Here are some links on the issue to become educated as to the arguments for and against as well as a post I made on the Youth Forum.

And the responses to that, and multiple other mixed messages has already been abundant on the mat. In many ways the response has made people even more upset. This is a decision that USA Wrestling, AAW, or The Fargo Dome, all depending on who you talk to and at what time of day, has made that has backfired tremendously on them. Again, check out the national forums on this issue at one of the following links. I would encourage people to keep up the pressure. Links are as follows.

A USA Wrestling Article that Promoted the Trading of Singlets, What was good last year and all of the other previous years, including the benefits of it has all of a sudden become wrong: http://www.themat.com/pressbox/pressdetail.asp?aid=8030

Youth Forum that started the debate and controversy: http://www.thematforums.com/myforum/inde...062bfcbbd0fdd8c

High School Forum Debate where the controversy has taken off. http://www.thematforums.com/myforum/index.php?show_topic=5034&forum_id=4

I have already written my letters of complaint to USA Wrestling, All American Wrestling, and The Fargo Dome. This is not just about selling of the singlets, someone asked about a compromise. I am fine with that, allow the kids to trade on site, and sell off site if they choose. I will admit, I have no problem with a kid who wants to buy, and/or sell a singlet. These are high school kids largely at this tournament and I believe, as has been proven in the numerous posts on The Mat, that the sales of singlets actually help the vendor. I'll leave it at that for now.

Here is the question, should trading of singlets be allowed at Fargo or other National USA Tournaments.

National Controversy over Singlet Trade single choice
	Yes They should have never banned the trading of singlets, it is a mistake.
	No I support USA wrestling in this decision, there are too many problems with allowing the wrestlers to trade their singlets.
Votes accepted starting: 01/01/70 12:00 AM You must vote before you can view the results of this poll.

USA Wrestling statement regarding Singlet Trading!

USA Wrestling statement regarding Singlet Trading
7/7/2005
USA Wrestling/

USA Wrestling encourages youth wrestlers to form friendships and to share their experiences with their peers as they compete in USA Wrestling National and Regional Championships. For many years, as part of building friendships, wrestlers have traded singlets and uniforms. These uniforms and singlets have become more unique, colorful and representative of the various states that the athletes represent at USA Wrestling’s Regional and National Championships.

Unfortunately, over the years, an element has emerged that has caused some concern for the operators of the event sites and for USA Wrestling. Often, USA Wrestling receives reports of items being stolen or of property being damaged due to the high volume of trading that takes place. More recently, the act of simply trading has escalated to the buying and selling of items, at sometimes very inflated prices.

It is this buying and selling activity that USA Wrestling is vehemently opposed to and will not tolerate. In addition, USA Wrestling must now address concerns and complaints from athletes and coaches about wrestlers stealing money and articles of clothing. These incidents are infrequent but they greatly affect the individuals that fall victim to these crimes.

Due to these unfortunate incidents, USA Wrestling has been directed by many venue operators that they cannot allow these trading activities. They are not willing to be responsible for the possible liability that may occur. In particular, this is the case with the FargoDome at the Junior and Cadet National Championships.

The procedures established for the FargoDome do not affect the trading of singlets and uniforms at other sites away from the FargoDome. It has always been USA Wrestling policy that the buying and selling of singlets is not allowed, and USA Wrestling will continue to take measures to insure such actions do not occur.

USA Wrestling is aware that its merchandiser, All American Sports, LLC, has taken unnecessary criticism for the recent policy changes by USA Wrestling in regards to trading. It should be made very clear and communicated that All American Sports, LLC stands by the following statements:

* All American Wrestling is not against the trading of singlets and other wrestling equipment.

* USA Wrestling sets the policy concerning the trading of singlets and equipment, not All-American Wrestling.

* Certain venues require a seller’s permit for all vendors at the event. If an arena enforces its policy, All American Wrestling has no control over that.

* All American Wrestling is willing to do anything to better the wrestling community. We welcome any suggestions to better our service to our customers.

We hope this clarifies the recent mis-understandings that have surrounded the issue of singlet and uniform trading.

Should you have any further questions, please do not to hesitate to contact: Mark A. Scott, USA Wrestling Director of State Services at 719-598-8181.

Dear Mr. Furches:

Sadly, I believe you are purposefully misrepresenting the facts of the "National Controversy".

The reasoning of all parties involved to the decision to "ban" the trading of the singlets is simply to protect those who may be taken advantage of by older, more experienied, and unfortunately sometimes dishonest traders.

I must ask, why do you insist on making a mountain out of a molehill?

You started both topics on themat.com, and I certainly question if the real reason is to keep your name in the forefront. While I may be mistaken, I believe nearly all individuals, aware of a ban, are creative enough to exchange telephone numbers, addresses, e-mail addresses, hotel addresses, etc., in order to effect a trade. I also believe if an agreement is reached, and a casual trade in the stands of the FargoDome is made, no harm and no foul.

