First let me start this discussion by saying that I understand that putting togethor a tournament is no easy task and I appreciate all who put in the time and effort to make them successful. This topic is not aimed at anyone or any group, it is only meant to hopefully spark some minds in the right direction. With districts coming and kids deciding which weight class to go, there are alot of kids trying to make a lower weight class than what they have wrestled most of the year (its a 2 lb growth allowance not an oppurtunity to cut weight). Unfortunately some are using ways to lose weight that may be unhealthy, but they are kids and probably dont know much better and may not be 100% honest with their coaches or parents as to the steps they are taking to cut. With that being said, after making weight, most of these kids are starving for a meal. But look at the choices that they are offered at most of these tournaments, pancakes and syrup, biscuits and gravy, sausage biscuits, hot dogs, hamburgers, nachos, candy, pizza, chik fil a, chips, and bananas (nothing wrong with bananas but who wants to only eat bananas for 8 hours or more). Everything that child worked for that week to make weight is being thrown away in that one day. As great as the sport of wrestling is, it carries a great stigma of unhealthy weight loss (and the ears, lol). Yes we as parents should be bringing coolers and healthy foods for our children but are usually slapped with a tax of a cooler fee, which I am more than happy to pay because I understand that tournaments are used to raise money for the different organizations. I guess all I'm saying is that as a wrestling community we all need to make a conscious effort to help these kids maintain a healthy weight all thru the season, we need to teach them proper excercise, how to stay hydrated, and eat healthy, and that tournaments held by us might be a good place to start

We offer apples, oranges, peanut butter and jelly sandwitches at our tournaments, along with the usual stuff. Thats what kids on our team request us to have so we buy extra and sell it.

Cutting weight and wrestling have always gone hand and hand. Our coaches do not promote kids cutting weight, but sometimes kids/coaches do. I have a very simple solution.

Instead of kids making it once and certifying, we should look at the possibility of having kids make weight for 5 events throughout the year. After the 5^th time they make scratch weight, they are then certified. By doing this, kids that cut weight will be more encouraged to maintain as opposed to cutting for one event prior to Districts and then bouncing back up to their natural weight. I’m sure that this has been discussed before, but if we are really looking out for these kids, this would be the safer way to do it. Just my 2 cents on the issue.

I do agree that having healthy food for the kids to snack on during the day is important, but let’s look at the big picture of weight loss. The dropping of weight by some kids is what gives our sport a bad name.

In middle school kids do not have to certify at any weight anymore. The weight they are at District Tournament is what they wrestle for Regionals and State.

In middle school kids do not have to certify at any weight anymore. The weight they are at District Tournament is what they wrestle for Regionals and State.

You mean they don't have to make scratch weight before being allowed to use the growth allowence?

Nope, just what they weigh in at District Tournaments

Are the concessions really for the wrestlers or for the parents and fans that are in the stands all day? I know the answer to that, but why are people always leaving it up to the tournament or the restaurant (ie. McDonalds) to determine what you or your kids should eat. Does someone always have to be the sensative one and make sure they are covering all bases to make everyone happy. Make your own mind up. If you dont want to eat it...don't eat it. If you do...eat it. No one is forcing bisuits and gravy down your throat. Personally, I like BG...then I run my arse off when I eat it. My choice. Also, I have my kid bring his own healthy food, so he can plan what is being put in his body and doesn't have to worry about what to eat and if he has something when he's hungry. To be honest, anyone who reads this and has operated a tournament or two, thinks about what will sell and how they will make money. Yes, most tourney's will have some healthy items...but really, no one wants to be stuck with anything that doesn't sell.

Make you own mind up! Most people are over weight because they choose to over eat the crappy foods....but, it's their choice.

Are the concessions really for the wrestlers or for the parents and fans that are in the stands all day? I know the answer to that, but why are people always leaving it up to the tournament or the restaurant (ie. McDonalds) to determine what you or your kids should eat. Does someone always have to be the sensative one and make sure they are covering all bases to make everyone happy. Make your own mind up. If you dont want to eat it...don't eat it. If you do...eat it. No one is forcing bisuits and gravy down your throat. Personally, I like BG...then I run my arse off when I eat it. My choice. Also, I have my kid bring his own healthy food, so he can plan what is being put in his body and doesn't have to worry about what to eat and if he has something when he's hungry. To be honest, anyone who reads this and has operated a tournament or two, thinks about what will sell and how they will make money. Yes, most tourney's will have some healthy items...but really, no one wants to be stuck with anything that doesn't sell.

Make you own mind up! Most people are over weight because they choose to over eat the crappy foods....but, it's their choice.

I hear what you are saying, like I said I pay the cooler fee. But most of the kids I see trying to loose weight right now before districts are not out of shape over weight kids. If you look at the list of contendors who are moving down, I dont think a single one of those kids is over weight but instead quite fit. But I guess at the end you touched on what I was ultimately sure would be the bottom line for for some. A quick buck, money. I guess the reason ppl dont get "stuck with" pizza is because thats all thats being offered. Maybe if we offered an alternative the results of what sells may be different. Also the same parents you imply the concessions are for, are usually the ones feeding their kids concession food. When I bring a cooler for my son, best believe I pack for myself also. Just as many kids in those lines as there are parents from what I've seen.

