LittleGiant91

Point taken, guys. 

I'll try to use "nicer" words in the future.  My only intention was to present both sides of an issue. Like I said, I think it is a healthy discussion and there is no malice intended toward individuals.

CE

RE:

Concerns:

1. I get no mailings(snail or email) about upcoming events or meetings. 

2. I get no notification of the minutes at the meetings I don't attend. 

3. I get no information on what is going on in the organization. 

1. I regularly get mailings about all clinics. To my knowledge, the business meetings always happen at / in conjuction with the clinic. I will admit that they are often in the evening afterward and I don't often attend them.

2. To my knowledge, minutes are not sent out. Maybe this would be a good idea.

3. Personally, I have always felt that important issues were posted on the message board for discussion and were also brought up at the clinic and/or business meetings. 

I understand your concerns, I guess I just haven't shared those concerns.  I've been happy with the Coaches' Association, but that is just my opinion.

Mr. Hungus, as far as "getting personal" nothing that I posted on my earlier post or this one was intended to attack anyone personally. I don't know Joe or you personally, only from what I see on the message board.  As I said earlier, I'm very impressed with this site and all that you guys are doing for the sport. I felt that the coaches association was being attacked and I was merely stating my opinion that I feel it is a good organization that has done a lot for Indiana wrestling.  To me, it seems like a healthy discussion and I respect your opinions.

Chris Ervin

Y2CJ41,

First of all, I would like to thank you for starting this board and all of the others who are contributing. It is a great thing for Indiana wrestling. I have always enjoyed your posts, Pick'em contests, rankings, and other contributions to the "old" board.  Obviously, you are committed to Indiana wrestling and Indiana wrestlers.

I would like to address your earlier statements and complaints about the IHSWCA. 

"I would love to save the $20 or whatever it is and use it for the wrestling team since I have yet to see any benefit from being a paid, card carrying member of the IHSWCA.  I get no mailings(snail or email) about upcoming events or meetings.  I get no notification of the minutes at the meetings I don't attend.  I get no information on what is going on in the organization.  "

This is my 18th season as a head coach . I have been a member of the IHSWCA for most of that time.  Here are a few benefits that I have seen the IHSWCA produce for Indiana wrestling during my time (and from before my time).

1. The clinics that you mentioned.  The ISHWCA brings in great clinicians twice a year and offers clinics to Indiana coaches in order to improve our knowledge of the sport and to stay on the "cutting edge" of current technique, training methods, etc.  During my time, I have been fortunate to see numerous high school, NCAA, Olympic, and World Champions as well as Championship coaches demonstrate their best stuff.  Where else do Indiana coaches have the opportunity to take in clinics like this at a relatively affordable price without travelling out of state?  Yesterday, I read Dingo's blog about how well Indiana kids did last spring and summer against some of the nations best wrestlers. Where do you think most of these kids learned their skills? From their high school coaches, many of whom attend the IHSWCA clinics.

2. Brute Scholastic Duals - as mentioned by Dingo, the annual trip each spring that offers Indiana's best to showcase their talents against the rest of the country has been organized and sponsored from the beginning by the IHSWCA.

3. Academic All State - The IHSWCA originated this honor and does this as a service to our kids for recognition of their hard work.

4. IN-IL All star meet - Once again, the IHSWCA, in conjunction with the Illinois coaches' association, annually provides the opportunity for Indiana's best seniors to compete with the best from Illinios and showcase their talents for college recruiters. 

5. Perhaps most importatantly, the IHSWCA is the group that is recognized as the voice of Indiana Wrestling coaches by the IHSAA.  Approximately every other yeare, we are allowed to make proposals to the IHSAA to IMPROVE wrestling in Indiana.  Although it seems like they rarely listen to us, here are a few of the improvements that I know to be direct results of lobbying by the IHSWCA.

    - 3 qualifiers from regional to semi-state (1986)

    - full wrestle backs at sectional (when we went to the "large" sectional a few years ago

    - 16 state qualifiers instead of 12( early 1980's)

    - 4 qualifiers from regional to semi state (this year)

  -  placing 6, then 8 at the state finals (instead of only 4 )

  - partial wrestle backs for 5th -8th (hey, it's better than nothing, which the IHSAA offered)

These are  just a few that come to mind.  I'm sure there are numerous others that I am forgetting.  In every one of these instances, the proposals were discussed and approved at the fall and/or spring clinic by the coaches in attendance.  In addition, the IHSWCA annually sends surveys to all head coaches (including non-members) to survey their opinions on issues the IHSAA is discussing.  NONE of the changes above would have happened without the IHSWCA proposing, fighting, and sometimes re-proposing and fighting again for them. Without the association, we would still have single elimination sectionals with only regional champs advancing to the state tournament and a single elimination state finals with the semi final losers wrestling for third place all in one day. 

As far as being rebuffed about getting involved, I am not going to dispute your claims.  I just know that during the time of my membership, the officers have always been open to my suggestions and more than willing for members to participate and get involved.  Joe, if you really want to get involved, I would suggest calling JD Minch (IHSWCA secretary - treasurer) and expressing this interest to him. He is a great guy who is committed to Indiana wrestling. I'm sure that he will help you get involved in the Associaion if you so desire.

Lastly, to address the complaints about the board on the Coaches' site. I don't know the facts, but I have heard that it was a virus that caused it to crash.  I don't know the specifics as to why it has not been fixed.  This is a great forum, but that's no reason for people to bash the old one. Remember, it was started and maintained for many years by the IHSWCA so Indiana wrestling fans would have somewhere to discuss our great sport. Before that board, there was NOTHING! 

Thanks, again, Y2, for this great forum and all you do for the sport.  We can accomplish much more if we all work together rather than against one another. 

Have a great day!

Chris Ervin

Head Wrestling Coach

Crawfordsville High School