Neccdad

Wasn’t sure if Purdue and Northwestern would switch back or stay where they were in the rotation after the last time. Water main break damaged the floor so they let Northwestern take it that year. Also not sure why Penn St. would get to host again already. Luck of the draw. Rutgers, Maryland and Nebraska were put at the end of the rotation and had to wait several years before being able to host. I don’t see the difference. Either way, I’m glad it’s back in the Midwest next year!

1 hour ago, Patrick Collier said:

Of course Evansville embraced the State Finals, there is nothing else going on in that town.  Indy is a much more logical permanent location.  I really disliked the Friday schedule and format.  The crowd size appeared to be down considerably, lots of empty seats in a half-sized arena.  Will wait to see official numbers from IHSAA.

Usually the attendance is announced during the finals but I’m guessing that would have caused some embarrassment so it didn’t happen. The number that will get put out will reflect people buying several tickets they didn’t need and people getting multiple tickets just so they could leave and come back in. Pretty bad turnout for the finals. But I get it, if you’re traveling to the other side of the state you have to make some choices.

Just got absolutely bent over by the IHSAA and Ticketmaster for over $150 for 2 tickets, by session, since the “all session” wasn’t bringing anything up. I’m happy to be going so the money isn’t a big deal to me. It’s that every year we ask if they’ve fixed the ticket issue and they just refuse to do it. Best ticket experience of the state tournament so far was at the Fort Wayne Coliseum where I waited in line to buy a general admission ticket. Unbelievable, and yet totally expected.

Crowning paper champions...gotta love it!

Gotta love the people that want to fix the best tournament the Ihsaa puts on!

Wrestling: What men do during boys basketball season!

Just from a fans perspective on this…I’m a no thank you! I think Indiana wrestling is the best tournament the Ihsaa puts on. It was better before online ticketing…but it’s still the best tournament. Adding a name to the wall, hosting a pep rally, community excitement…all more special because of how hard it is to get there right now. There’s a certain level of classed wrestling that eventually brings in a “participation trophy” conversation. It’s easy to bring up the kids every year that “should” make it, but what about the kid that gets last place in each class. One of those kids went to state only to be determined the what…64th overall (or maybe lower) best kid in the state at that weight? And they should be on the wall? All I’m saying is there’s a certain level of this that everyone fails to bring up, every time. I respect the question though and I’m glad you brought some facts and numbers to the table.

Any updates?? We were told it would be announced during state week, then a few weeks later…it’s been more than a month. Even if every detail is not 100% finalized, it sure seems like they could at least announce a location.

Is the IHSAA going to reimburse some money for the obstructed view seating that no one was aware of?  These scorers tables for mats 2 and 3 are a problem for anyone sitting on the west side.  Looks to be plenty of room to move these against the the side which would not block anyones view.

1 hour ago, Websterk149 said:

By any chance is anyone selling some All Session tickets or all Saturday ones? I have been checking and checking Ticketmaster and messaging ppl on here when I see posts but I still have not had any luck! If any has just 1-2 spares to sell me, idc if you even add on some money to make yourself a profit at this point. Text me at 765-524-4067 please and thank you so much! 
 

This state ticket experience has been the absolute worst and this sure as hell doesn’t help grow out sport!! What casual fan would deal with any of this?! We keep having the “class wrestling” debate but maybe it’s time we have the “does ihsaa even care?” Debate 

Preach brother! There are people on here that think it’s great.  Only sport that gets treated like this!

Defending the IHSAA and saying this is the best way to handle things is ridiculous.  We can buy tickets to basketball and football state finals more than a month in advance before any parent has any idea their kid is going to be in the game!  This argument is indefensible!

Correction…Friday morning (the 14th)

Anyone hearing any good news on a better handling of state ticket sales this coming season.  I’m asking in hopes that some early attention might light a fire under the Ihsaa to be much better than what happened last year.  I’m also asking because once again, starting tomorrow morning I can buy a ticket to both days of the state football games without having any idea who’s playing, but have heard no reasons why Ihsaa can’t do the same for state wrestling. Committing to a hotel room for 3 nights is a tough pill to swallow without a ticket for a seat in my hand.  Hoping some of you coaches have heard some good news that you could possibly share.

I remember a commercial the new Ihsaa president was in and he said “this year is about bringing back the fans to Ihsaa athletics!”  And this is what we get again!  Bobby Cox please come back, we need someone that actually cares about the wrestling fans, not just the parents that are there to watch 1 kid and then leave!  Some of us like to watch all of it…sell an all session ticket!!!  If I don’t show up, who cares, you got my money!!

This is so dumb!!  Hey everyone get your hotel rooms without even knowing if you can get in to watch…makes sense

This years state finals is not even operating at 25% capacity.  Can you even imagine how much more terribly this weekend would have been handled if we would ever water down the greatest state finals championships in Indiana by having multiple classes.  If this ever happened I would only want to see 2 classes with the final 4 of each class wrestling on Saturday against each other.  Just my opinion, as a way to still have 1 champ. And definitely no wrestlebacks except the final 8.

Couldn’t get anything, wonder how many parents that already got screwed also didn’t get tickets this morning?!  So not going to state but in a few weeks I’ll see thousands of fans allowed at the basketball finals...nice!

I had a passcode and it didn’t work so I guess I’ll be canceling my room that I get charged tomorrow, definitely not buying a room with no tickets.  Hopefully Wednesday will yield a third level view at least...

Sorry about the auto correct. My point was missing something on one mat when you may be watching another mat.

I would encourage everyone wondering about class wrestling to head up to The Palace to in a few weeks to see Michigan's state finals. For a state to have several of the best wrestlers in the country every year, you would rarely know who they are because of the mess that comes with class wrestling. 12 mats, mass confusion, ridiculously hard to follow. It's all about that certain few kids that you are there to watch. I like to watch it all, I'm a fan of great wrestling. I have 3 wrestling fans from Michigan that come with me to see Indiana's state finals because, as they say "It's where it's at". We have allowed the ihsaa to ruin what the entire country knew was the best basketball tournament, let's not encourage the same with what has now become by far the BEST tournament our state has to offer. It would be a far reach to assume the ihsaa would only have 2 classes. It would be 3 or 4. The Finals are also held at the same time in class wrestling, I'm not a fan of wondering who just won a state title on May 3 when I wax keyed in on Mat 1. Get on YouTube and check it out. If u want class wrestling because your child goes to a smaller school and you think they would have a better chance that's understandable, however there are a lot of us out there that will be engaged in the sport long after said child is gone. Let's not fix it if it's not broken. I can just see the posts on here from parents of state champions ranting because there kid has never received a scholarship offer, because in reality a college scout or coach will see the real potential and talent level and it may not be good enough, even though you are a state champ. Kudos to the IHSAA for getting it right!