Hi, my name is Caleb Canter. For those of you that do not know me, I graduated from LaRue County High School in 2013. I have been a huge wrestling fan my entire life and always will be. However, as I attended the state tournament yesterday, I was extremely disappointed to find that the finals had been lumped together with the rest of the medal rounds, and the face off had been done away with entirely.

This is absolutely disrespectful to the kids that worked so hard to make their way to the finals. Those kids deserve to be honored separate from all the other wrestlers in the state, as they have rightfully earned that position.

As soon as I realized what the KHSAA had decided to do, I looked up the emails of the representatives (who we will not name) that made the decision, and sent an email asking for an explanation as to why it was done this way. I received a response almost immediately, and feel very inclined to share this information with the rest of the wrestling community.

Shown below is the email I sent and the response I received. Please take the time to read through both emails as I would like for everyone to completely understand the situation before we take our next steps.

My original email:

Hi, my name is Caleb Canter. I have been involved with Kentucky
wrestling since I was born in 1995. Wrestling has been a huge part of
my life and I am concerned about the path the sport is taking in our
state.

I'm writing this email from my seat here in the Alltech Arena as I
watch this lackluster "state finals." I am extremely disappointed in
the format of this year's finals, and I am seeking a legitimate
explanation as to why the biggest match of the season is less exciting
than the finals of any given tournament throughout the season. Because
I honestly can't think of a single reason why things are happening the
way they are.

I understand, or at least I hope, that you are not the only ones that
have made the decision to format the tournament this way. However I am
sure that you are able to fix the issue. If you are not convinced that
this is an issue, you can ask any fan in attendance and they will tell
you otherwise. I would even be willing to go as far as creating a
petition to have signed for you to see just how many people are upset
at the direction our state finals have gone.

I'm sure when you read this you will likely write me off as a random
upset 21 year old, and ignore my request for an explanation. But I
urge you not to do so, because I know that I speak for the entire
Kentucky wrestling community in what I am saying to you. In the future
I hope that you will allow these high schoolers to earn the respect
and honor that they have worked so hard for.

Thank you for taking your time to hear my message.

Caleb Canter

If you would like to discuss the issue further I would be more than
happy to do so! Feel free to give me a call

The Response I Received:

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. As someone who likely has been
involved in this sport since before you were born, I know that change
in anything dealing with this sport is seldom unanimous.

As I sit here tonight we have received several extremely positive
comments from coaches, parents and fans of the 3rd through 8th place
wrestlers thankful for the change rewarding their son, daughter or
wrestler's year long commitment even though they didn't finish in the
top two. There have been some who would like to move the quarterfinal
round and others would like to end earlier tonight. All of that is the
function of our staff evaluating the conduct of the event going
forward.

The state association and its mission is to make  decisions that are
student friendly for the most students, not simply the elite level. If
the elite level was the sole purpose, many team championships and
individual events would involve only the elite or those from the urban
areas where they are perceived more athletic or brackets would be
seeded, etc. But that is not the purpose. It is about recognizing
students across the board regardless of ability.  In order to ensure
continued participation in sports, such as wrestling, that struggle in
many states maintaining optimal support.

Since the time of your referenced year, participation in the sport has
nearly doubled in terms of schools and much of that is properly
attributed to changing both the culture of the sport and format of
events to include more kids. And that will continue to be emphasized.

So while those that want no change ever are likely disappointed with
any change, others continue to welcome evolution. This association
will continue to manage it events in the manner that the staff feels
is the best for the continued evolution of the sports and activities
and that may in fact mean even more change in the future.

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts.

Sent from my iPhone
Blame all typos on Apple auto-incorrect

I do realize that both of these emails are extremely lengthy, but I ask that you at least take the time to read through the response email so that you can fully understand the decision that was made.

I am thankful that the KHSAA took the time to actually read and think about my comments, but I am extremely unsatisfied with the justification for the way things were done. That is why I am going to see that it is fixed. While the KHSAA is operating in a manner that they believe is what the wrestling community desires, I am sure that they are mistaken. Therefore, we as an entire wrestling community must present our opinion to the KHSAA.

