing i tup as the venue, and you seem to forget the state champ game isnt the one i'm talking about, i'm talking about the annual Stx Trinity game reg season.  Ask a X./ Tri grad, thats the one they goto

[Olympic_wish 0]

Hey i'm not proppoing i tup as the venue, and you seem to forget the state champ game isnt the one i'm talking about, i'm talking about the annual Stx Trinity game reg season.  Ask a X./ Tri grad, thats the one they goto

Fan base 

The 59 St. Xavier-Trinity football games have drawn nearly 1.3 million fans. Top drawing games:

Attendance 

2004 37,500

1998 37,252

2001 36,500

2003 35,800

[Nathaniel Bryan 6]

Olympic_wish,

Sure the X-T regular season game would do well in Commonwealth ... but it would still roughly be half empty.

PJCS was just remodeled/expanded and there will be tons of empty seats next time the X-T face off is held there.

Plus, why would X-T move all the way to Lexington? The further away from the Ville, the less fans in attendance.

[grappler-of-old 44]

Moving it to another high school would be horrible.  The last time we had it at a High school the school did not even have wrestling.  No disrespect to Valley but the wrestling team at Valley is not top notch.  It has improved over the years but as a whole they are not a top notch program.  Do they even fill a full team?  And if so how many times in the last 10 years have they had a full team? 

With that said I still would not want the tournament at a high school even if it was a team the caliber of Woodford Co. or Trinity.  A high school venue is a HUGE step backwards.

[tiltfor3 20]

Yeah, I have to agree with Nathaniel on this one.  St. X vs. Trinity didn't come close to filling Papa John's in 2007 for the Class 6A final and that obviously was in Louisville.  I like the atmosphere in Frankfurt, but just hate some of the amenities there.  As I said, the atmosphere is a plus, so to is the free parking.  But wrestling on 4 mats, the seating and the food are all terrible.

Me thinks one may be neglecting the temperature that day. And, speculate what the attendance would have been if say Henderson County and Paul Dunbar would've been the 6A title game.

[stanmms 4]

I think it's funny how everyone is worried about advancing the sport in KY...it is farther than it was 15 years ago, but is never going to get to the likes of Indiana, Ohio, Florida, etc.  There just are not that many kids in high school for one compared to those states and not as many schools.  The upper level kids are getting better in KY there is no doubt about that and I think that other schools are better than what they used to be too.  If state is 2 days or 3 days it makes no difference to the quality of the wrestlers that win it.  If you go back to district, region, state it wouldn't advance the sport in this state any, it would be a minor decision that noone outside of the state would even care or notice!  If it gets a few more kids to participate because they stand a chance to go to state then good.  What if football went to only 3 divisions for schools, do you think it would affect the quality of the top teams that win state...no.  But it would make a few schools not stand a chance to be able to compete for a state title because they are in a division with some powerhouses.  When it comes down to it, the way to advance the sport in this state is to try and keep all the kids that graduate involved in the sport by either, refereeing, coaching and continue to compete.  It would be good if more youth teams could get started in different parts of the state, that is where you will start to see the advancement of the sport, not with high school.  By then it is too late.  Just my .02

I agree growth starts at the Youth level.  You want growth, look at the history of wrestling in the big wrestling states.  Youth programs have and continue to create legions of new fans as well as many generations of wrestling families.  Youth wrestling has experienced phenomenal growth in Ky with teams from all over the state becoming dramatically more competitive.  Just 4 years ago Conner held a state tournament with barely over 200 kids, JC was next at about 450, Fern Creek-600, and this year's tournament had 800.  Any High School coach that isn't promoting Youth programs is missing the boat and will be left behind. 

[Charger Coach 14]

Me thinks one may be neglecting the temperature that day. And, speculate what the attendance would have been if say Henderson County and Paul Dunbar would've been the 6A title game.

    Me thinks, me wasn't or whatever the hell you're saying.  Anyway, the bottom line is that St. X / Trinity couldn't fill Papa John's on one of the two biggest days of the high school football season (regardless of the temperature) and the venue was less than 15 minutes away from both schools.  I'm not trying to insult either school b/c 15K fans at a football game is fairly impressive so don't take it the wrong way.  I have much respect for both schools especially they're wrestling coaches.  Both are quality coaches and individuals.  Anyway, yes Dunbar vs. Henderson Co would have far less fans, but what does that have to do with what I was saying?

    Point being what both myself and Nathaniel (I believe) are saying is that bigger isn't necessarily better.  Frankfurt is a good place atmosphere-wise to host the tournament.  Move it to a venue twice the size or even bigger such as Freedom Hall and you lose that component which IMO is one of the best things about the tournament.  If the tournament was moved anywhere in Louisville, I would suggest Broadbent Arena right next to Freedom Hall.  It has a seating capacity of around 7K (a little bigger than Frankfurt) and logistically should be able to hold 6 mats.  I guarantee the concessions would be better as well.  But on the other hand, you run into parking issues, etc.  There would be plenty parking, but you pay $6 for each car each day which always sucks.  Who knows, maybe the Fairground Board would be willing to cut the KHSAA a break on cost since the Cards are leaving Freedom Hall and Six Flags is jumping ship as well.  They might need the business.

[Notfromhere 6]

      Who knows, maybe the Fairground Board would be willing to cut the KHSAA a break on cost since the Cards are leaving Freedom Hall and Six Flags is jumping ship as well.  They might need the business.

They definitely do not need the business.  Freedom hall is GLAD the Cards are leaving because they can schedule events that THEY can make more money from (Don't have to give U of L any of it.)

[ForeverFearless 0]

probably already been saaid, but Louisville is like four hours from eastern kentucky without traffic

[CoachK 2]

Wow, 4hours?  I don't know how you drive, but it's 2 1/2 hours max on a good traffic day.  I can get down to Harlan KY in 4hours.  I used to go to Livingston in 2 1/2-3 hours and that is 25 miles past Richmond.  My sister used to commute to EKU from Louisville for 2 semesters and she would do it in just over 2 from where my parents lived so it wouldn't be that bad of a drive for any team here.  But it is far for the Western teams. 

probably already been saaid, but Louisville is like four hours from eastern kentucky without traffic

[wrestler07 1]

belfry to louisville

Trip distance: 231.85373.1 mi Time: 3 hrs 52 mins

letcher county central to Louisville

Trip distance: 218.46351.6 mi Time: 3 hrs 46 mins

Sheldon Clark to Louisville

Trip distance: 211.39340.2 mi Time: 3 hrs 35 mins

according to yahoo maps