I have heard lots of complaints about the current site, the Horse Park.

Where are some other facilities that could realistically be used for the State Tournament?

Bank of kentucky center at nku

Any of the public Universities: Western Kentucky, Murray State, Eastern Kentucky, Morehead State,  or Freedom Hall/Broadbent Arena, Owensboro Sports Center. Of course we could test the Basketball gods and ask for Rupp.

I think the Bank of Kentucky Center would be a great place to host the state championships. 1st class facilty

Rupp would be awesome .

Im pretty sure the KHSAA is under contract with the Horse Park. Not sure how long is left on the agreement, but changes need to be made if safety is really a concern of the KHSAA. I need to buy stock in allergy medication after this past weekend.

Freedom Hall would be my pick. KHSAA does their damndest to take state events out of Louisville for some reason....maybe part of the Lexington to Louisville snobbery. Football moved out of Papa Johns, basketball, soccer, cross country, and baseball state tourneys are all in Lexington!!! A friend of mine has two kids in cross country who told me the traffic in and out of the state meet was absolutely ridiculous due to only one way in and out. What is sadly never taken into consideration is Louisville is very centrally located and can accommodate any number of people. I would venture to guess many additional people would choose to stay Saturday evening in Louisville. Once again, I'm sure it all comes down to the almighty $$$ with the KHSAA elite.....or safety!

Freedom Hall would bring a breath of fresh air to the tournament.. Literally speaking.. I believe eventually we would fill most of the seats there..

The Horse Park isn't too bad...we may just need some logistical changes.  One of the things to see, however, is what a new venue would allow for our finals.  And let's try to keep it fairly centrally located.

Freedom Hall sounds good. Or even Broadbent Arena! The Old Louisville Gardens would be sweet. Plenty of hotels & restaurants within walking distance. Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk

I could be wrong, but I remember someone telling me that the KHSAA looked into Freedom Hall before signing with Altech. The problem was that Freedom Hall/Fairgrounds staff wanted $5 per car. And that wasn't a weekend pass either, $5 EACH AND EVERY TIME YOU CAME IN. So if you wanted to leave and come back, it was $5 again. Not exactly someone many of us would be willing to do I'd wager, especially with the concession prices as high as they are. YUM! isn't owned by UofL either, they just rent it for home games.

Now, I 100% agree we need to get out of Altech ASAP! I haven't had such a bad allergy problem for as long as I can remember. WKU is an idea, but IDK how helpful they would be. That area is extremely basketball prejudice. It would be nice if Elizabethtown built an arena, but I don't see that happening. Memorial Coliseum at UK has the seating, not sure about floor space for 6 mats though.  

It isn't centrally located but the Owensboro sports center is nice and cheap

Lex is central located

90% of the Kentucky wrestling community is within an hour of either NKY or Louisville--sorry Union and Johnson Central. Makes logistical sense to have it in one of those places to me.

Something needs to change

10$ for a hamburger and Pepsi way to high..

Rupp or Freedom Hall are way too big for the current fan base following at States.  Then again if the pricepoint were changed perhaps that would be different as well.  Although I'm in Lexington, it seems to me the most sense would be anything along the Ohio River as that is where the state's wrestling strength is primarily as well as the most fans.  There were 5 lexington schools there this weekend and I think all together the number of fans there in support were outnumbered by 2 schools along the Ohio River (Union, Campbell).  Plus the arena size of say an NKU makes more sense for where the sport is right now.  Beyond that I would say the horse park in general does not seem to appreciate the tournaments presence.  It feld like we were just a bother to those at the arena even though the group seemed very well behaved.

I like the idea of rotating the venue between Lexington, Louisville, Northern KY, Richmond, Bowling Green and maybe even Morehead, Owensboro, Murray. I think All state sports championships should rotate if the facilities and hotel accommodations would support it.

I think rotation is a good idea also, as more local people may attend just to check it out and get hooked on the greatest sport around.

Based on my very brief and fairly one sided conversation with Mike Barren it is 100% evident the KHSAA doesn't give a crap about any of our thoughts or concerns. I think the finals "reconsideration" was more driven by coaches/ads response. They are only concerned with getting our event completed and making $. They don't care a bit about presentation or growth or safety (unless it is a driver of profit).

Louisville is the most logical location given the wrestling population. But Lexington is to easy for those in charge.

I'm lost on the whole wrestling population thing ??? Lexington is more centrally located , most of us can read a map !

Of course having it in Louisville would make some decent private schools happy and anyone pushing for it with any clout with the people would get some

Brownie points from power players in the sport .

Lexington or anywhere thereabouts is obviously the best place , of course everyone would like it in their own region !

Population as in number of teams/wrestlers. Especial when you include oldham and Hardin county as neighboring counties.