The first thing I will ask of you is to sign the online petition to have the finals revamped into all that they should be. You can find this petition at the link shown below.

https://www.change.org/p/kentucky-wrestling-kentucky-wrestling-state-finals?recruiter=492947154&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink

Please take the time to sign as well as share the link with your friends and family that may have an opinion on the matter.

Secondly and most importantly I am going to ask for you dedicated members of the wrestling community to write a short personal statement or letter to the KHSAA about why you think the finalist deserve to be honored more so than the rest of the medalist. I do understand that this is asking a lot of you, but it is my opinion that your written out thoughts are worth much more than your signature on a petition. I hope to receive letters from all possible sources, including children, wrestlers, coaches, officials, parents, and fans.

Once you have written your letter to the KHSAA, please email it to me at [email protected]. After I receive your notes I will print them off and personally deliver them to the KHSAA office.

I also ask that you please remain respectful and professional throughout your entire statement, that way we can present our opinions to the KHSAA in a positive manner.

While I do not wish to discount any one of your opinions and would love to receive letters from each and every one of you. I believe that the testimonies of wrestlers who found success at the state level but never managed to reach the finals, will be found most convincing, and I ask that you please make sure those people see this message.

I also would love to hear the voice of those that support the way finals were done, and would be more than happy to include your statements when I deliver our messages to the KHSAA.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this lengthy post. I hope that we can find a way to rise up together and see a change made, so that these kids that work so hard can enjoy the respect that they earned.

Caleb Canter

Feel free to email me with any questions or ideas.

[email protected]

I totally agree. Need to take a page out of Ihsaa book. Watch replay of Ihsaa finals, take notes.

http://ihsaatv.org/

Awesome! Great example. 

Please share this post and my email with everyone, I want to carry a box full of letters for them to read!

Thanks to everyone that is responding to the petition! I love the comments!

I really want to ask you guys to think about emailing me letters. I think that will be much more effective when presented to the KHSAA. I'm not looking for a long drawn out letter, a paragraph or two will be just fine! 

Caleb Canter

Hey Caleb, PM me if you need any help! 

As a kid and throughout my time as a high school wrestler, it was my dream to make it to the finals and wrestle under the spotlight and run out during the faceoff. I will never forget the feeling I had when I got to finally experience that great atmosphere my senior year. With how they are formatting the finals now, I doubt nearly as many young kids have a dream to participate in the finals atmosphere because of how they have watered it down. It is disappointing to see how they have changed things, but hopefully something can come out of this and the finals can have the unique atmosphere they once had. I would encourage as many people as possible to send Caleb a short letter so he can send them to the KHSAA.

-Nick Paden

I couldn't agree more with NPaden93 and also others, as a 2x state champion and 3x finalist I remember dreaming running under the spotlight for the finals. You don't only train everyday during the season but year round for yrs to be the best and be a state champion, unfourntaly they can't do it in Frankfort like they use to because of having 32 man brackets. This just water downs the tournament at the same time Kentucky is deff on the rise in quality and competition, when I graduated in 2001 only 1 other wrestler received a D1 scholarship in the previous 5 or 6 yrs before I did and now a bunch have since, it's an honor to make a state tournament and in many regions you only have to win one match to make it. I don't think the problem is the ky horse park, it's a great arena for the tournament but more on the people calling the shots all the medal rds from 3rd  to 8th place should be wrestled at once with the championship finals wrestled alone on one mat one match at a time. The kids who put in blood sweat and tears yr round for yrs to get there deserve being the sole match going on with all eyes on them 

I'm new to here but I agree 100% with you mr. Canter. The finals should be a separate event! I couldn't believe they did it differently this year. Takes away from the excitement of it and also takes the showcase away from where it belongs. The champs! Who knows?  Maybe they're trying to fall in synch with the rest of the world and reward participation the same as winning lol

The KHSAA offices have proven over and over on multiple occasions they are unwilling to hear any type of detractors. If anyone really wants change it will take the following:

Email/ call members on the board of control, this group effectively keeps  Julian and Mike accountable to the schools. You can find their emails at this link: http://khsaa.org/2015-16-khsaa-board-of-control/

Email/ call your State Representative, this is what it took to allow middle schoolers to wrestle varsity again and unfortunately quite possibly what it may take to get the championship out of the Horse Park and a proper ending.

