Proposed changes to Bylaws

The following proposed Bylaw changes have been approved by the board and will become effective upon a majority vote at the State Body Meeting in Salina on October 8.

• Article II (14): Change the state tournament date to the weekend two weeks earlier than currently scheduled. The format and age groups would remain the same as we have now.
• Article I (4) Rule 1-2-3: Change the time between matches to 10 minutes.
• Article II (13): Use a draw system each year after the conclusion of the district tournaments.
• Article II: Eliminate the application of Article I (4) Rule 4-4-2 for state qualifying series tournaments. This removes the maximum weight spread for the state series, relying on the existing NFHS rules.
• Article I (4) Rule 6-1-1: Change High School division to 1:30 periods (instead of 2:00)
• Article II (6): Change the Qualifying series entry fees to $25.00.
• When USAW-KS sponsors or supports teams that participate in events, such as dual team formats or individual tournament competitions, Kansas wrestlers will not be allowed to participate in these events outside the USAW-KS process. For example, Kansas wrestlers will not be allowed to participate in these events as individual competitors not affiliated with USAW-KS, or with additional teams formed outside the USAW-KS process. If there is a USAW-KS qualifying process, such as a qualifying tournament or application process, to make any of these USAW-KS teams, each individual must participate in the required qualifying process to attend these events. If an individual participates in the qualifying process, and is not asked to be a part of the USAW-KS team, then he may participate outside the USAW-KS teams if allowed to do so by the event. A Kansas wrestler is an individual who is either a resident of Kansas or attends a Kansas school.

In other matters the board voted to move the clubs in Coffey County and Osage County from District 1 to District 3 as part of the ongoing effort to maintain a fair balance between the districts. This change is effective for the 2017-18 season.

Three proposals were considered and rejected by the board:

• Section II(2): Add statement/sentence that says, “If the individual being ejected is a minor (ie: student) then Rule 8, Article 8 of the High School rulebook will be enforced by the host of the sanctioned event."
• Proposal to move to 8 Districts
• Requirement that all USAW-Kansas sanctioned tournaments must use TrackWrestling.

Mike,

Any changes to card or charter fees this year?

Thanks - Daniel

There are no changes to any membership fees this year.

The last ByLaw change I feel we need to have some more discussion on. How will this be enforced? What happens if a wrestler was sick for the qualifying tournament but is asked to wrestle outside the USAW-KS process? Since USAW-KS supports and sponsors Pre Season Nationals will this mean that everyone will have to go through the program that is currently offered or will we be making exceptions for certain events?

In the end my opinion is if the wrestler has purchased a USAW card and the event allows them to compete then why would we as a state want to stop them. Yes it would be nice to get everyone on the same team but we shouldn't make it mandatory. Many of our wrestlers who attend team practices in other states especially during the Freestyle and Greco seasons due to it being the closest team to them or having a partner so they can grow in the sport.

So these are just proposals and not effective until the vote on October 8th???

How did the meeting go on October 8th? Did the proposals pass?
Or did just some pass?

If memory serves me correctly, everything passed. 10 minutes was changed to 15 but still passed. I think the $25 passed but only about 95% sure on that one.

Also, one of the proposals that was rejected by the board received sufficient votes to pass:

Section II(2): Add statement/sentence that says, “If the individual being ejected is a minor (ie: student) then Rule 8, Article 8 of the High School rulebook will be enforced by the host of the sanctioned event."