If we are going to cater to wrestling for the entire state, it seems a central location would be best...Lexington or Frankfort.  The Horse Park may not be perfect, but it's a far cry from where we were...a high school gymnasium.  When we moved to Frankfort, in the mid-1990s, Jack Kline, of Western Hills, (and others) did a great job of talking with people who had experience with other State Wrestling Championships.  He gleaned what he thought would work best for Frankfort and, over the years, it was tweaked and improved.  We'll have issues with any venue, but what we do while inside the facility can sure make it special for the kids.

And a big thank you for all the hard work that has been done to make our tournament light-years ahead of where we once were.

its definitely not centrally located but Corbin has the arena and its right off the side of I75. and it would be perfect for the tournament, it holds concerts and such. It has the specialized lighting and plenty of seating and definitely enough room for 6 or even 8 mats.. just a thought.

I'm not sure where it can be held but if the Horse Park is causing that many problems with alergies then it needs to be moved. 

I don't know this for sure but this may be why at least one wrestler didn't wrestle this weekend.  If you have ashma problems a horse park can be a major problem.

If the state is worried about money then maybe they sould be concerned about a lawsuit.

I can see a lawsuit forming because a kid or kids have a severe alergy attack because of the venue the state tourny is held in.  Or a kid not being able to participate because of the venue it is held in. 

I do believe it needs to be centrally located either in lex or lou.  C'mon its only about 45 min difference between the two cities.  Not that big of a difference. The venue also needs to fit our fan base not extremely large (Rupp) but not extremely small (high school gym).

GOO...

There should be a number of venues that meet that criteria, but who has the actual authority to get the ball rolling?

My quess would be start with your coach, then the coaches association, then the Athletic directors of your schools. 

I believe the only way to get this done would be an outcry from parents and fans that is heard by the local schools and athletic directors, who is turn would then pressure the KHSAA. 

If that does not work then it would have to be a direct push of the public on KHSAA.  Through daily e-mails and phone calls.  Get some local media involved and maybe local politicians.

 Being that we are not a major sport in KY (meaning basketball or football), this may be the only way to turn the head of KHSAA. 

It's not the ideal way to go about things but it would be a last resort.  Those of KHSAA need to pay attention.  Those of KHSAA who monitor this site (I know someone from KHSAA is looking at this) need to know this is something that needs to be looked at and brought to attention. 

Thank you GOO.

The horsepark ,definitely for those with breathing,allergy or asthma problems, plays  a very unfair disadvantage for those athletes. You would think  the KHSAA would have more concern for the health and the fairness of competition. Its hard enough to place at State when you feel good.  If we don't get to leave the Horsepark, I think a class action law suit could be filed for continuous neglect of an  problem resulting in an unfair playing conditions.   

16 man bracket. Back to another qualifier. District region state or region semi state, state. Different venue.

Or at all tech. Run 7 mats. 6 mats on side and 1 middle., not near podium so folks don't need binoculars.

problem with Louisville is the weekend that State is held conflicts with the biggest convention of the year, the Farm Machinery Show and the hotels fill that weekend and the only sensible venue (Broadbent Arena) is most likely booked or traffic around Freedom Hall is to thick. Bellermine probably has BB every other year and I know no body wants to go back to a HS gym again.

problem with Louisville is the weekend that State is held conflicts with the biggest convention of the year, the Farm Machinery Show and the hotels fill that weekend and the only sensible venue (Broadbent Arena) is most likely booked or traffic around Freedom Hall is to thick. Bellermine probably has BB every other year and I know no body wants to go back to a HS gym again.

Northern Ky then.

Go back to the Dungeon at Frankfort!  It might take three days to do the tournament, but the boys get more time between matches to rest up and bring back all the food vendors.  The schools still get paid for the kids attendance and the KHSAA shouldn't be out any overtime because the tournament is part of their salary and job description.  The kids all want it back in Frankfort too.  At least there you can see all the mats from anywhere in the arena,   You don't have the allergy problems either.  My son has asthma and he had use his inhaler all weekend long while wrestling and then watching.      

Go back to the Dungeon at Frankfort!  It might take three days to do the tournament, but the boys get more time between matches to rest up and bring back all the food vendors.  The schools still get paid for the kids attendance and the KHSAA shouldn't be out any overtime because the tournament is part of their salary and job description.  The kids all want it back in Frankfort too.  At least there you can see all the mats from anywhere in the arena,   You don't have the allergy problems either.  My son has asthma and he had use his inhaler all weekend long while wrestling and then watching.      

You are aware that you can only get 3 mats down on the floor now in Frankfort?  They have remodeled the Civic Center. 

Farm show was a week prior to state, so that shouldn't be a problem.

Farm show was a week prior to state, so that shouldn't be a problem.

That was an oddity this year with the extra week in the wrestling schedule, as far as I can tell next season they are on the same weekend. 