Lastly, contact your local Athletic Director, Principal, and Superintendent and ask for the help to fix what was the correct way to crown a state champion. 

Unfortunately politics within the proper channels will be the only way to make the changes everyone desires. 

Has anyone on this board of control ever wrestled?

I don't think KHP is the issue even though I think it is ridiculous you had to pay $5/day to park. I was told the KHSAA wanted to run the round of championship that was wrestled on Saturday morning Friday night but the coaches wanted to get out of there early. Also was it necessary to have a 2 hour break? No! If they wanted to clear the arena if done correctly can be cleared out in 30 minutes. While that is happening you start setting the mats up. In my opinion, if they wanted to keep the way they did it (I hated this way) they should have moved 3 mats to the center of the arena and wrestled 3, 5 & 7 then wrestle championship match on the center mat because people where Union & CC fans were sitting were always away from the championship mat, put it in the center where it should belong. 

Also it took 1 hour to do 3 weight classes. 

Hey guys I love your support and I'm excited to hear all of your opinions. However, I must say that I'm not looking to create a big long thread on this website talking about how terrible everything is. As we will just frustrate ourselves and accomplish nothing. 

Instead I'm asking for you to seriously and professionally write out your thoughts. That way I can take them to the KHSAA and read it with them, to hopefully show them that they are not operating inside of what the vast majority of the wrestling community wants.

Thanks for the help!

Just wanted to keep everyone updated. I just sent the following message to the KHSAA:

11 hours ago, Caleb.Canter22 said:

My original email

Hi, Caleb...can you please confirm that you sent your original email & received the reply from KHSAA yesterday (so Feb 20th)?  I'm getting my letter together and would like to make sure I have the date right.  Thanks!

11 hours ago, Caleb.Canter22 said:

As I sit here tonight we have received several extremely positive
comments from coaches, parents and fans of the 3rd through 8th place
wrestlers thankful for the change rewarding their son, daughter or
wrestler's year long commitment even though they didn't finish in the
top two.

...a side note...  I truly wonder if this statement from KHSAA wasn't inflated.  My son placed 4th and we both agree that the way they ran finals this year cheapened the entire experience for all (but especially for the championship finalists).  Also...I didn't see any girls that made it to ANY of the finals matches - did I miss something?  How were daughters rewarded by these changes?  Anyway - just some quick observations that jumped out at me when I read their response.  Working on my letter!

Yes my original message was sent during the 113 lb match, and I received the response around the time of the 152 lb match. 

As far as the truth of that statement I cannot comment. I am going to take his word for it that there were at least a few people in the crowd that appreciated the changes. I have yet to find anyone that thinks this way, but I would love to hear their opinions if they are seeing these messages.

Thanks for taking the time to write a letter for us, I really appreciate it!

14 minutes ago, Caleb.Canter22 said:

Yes my original message was sent during the 113 lb match, and I received the response around the time of the 152 lb match. 

As far as the truth of that statement I cannot comment. I am going to take his word for it that there were at least a few people in the crowd that appreciated the changes. I have yet to find anyone that thinks this way, but I would love to hear their opinions if they are seeing these messages.

Thanks for taking the time to write a letter for us, I really appreciate it!

You're very welcome.  I'm not doubting the truth of their statement...just the completeness.  I work with data, so I know all about inflating numbers to paint a picture that supports your perspective.  Not saying that's what happened here...just that I've seen it done (in many professional settings) and so I also don't rule it out completely.

Thank you for taking the time to get this going...I hope the silent majority takes action to better this situation for future championship finalists!

2 hours ago, hasbeen1 said:

Email/ call your State Representative

Q:  how do we know who our State Representative is?

16 minutes ago, afan said:

Q:  how do we know who our State Representative is?

See the link below as it gives county by county listings:

http://www.lrc.ky.gov/whoswho/county.htm 

14 hours ago, Caleb.Canter22 said:

Thanks to everyone that is responding to the petition! I love the comments!

 

I really want to ask you guys to think about emailing me letters. I think that will be much more effective when presented to the KHSAA. I'm not looking for a long drawn out letter, a paragraph or two will be just fine! 

 

Caleb Canter

Have you thought about contacting the Media and telling them about it.  Hey  they would not like the bad press.