But I guess at the end you touched on what I was ultimately sure would be the bottom line for for some. A quick buck, money. I guess the reason ppl dont get "stuck with" pizza is because thats all thats being offered. Maybe if we offered an alternative the results of what sells may be different. Also the same parents you imply the concessions are for, are usually the ones feeding their kids concession food. When I bring a cooler for my son, best believe I pack for myself also. Just as many kids in those lines as there are parents from what I've seen.

I would say that there are many reasons tourneys are ran, but the two highest in my mind would be Money and Competition. Some teams would rather run a tourney than do other things to raise funds for their team. I don't agree with a "quick buck" because running a tourney is never a quick event. It takes time, effort and a lot of planning. I understand what you are saying by "alternative" however, please provide more suggestions that WILL "sell and can be prepared" and I will pass it along and make sure some of those items are included in the tourney's that we run. I'm talking more than just Fruit and PBJ's. Real alternatives that people will buy.

I would say that there are many reasons tourneys are ran, but the two highest in my mind would be Money and Competition. Some teams would rather run a tourney than do other things to raise funds for their team. I don't agree with a "quick buck" because running a tourney is never a quick event. It takes time, effort and a lot of planning. I understand what you are saying by "alternative" however, please provide more suggestions that WILL "sell and can be prepared" and I will pass it along and make sure some of those items are included in the tourney's that we run. I'm talking more than just Fruit and PBJ's. Real alternatives that people will buy.

Laughing at myself because I know its easier to point out the problem than it is to offer a solution. I appreciate the fact that you are willing to try other things and I'm sure it might take some trial and error, but hopefully some out there will put forth some effort to find out. The main reason I started this topic was that as a whole ideas may be thrown around with networking between organizations of things that work. I know I pack lunch meat, tuna, granola bars, trail mix (razz & tazz from Paul's fruit market), fruit, pb&j. I usually bring extra and most kids take me up on the offer. For breakfast my son usually will eat cereal such as shredded wheat or raisin bran, or maybe even a grilled chicken breast and some toast.

We have tried healthy food at our concession stand but the fact is, it doesn't sell. Believe it or not, the top seller at our concession stand is always McDonald's double cheeseburgers. We have tried grilled chicken, turkey kebabs, and turkey and cheese sandwiches. They don't sell. I wish they did.

$15 cooler fee at state next weekend, that means it would cost me $23 just to get in the door. Sorry but thats kind of steep, make sure I get my hand stamped since I have to leave my cooler in the car. I will still bring my healthier food choices but am just being inconvenienced, but had the fee been more reasonable then the tournament could've made some money from me. I know others who feel the same way. But its still curious how people go in with bags of McDonalds at no cost.

mataholic....it's your choice. Pay it or not, be inconvienced or not. It's a crazy web of reality that we live in. I'm sure the people running the tourney are worried about you running out to your cold car to eat lunch.

Be glad you can go to your car for lunch. We were at a tournament earlier this year where you could not leave the building. IE No Reentry with out Repaying. I will give the site credit though, they did have a really good concessions stand and didnt charge an arm and leg. $1.00 Hot dogs, $1.50 sodas in bottles, $1.00 waters.

On the McDonalds being brought in comment, I know of several places that will not allow it with out paying an extra fee. Ive seen anywhere from $1.00 to $5.00. Can't say I blame them really, if you want to bring your own food in, pay the fee. If you dont want to pay the fee, eat it in your car.

Offer to work a table at State...maybe if you work one and you won't be eating the food they offer for the coaches, table workers, & refs they will allow you to bring your cooler in with no charge. ??? Can always ask!

Ok guys, how many of you have actually put together a concession stand. Let me tell you all something. It is not easy nor is it cheap to do. We had a tournament this year that we only made $39.00 on in the concession stand. We tried to have healthy options along with the usual items. Grant County coming in and setting up their private buffett line with their multiple crock pots didn't help the matter either. We were able to hold a few things over to our next tournament which helped the profits on it but it was still a profit under $500.00. So, that being said, sometimes you don't have a huge money maker on the concession stand. We didn't charge a cooler fee at any of our tournaments this year and that was our fault. Hind sight is always 20/20. We tried to price everything so that it wasn't a great expense to anyone.

Mataholic-----I told a parent last year he had three options when he balked at paying the cooler fee at Middle School Regions....1- Pay the cooler fee (which was only $5.00) and go in and enjoy a day of wrestling, 2- keep the cooler in his car and he could go in and out as many times as he wanted to during the day or 3- put your self back in you car and go home and miss out on one of the greatest sports. Sounds like to me you have the same options as the guy did last year.

Good Luck every one at State Duals tomorrow! May your favorite wrestlers win!

I understand my options, but you guys make it seem like money is the only issue. When we first started with the sport of wrestling I would shop from the concession stand but ever since I started to bring my son healthier options and I have noticed a higher energy level out of him thru out the day than if he were eating hot dogs and pizza all day and I havent had to keep the pepto on hand like previously. Its not like a basketball or football game where you're there for only 2 hours and meals are not an issue. We usually have to have all three meals at some of these tourneys plus snacks in between. I usually spend more on the healthy options for my son than I would at the concession stand anyway. A cooler fee is pure profit with no effort needed, people may spend $30 at concession before you profit $15 minus the time and effort. All I'm saying is that in all fairness cooler fees should not exceed $10. Some may agree and obviously some dont. and yes I have worked tables and if I had no option I would pay any amount to see our kids wrestled because I love watching them do something they love to do. Either way its gonna be some great duals tomorrow, have fun.

I understand about the the healthier option you are tallking about. We tried the healthier options and it doesn't sell. Plain and simple.