Hello Kentucky Wrestling,
I know that its been almost 3 years since I have coached a match
I have been observing this sport from afar through this site and newspaper clippings, being involved in this sport since 1983 I have done everything from wrestle, coach, referee and adminstrate. As the one person who came up with the orginal Kentuckywrestling.org web site, I know its hard for someone keep up with all that goes on. I observed the hard work that Coach Coomes put in doing rankings and every Sunday trying to get results from Lexington and Etown newspapers ( I hated the mailings that we would do but he was passionate about it)
The orginal website was designed to be an information hub and I wish I was more internet savy to add things myself but we has to work at the speed of our schools internet program.
One thing thatI was against was adding a fan board or chat site to the web site. Back then I wasn't a fan of drama and thought trash talk would bring the sport down not help promote it. My belief was a few bad apples would be destructive to the quality information that could be shared. As time went on I know I wasn't popular with this decision but I stood by my guns. Even when this website got started I saw the drama that it created an witnessed a racial slur that was pointed towards one of my ex wrestlers.
Well, over the last few years. The hard work of Ken Smith, Chris Mc Coy, Jason Moore and Jason Claywell (pardon if Im wrong but the Etown news guy) have changed my opinion. I have had fun with reading the posts and lately check this site on a daily basis over the last few months. But I have seen the words of a few ot I should say 1 have stirred the pot (Mr Myers) even to the point to where threads are not even about the topics that are started. This is the main reason I didnt like to see fan boards. The old saying goes its all fun and games until someone gets hurt. (I even stirred the Myers pot myself)
Getting to my point, I hate to see someone like Coach McCoy who has a positive passion for the sport to leave this site. His posts have been informative and a good direction for what is now the site for Kentucky Wrestling information. I will never agree with cencorship but I do agree with kicking out a few bad apples. Mr Meyers is proud of his sons accomplishments but there are reasons why He is in this state and such a mark. Im positive that his sons are great wrestlers but he shouldnt be allowed to constantly turn every topic about how his sons are so great. I think whats best for the Myers boys is to call Blair Academy and see if they have any openings.
As for the future of Kentucky Wrestling, Kentucky is blessed with great growth right now. Adding programs, great young coaches that are making us old guys (hence Im 43 and I know if I come back next year Im going to have to work my butt off) and the growth of middle school and elementary school programs. Even with the hard work of Ken Smith and USA wrestling has been a big factor in this growth.
We should look past the bad apples, cut out the bad wood and celebrate whats positive about this sport. We are all passionate about the sport of wrestling and have our own opinions about how things should be. That is what makes fan boards so fun. There really is no right or wrong opinions, just when they become hateful or demeaning to the hard work of our wrestling community. We should celebrate strong competition, Talk about rules and judgements, think about the past and why it was funny or makes us better, and post information about tournaments, technique, and training.
Chris , I hope you dont delete your account, your posts and enthusiasm for the sport is a big positive for this site. Mr Myers I hope with out your interfence and over bearing personality, your boys are able to find a wrestling home and be happy. A wise man once told me a little fact, the most dangerous attack dogs are the ones that you dont hear. As for the rest of the wrestling community, I hope no one person's opinion will ever downgrade your passion for this sport. We need fans, great coaches, and great parents to help our wrestlers to grow this sport.
Good Wrestling to everyone