1 hour ago, mommaswatching said:

Have you thought about contacting the Media and telling them about it.  Hey  they would not like the bad press.

I haven't really considered that yet. Right now I'm simply collecting opinions so that I can present it to the people at the KHSAA. I would really like to keep it as civilized as possible, since we are kind of on the same team in that we all want wrestling to grow. I just believe that they are operating on an incorrect assumption about the wrestling community. 

However, if they refuse to accept an undeniable amount of evidence, we may look into it then.

Something we need to seriously consider, going to a 16 man bracket. Add regional tournament. Its mentally and a physical drain to wrestle upwards of 6 matches dragged out over 2 days.

Consolation finals need to be there own round.

Finals must be under the lights, accolades need to heard during face off  AND NEEDS TO BE 1 MAT!

Podium needs to be delayed 1 match, give this kids time to process a loss in the finals before you stick him on the podium for everyone to see...this is plain cruel!

Podium area should allow a parent to take pictures, they deserve the right!

If KSHAA isn't going to change it for wrestling, then boys and girls basketball doesn't need the flashy entrance either for the finals!

KSHAA says they had positive feedback, I want those published. Just as easy to say we have thousand of complaints.

And to build Wrestling in Kentucky we have to give and show the youth something to strive for, if it lacks in luster theirs efforts and wanting to wrestle diminish.

Total 2-day Attendance - 8,959

Assume $15.00 each minimum revenue.

$134,385.00 Attendance Revenue. 

Good information plantmanky1. Also I'd be interested in the revenue generated during the 2 day event from ticket sales, merchandise, concessions and the adjusted rate of facility use in lieu of parking revenue. The medals, brackets and final singlets we give out on the Middle School Level vs the cost we collect is greatly less than the KHSAA collected and spent on their event. I'd like to see published the final spreadsheet on cost and revenue. If they want to profit and share amongst the whole KHSAA athletic programs, let them do this after they've awarded these wrestlers with all the glory and awards deserved as the top 6 placers and 2 finalist. 

17 hours ago, tccx-14 said:

I was told the KHSAA wanted to run the round of championship that was wrestled on Saturday morning Friday night but the coaches wanted to get out of there early.

I hope this was sarcasm.....  Myself and probably the 30+ other coaches I talked too complained that they were NOT running the QTRS on Friday night.  So I would be curious about coaches that truly wanted out of there early on Friday rather than run that round.  There were also many many complaints prior to the tournament even starting; letting KHSAA know the finals in this format would last 4+ hours.  I don't know any coach and/or wrestler that would want to arrive at 5:30 and then not wrestle until 10:40 for your finals match. 

There are loads of coaches with ideas, on and off the coaches board, that can make this tournament spectacular.  I have only coached high school in KY for a few years now, and the feeling I get is that KHSAA does what they feel is best and nothing else matters.  Which to me, IMO, is causing a spiraling downward effect rather than helping make it better.  

40 minutes ago, Coach Wagers said:

I hope this was sarcasm.....  Myself and probably the 30+ other coaches I talked too complained that they were NOT running the QTRS on Friday night.  So I would be curious about coaches that truly wanted out of there early on Friday rather than run that round.  There were also many many complaints prior to the tournament even starting; letting KHSAA know the finals in this format would last 4+ hours.  I don't know any coach and/or wrestler that would want to arrive at 5:30 and then not wrestle until 10:40 for your finals match. 

There are loads of coaches with ideas, on and off the coaches board, that can make this tournament spectacular.  I have only coached high school in KY for a few years now, and the feeling I get is that KHSAA does what they feel is best and nothing else matters.  Which to me, IMO, is causing a spiraling downward effect rather than helping make it better.  

I wish it was sarcasm. 

I say use the media.  A suggestion I made before is to boycott the state tournament.  You might have to hit the KHSAA where it hurts for them to listen to us.

Although the format was horrible, I think we as fans need to make sure the kids know how much we truly appreciate them. That was my 20 yr and it seems as every year the kids are more impressive.  Yes the format was hard to watch, but let's move forward and try to change it, but not make it the top memory we have. Remember that duck under, the overtime win for binder, young finishing a great career, and an 8th grader starting his off right. Those kids deserve deserve to be in our memories. Thanks to all the kids for all the work they put in to put on an impressive tournament.  