Reading these posts, it seems there are some health issues at Alltech Arena for those dealing with allergies.  As mentioned before, wrestling at state is difficult enough without having to deal with breathing issues.  It is time for the KHSAA to find a venue that does not prohibit athletes from participating due to health concerns.  Also, we have talked about building the popularity of our sport, but that seems difficult if visiting fans leave with a headache or breathing issues due to the facility.  Earlier I thought that staying at Alltech and making some logistical changes might be the answer, but if a young man is kept from competing, or competing at his best, due to the arena...it seems the KHSAA should look for an alternative. I realize these problems may not affect a large number of spectators or participants, but if one athlete, who has spent years preparing for his shot at a title, is effected, a change needs to be made.

They wont go back to a 3 day tourney too much school missed, I remember when it was a8 man one day event because of the governor tried to kill sports in KY

To be honest one of the best things that could happen n wrestling but will never happen is move the season 2 weeks later, not only could you get a better venue but probably more football players might come out. I know @ Western in Louisville kids from FB don't get to come out until after Thanksgiving. It really hurts beginners from small programs because your wrestling matches their first week in the sport. I wonder how many kids are lost because of the long football playoffs

Exactly

To be honest one of the best things that could happen n wrestling but will never happen is move the season 2 weeks later, not only could you get a better venue but probably more football players might come out. I know @ Western in Louisville kids from FB don't get to come out until after Thanksgiving. It really hurts beginners from small programs because your wrestling matches their first week in the sport. I wonder how many kids are lost because of the long football playoffs

We start three weeks before Ohio and end only a week earlier. Why is that?

Big red hit the nail on the head. We lose a lot of potential wrestlers because we're starting so early. We began on 10/15/2013 while Ohio began 11/9/13. That's over three weeks difference. We end a week earlier but our season is still two weeks longer and those weeks are in the middle of football.

if im not mistaken Oct 15 in KY is when all winter sports can start.  Its not just wrestling basketball and swimming also start on Oct 15. 

I'm not sure if Ohio has all their winter sports start on 11/9.   Why should it be different for one winter sport.  Does basketball and swimming have the same problem?  since they start in the middle of football season?

if im not mistaken Oct 15 in KY is when all winter sports can start.  Its not just wrestling basketball and swimming also start on Oct 15. 

 

I'm not sure if Ohio has all their winter sports start on 11/9.   Why should it be different for one winter sport.  Does basketball and swimming have the same problem?  since they start in the middle of football season?

Oct. 15 is when winter sports teams can start practicing. Basketball season didn't start until after the first of December this year, so I'm not sure why wrestling can't do the same to accommodate all the football players who may be late joining the team.

just curious. 

Is anyone else sick from last weekend?

I wouldn't make the season longer, Just start practice on Nov 1 , start matches around Dec 10, state tournament around March 1

Oct. 15 is when winter sports teams can start practicing. Basketball season didn't start until after the first of December this year, so I'm not sure why wrestling can't do the same to accommodate all the football players who may be late joining the team.

The first wrestling events are the last weekend in November, so not a huge difference. Basketball starts practicing on the 15th of October as well. And they don't have any trouble filling their teams. And the season timing doesn't seem to hurt teams like St. X, or Trinity, typically wrestling powers whose football teams regularly go deep in the playoffs. And honestly, by the third week in November, there are only 48 schools left playing football anyway. We aren't losing wrestlers because of the timing of the seasons. No other sport makes that excuse. We need to do more at youth levels, and more school districts to support wrestling at all levels. You aren't losing wrestlers that you never had in the first place.

Oct. 15 is when winter sports teams can start practicing. Basketball season didn't start until after the first of December this year, so I'm not sure why wrestling can't do the same to accommodate all the football players who may be late joining the team.

To what advantage will this be for the football players?  If you do this then the season is just shortened for everyone.  If the football players need more time before they compete then the coach can set them out of competition a week or two after they return from football.   

Unless you start later and end later there is really no advantage, and KHSAA does not want to have the post season of both wrestling and basketball happening at the same time.

just curious.

Is anyone else sick from last weekend?

One thing Union County has done to promote wresting in the county and get the public support is to announce ther state tournament matches on the radio. I believe they have been doing this the last four years and the public is really starting to understand our sport and getting behind there team. They also put home matches and the region tournament on the radio. It's a great way to promote wresting.

With Trinity and X they have enough athletes to cover all there sports easily, Small schools or schools in the inner city with out youth wrestling programs where you have to get kids off the football team, Even the 2 weeks of regular season we overlap is meaningful. Yeah its nice to have wrestlers that know how to wrestle show up in your program that know how to wrestle but a lot of schools don't have those luxuries. The program that I been involved with won many matches and championships and most of those kids didn't start wrestling till 9th or 10th grade (Justin Davis only wrestled 2 1/2 years and won 2 state championships, won his first varsity tournament after only 10 days in the sport) But other schools don't have these advantages. But the secondary argument is that A March Tournament you could get a better venue. And there is nothing wrong with improving the quality of wrestling any/every way possible