GrandpaWrestler

Can we say that we are getting the best officials at State? Because of the low pay, politics, the bad rating system, and the great way the IHSAA treats officials you have a group of very good officials who will not even sign up for the state tournament. Some officials have to go through the 9 year wait to make it to a State..... some have bypassed this process because of the "politics" within the IHSAA.. the rating system is not working.........

PHSCoach--- I agree the system needs worked and repaired. But when someone disregards the rules when is that right? When it is suppose to be alright to disregard anything that has to do with the wrestlers safety? My problem is with the statement that coach made that showed he had a totally disregarded the rule. And as you know this was suppose to be a part of the coach's ethics. It has to be an age thing. I am starting to have a greater respect for the good coaches in our sport. The ones that teach the true meaning of wrestling. That teach diet, health, weight management and still have time to teach them how to wrestle. That teach them to respect their coaches, teachers, officials, and all of those volunteers that enable us to continue our sport. But I am starting to loose it with coaches who disregard rules. Who agrue loud when they know they are wrong...... because they are attempting to "get something extra" for their wrestler even though they know it is wrong...... who call foul when their wrestler is over weight....... Coach - PHS: I will help you get whatever you need to make this sport safe for our wrestlers. But I can NOT support somone who disregards wrestler safety and then states that they did so........... This person is not a good representative of our sport!!!!!!! Now your question about LaRusssa and 70 homerun season - it might surpreise you but I think LaRussa and Major league baseball were wrong...... but McGwire was a a professional adult........ he has made his choice..... this coach is dealing with minors - High School kids......... and he disregarded an ethics rule....... I am also an adult now who as a kid in the 70's did steriods at the "incouragement" of my high school coach........ and I am paying for it in health issues and cutting 18 -20 lbs back in the day has not helped much either!!!!!!!! I am paying for my youthful ignorance. I want the sport safe for my grandson!!! I have always had a great deal of respect for you and your program. But this Chesterton Coach with his statement and his total diregard of the rules is wrong!!!!!!!!!!!

The coach did not misapply the rule........ he totally disrearded the rule....... a rule that was put into place for the wrestlers safety....... So a coach can disregard what rules he wants???????

I still go back to the "weight management" is a part of the "coach's ethics"!!!!! He stated he violated the rules. Not that he was in the "gray" part of the rule. That he has violated and did violate the rule. He showed that he has NO ethics or honor!!! Baseball problem was not a rule problem with steriods. It was not a rule violation when Sammy, Barry, Mark used steriods it wasn't a rule violation it was an ethics problem. Wrestlings ethic problem is the "weight management" system. The coach did NOT have a problem with the gray areas. He just did not follow a "ethics" situation that has been in place for what 7-8-9 years???? I was around when it did not matter how much weight you cut in a day, a week, or at all. I was also around when steriods was used in High School and college. We have learned a lot since the "good" ol days. But for a coach to pick out what rules, or which coaching ethical situations he will or will not attempt to follow is not good for our sport. I to would normally fight for the coach, official, and/or wrestler. But in this case the coach is wrong. And I do not feel the punshment was enough. My question stands; How can the Chesterton Schoolboard, IHSAA, parents permitt this guy to continue coaching? He has no ethics and did not care he placed his wrestlers in danager.................

Lets discuss the "bear" in the room! Yes there are some gray areas...... and yes there are some problems......... but the problem I have and I do NOT know the Chesterton coach. But if we go back to the article. The coach clearly stated that he violated the rules. That the "weight Loss management" was based upon the coach's ethics and honor. This coach has indicated that he has no honor or ethics. For this reason baseball has a steriod problem and for this reason wrestling has a "weight management" problem. It was not a problem of misunderstanding the rules (or gray area) it was a total lack of respect for the spirit of the rules and the safety of his wrestlers. Can someone explain how he can be allowed to coach next year? For in the eyes of this Grandfather - who wrestled and cut weight the wrong ways...... this coach's total disrespect of the spirit of the rules is just as dangerous as a coach who supplies steriods to the athletes. And to indicate that every coach in every wrestling room does like wise is a slam on the GOOD coaches in this State that attempt to do right by the wrestlers! This coach and his attitude about ethics and honor is a slap in the face of wrestling!

Can anyone tell me who the ref was for the MEC Conference? I see on this board a lot of complaints about the officials. But I thought this guy did a fantastic job!!! I don't think there was a complaint all night. Good signals. Good communication with wrestlers and coaches. Good action - called stalling when necessary. Seem to enjoy what he was doing. I thought it might be one of the best nights of wrestling that I have seen in a long time. Coaches were coaching. Kids were wrestling hard. And fans were chearing. No one thought that they needed to help the official. After the meet he shook hands with the coaches, wrestlers who approached him, and even a few fans as he was leaving. I can not remember a wrestling met without any complaints or gribes from anyone. It was a fun night and fun watching. I guess I don't need to know who he is as much as I want him to know he did a great job. I wish I had told him that last night.