1 hour ago, Zeus said:

I say use the media.  A suggestion I made before is to boycott the state tournament.  You might have to hit the KHSAA where it hurts for them to listen to us.

So we complain that the kids aren't being honored or shown the respect they deserve.  So to fix that, we tell everyone not to show up, so the kids we want to honor get to wrestle in an empty arena.  That would be cutting our nose off to spite our face.  

The format was bad.  No doubt.  But despite the problems, it was still a great, eventful, tournament with many great matches and champions to remember.  Imagine if everyone would have boycotted?  Who would have been the real losers.....the KHSAA, or the wrestling community??

The sport is growing, and it will certainly require some changes in the State tournament format.  But we as a wrestling community also have to lose the "everyone is trying to kill wrestling", "the world doesn't understand the sport",  "we are treated like second class citizens" attitude.  From a guy who is not from KY and comes from a big wrestling area, the progress that's been made in the 5 years I've been involved in the sport has been very good.  It's not where it needs to be, but still much better than it was.

rjs4470, I agree. What Zeus is suggesting is not at all the approach that I have been suggesting. I am not suggesting that KHSAA is taking advantage of the wrestling state tournament or doing wrong intentionally, I honestly believe that they just have a misconception about how we as a community see the state tournament. Then they have acted on this misconception making changes to the format and traditions that will not benefit the sport whatsoever.

I really did not want this to become an open discussion where everyone bashes the KHSAA, and talks about how awful everything was. The only reason I started this thread was to try to collect the opinions of those that do genuinely care about the sport of wrestling. Posting a response to this thread will do absolutely nothing for our cause, Instead take that time to email me a letter describing your opinions. Then once you have done that invite 3-4 others to do the same. 

I was just suggesting ways to get the KHSAA's attention, which that would certainly do as Coach Bankemper said out of 22 or something sports that the wrestling state tournament is their 4th biggest money-maker.  In no way to I WANT to boycott the state tournament, just to get the KHSAA's attention.  In what other ways could we do this then?

3 hours ago, Zeus said:

I say use the media.  A suggestion I made before is to boycott the state tournament.  You might have to hit the KHSAA where it hurts for them to listen to us.

I hate to say it, but the majority of media won't care. Good luck getting the CJ or the Herald Leader behind this.

The smaller outlets, like mine, would be more apt to support the movement.

7 hours ago, Zeus said:

I was just suggesting ways to get the KHSAA's attention, which that would certainly do as Coach Bankemper said out of 22 or something sports that the wrestling state tournament is their 4th biggest money-maker.  In no way to I WANT to boycott the state tournament, just to get the KHSAA's attention.  In what other ways could we do this then?

First, we (and I mean the wrestling community as a whole, not you specifically) have to get past the belief that wrestling is the "stepchild" sport and not cared about.  The chip on our shoulder and complaining that wrestling is treated as a second class sport, just makes the community look like a bunch of whiners.  When you present ideas with that backdrop, it's not going to be easy to get anyone to listen, let alone the KHSAA.

Second, don't for a minute think that wrestling is the only sport where people have issues with prices, venue, location, schedule etc.  Go over to the other big KY high school sports site and check out the sports threads around state tournament time.  A change was made to basketball a couple years ago changing the final to Sunday, and people lost their minds.  And if you think wrestling has it bad, do some research and see how people feel about the girls softball state tourney.  Again, I mentioned once before that I spent well over $100 for my wife and I to attend just 3 of the 4 state tourney baseball games last year.  The costs of concessions, tickets, parking etc are pretty similar for almost every sport's state championship.  

As a community, we have to keep growing the sport, especially in the areas where there isn't wrestling.  More athletes, more voices which will force the powers that be to listen more (as long as those ideas are presented in a reasonable manner).  I can almost guarantee that there will be changes next year.  The folks in the KHSAA aren't stupid.  I give them credit for trying something new, and hopefully can give them credit next year if they learn something and do just a little better next year.  

Finally, we should still be talking more about the tournament itself....the great performances, the upsets, the surprises etc.  Strip all the complaints about the venue, prices, schedule etc, and really, this was one of the better tournaments in recent memory.  THAT is what's important.

You make some good points, especially comparing wrestling to other sports that are struggling.  However without discussing the issues we have how are we to go about trying to fix them?  One of the region presidents told me a couple of years ago that at the beginning of the annual coaches/KHSAA meeting before the state tournament, the first thing Mike Barren or Julian Tackett said was that nothing is going to change, basically ignoring everything the coaches were going to say, before they said it!

Saying that wrestling isn't the only sport with problems is a valid point, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try to fix those issues, especially when it was perfectly fine a couple of years ago (specifically regarding the finals format).  I'm glad to see them using eight mats this year and I hope they'll use the extra time on Friday afternoon to wrestle the quarterfinal round, which would make Saturday's long day much better.

11 hours ago, Caleb.Canter22 said:

I am not suggesting that KHSAA is taking advantage of the wrestling state tournament or doing wrong intentionally

...after what I learned last night, I'm not so sure.

In case folks aren't aware, the free downloads folder of podium pictures has been eliminated with no advance warning or explanation unless you email them to ask.  I did and here is the response I was given:  "The free download folder was removed to put Wrestling in line with our other championship events. At all of our events, only media are permitted on the competition floor to take pictures."

When I replied that some folks can't afford wrestling shoes, much less $4/pic + S&H or $125 freelance fees, and commented that these changes (plus the others) are a strange way to build wrestling in the state, I was told that "Changes to the tournament format are done working alongside the Wrestling Advisory Committee. We don't make those decisions all by ourselves.  B/c most parents that shoot pictures are doing so for the team/school/coaches, we recommend they ask the parents/coaches/school to chip in on the freelance fee in exchange for the images."

From where I'm sitting, it looks as if the changes are intentional and with full knowledge/disregard of how they will be received.

Their lack of communication (up front) followed by justifying their actions (as they did in their reply to your first email) is disrespectful and disheartening.

As I said...it's a strange way to achieve their goal of building this sport in KY.

1 hour ago, Zeus said:

You make some good points, especially comparing wrestling to other sports that are struggling.  However without discussing the issues we have how are we to go about trying to fix them?  One of the region presidents told me a couple of years ago that at the beginning of the annual coaches/KHSAA meeting before the state tournament, the first thing Mike Barren or Julian Tackett said was that nothing is going to change, basically ignoring everything the coaches were going to say, before they said it!

Saying that wrestling isn't the only sport with problems is a valid point, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try to fix those issues, especially when it was perfectly fine a couple of years ago (specifically regarding the finals format).  I'm glad to see them using eight mats this year and I hope they'll use the extra time on Friday afternoon to wrestle the quarterfinal round, which would make Saturday's long day much better.

Not saying at all that we shouldn't try to fix things. And by no means am I trying to say that because other sports have issues too, we should just live with the way things are.   Even if things were perfect, I'd want to see things continue to evolve.  The "how" we change things is the tougher part, and the one I don't have a real answer for.  I do know, that the whining and bellyaching many do, isn't getting it done, and doesn't help our credibility, especially when the are other sports that have as bad if not worse. 

1 hour ago, afan said:

...after what I learned last night, I'm not so sure.

In case folks aren't aware, the free downloads folder of podium pictures has been eliminated with no advance warning or explanation unless you email them to ask.  I did and here is the response I was given:  "The free download folder was removed to put Wrestling in line with our other championship events. At all of our events, only media are permitted on the competition floor to take pictures."

When I replied that some folks can't afford wrestling shoes, much less $4/pic + S&H or $125 freelance fees, and commented that these changes (plus the others) are a strange way to build wrestling in the state, I was told that "Changes to the tournament format are done working alongside the Wrestling Advisory Committee. We don't make those decisions all by ourselves.  B/c most parents that shoot pictures are doing so for the team/school/coaches, we recommend they ask the parents/coaches/school to chip in on the freelance fee in exchange for the images."

From where I'm sitting, it looks as if the changes are intentional and with full knowledge/disregard of how they will be received.

Their lack of communication (up front) followed by justifying their actions (as they did in their reply to your first email) is disrespectful and disheartening.

As I said...it's a strange way to achieve their goal of building this sport in KY.

...and this is why I think you have to get their attention.  I would argue that the coaches know the sport best since they actually wrestled, some collegiately, and they're the ones in the trenches building programs to grow the sport.  Every single coach I talked to over the weekend, some of which are on the advisory committee, expressed disgust for  most of the new changes, especially the finals format and awards ceremony.

It appears that the advisory committee is simply a scapegoat.  When I spoke with one of the assistant commissioners about the changes, I was told I need to go through the advisory committee.  My question is though, if you're not going to listen to the committee then why have it?  Just tell the wrestling community that you yourselves have decided to make changes and we'll have to deal with it.  Don't make Tim Ruschell, I just picked a name from the committee, look bad by saying that they approved of the changes when I don't think they actually did.

Also, the conference call for the coaches was held at 2:00 pm.  Many of the coaches are teachers and therefore couldn't participate in the call.  All coaches were notified via email two days before about the call.  If I was a businessman and had something scheduled at that time I wouldn't have been able to participate either.  The KHSAA has not been receptive to input from the coaches, including the advisory committee.

30 minutes ago, Zeus said:

 Don't make Tim Ruschell, I just picked a name from the committee, look bad by saying that they approved of the changes when I don't think they actually did.

Also, the conference call for the coaches was held at 2:00 pm.  Many of the coaches are teachers and therefore couldn't participate in the call.  All coaches were notified via email two days before about the call.  If I was a businessman and had something scheduled at that time I wouldn't have been able to participate either.  The KHSAA has not been receptive to input from the coaches, including the advisory committee.

I stand by the man daily.... I told him what the changes were before he knew or heard about them.......  And I found them on here then validated via KHSAA. 

From what I understand; they take very minimal advice from the committee, experience or not.  I don't know how much belly aching the committee does, but when you have coaches that come to the table with ideas to better the situation, and many years experience, one would think they would listen.  I don't think they listen.  That is evident by the format this year.  KHSAA was confident that it would provide a better atmosphere and be done in a timely manner.  Well, we all know how that went.  I don't blame them for trying something new, however when you have people with experience and knowledge of the sport, a good leader would listen.  Anyone with wrestling experience and awareness could look at the format and know that it would take 4+ hours (and it actually took 5).  I don't know the reasoning and who crunched the numbers showing that format would be successful, but the KHSAA definitely has very little knowledge/awareness regarding how to run a tournament.  And a tournament of this nature makes it mind boggling to not want to do what is "best". 

1 hour ago, Zeus said:

 One of the region presidents told me a couple of years ago that at the beginning of the annual coaches/KHSAA meeting before the state tournament, the first thing Mike Barren or Julian Tackett said was that nothing is going to change, basically ignoring everything the coaches were going to say, before they said it!

 

This right here..... I have heard multiple times over the last 2 years coaching in KY.  From multiple different coaches on and off the committee.

During the tourney I spoke with a coach regarding the change.  He said he asked a pretty influential KHSAA representative why they decided to change the format.  He was told Julian Tackett did it only to show that he could.  Sounds like having an advisory committe is only a facade to show they are collaborative.  This may be the push to finally start a NHSCA or a KWCA state tournament.  KHSAA will not change, but if they do it will be like turning a cruise ship anyway leaving us to vent for years to come.  Rip the band aid off and let them deal with the new four year contract at the horse park that they will have to eat.

I sent you an email Caleb, but my main problems with the new format changes for the championship:

1. The new format was much less spectacular
2. The format was confusing
3. The session was longer and thus less exciting

All in all, maybe one step forward and three steps back. I'm for change, but not at the expense of making the sport less exciting and spectacular.

These changes are not in alignment with the changes happening around the world to modernize the sport and to make it a more watchable sport.

I really want to emphasize that my intentions are not to damage the KHSAA or try to make drastic changes. I strongly urge you to really take the time and think about the implications of the actions each and every one of you are suggesting. I think it would be a huge mistake to try to boycott or do anything else to try to hurt the KHSAA.  

I am really not liking the direction these conversations are going, and I hope that you all will take the time to be rational and realize that there are better ways to go about fixing this issue. 

What's really sad and somewhat lost in all of this is the finals matches were the best they have been in many years.  A lot of close, very entertaining matches.  Had they been back to back it would have been an incredibly entertaining finals.  

I'm going to go ahead and lock this thread before it gets out of hand... if you have someone you would like to be included in the response to the KHSAA, be sure to email Caleb