I have telephoned Mr. Scott and informed him I do support all efforts of USA Wrestling to protect the innocent wrestler from being taken advantage of by the more experienced.

Richard, you are wrong. I started one topic on the Mat. My initial post was only made on the high school forum, after another individual posted it on the Youth Forum. Don't mean to be rude here, but get your facts straight before you go making false allegations. Anyone here wanting to see the facts as to whether or not I made the initial post on The Mat can easily go check it out. I don't think I am making a mountain out of a mole hill. I have stated that if singlets are allowed to be traded then I would be fine with that. You seem to have a belief that unless one supports everything USA does that they don't support USA wrestling. That is simply crazy. Anyone checking those forums can see for themselves that many individuals have issue with the banning of a long time tradition. I have kept my mouth shut when people become critical of you because you and I have had conversations in the past that I thought was friendly. Yet, you make an allegation that I started both topics on themat.com, and I certainly question if the real reason is to keep your name in the forefront. Frankly I am offended and insulted that you think I have anything at all to gain from this and would accuse me of "misrepresenting the facts," or essentially lying about what is going on. I have nothing to gain, but thankfully there are many others who are supporting the rights of the kids on this issue. In the times that I have personally been to national tournaments, I have never seen a single issue or incident come about because of singlet trading. I asked Nathan last night if he had ever seen any theft, bullying, etc. he just laughed and said, "No I don't know how you bully another wrestler." Frankly I could care less what people think of me on this issue, what I do care about is seeing to it that the youth of today and tomorrow, have the same rights to enjoy Fargo to the fullest as have the youth of the past. Does this mean that we can't disagree on this issue? Of course not, but to resort to lies, and making comments such as you made is uncalled for.

Original post on the mat by berrfan on youth forums: Posted: 06/30/2005 at 09:45:38 am - http://www.thematforums.com/myforum/index.php?show_topic=4931&forum_id=6

My post on the mat on High School Forums: Posted: 07/03/2005 at 5:44:18 pm - http://www.thematforums.com/myforum/index.php?show_topic=5034&forum_id=4

Dear Mr. Furches:

When clicking on the links which you provided, the first post on the thread is by Mike Furches.

If I have erred in my statement I do apologize.

Dear Mr. Furches:

The link to the Youth Forum on the initial post has been edited. As you know, the original link which you provided had your name on the top of the page.

I believe this is the link originally provided:

http://www.thematforums.com/myforum/index.php?show_topic=4931&forum_id=6&pagenum=2

A failure on my part not to realize there were two pages to the topic, and the original link you provided was to page two.

I have this flashing envelope signal on the top left of the page indicating I have an unread private message. Did you send me some love?

Yes Richard I did provide page one of the link to prevent people from thinking that I started the link as you indicated. Yes I did send you a private message, I also sent about 3 other people one yesterday on various other topics, although none of them having anything to do with the one I sent you.

My last comment on this issue: I just received notification from another individual, a moderator, of an email they received making comment about me and my activity on these forums, even calling me an “attention whore,” and talking about things that I have “pimped on the board.” The email even stated that “You know if there is anyone I wouldn’t trust with my kid it would be him.” There was much more but truth be told that I believe that it is appropriate to have fun, am not afraid to speak up and when it comes to standing up for the kids or supporting this great sport of wrestling. I have coached for over 30 years now on some level, and have participated in sport for a longer period than that.

I find it sad that much has been said to me on and off board about some of the issues surrounding the issue of trading singlets at USA events. There is the impression that because one has a negative opinion of a current event that they all of a sudden don’t have a valid opinion. Yet when I looked at this poll this morning, there was not a single voice of opposition to the kids trading singlets at Fargo or other national tournaments. The overwhelming majority of posts and opinions by others on the national forums also support this position.

To the individual who will send someone else an email but don’t have the courage to contact me personally. Rest assured, I have no desire to be everyone’s friend, frankly there are some people that I don’t like, and people who go behind another’s back to spread discord is someone I could really care less for. Regarding “the pimping” of items, as a point of clarification, I checked my records this morning and I lost $558 on the t-shirts that I had made up last year for the Kansas All-American’s. Many people can verify that I gave away most of those t-shirts. Individuals at the state tournament were just given shirts last year without even asking for them. The wrestlers on the tag-teams gave them out, and I personally gave them out, even had some offer me money and I wouldn’t take it. I don’t know who they are but they do.

I must also say this in closing, and this is no joke. I have issue with they way some of the things on this board has been going. For a moderator to call someone out and essentially call another moderator a liar is something I have issue with. I have issue with it because many individuals on this forum know that when they have spoken bad to me about certain persons I have stood up for them, and taken up for them, even discouraging the comments that are made, I won’t reveal who those people are but they will read this and know. The concept of an “attention whore” frankly bothers me. I would be lying if I said otherwise. I would have hoped that my contributions to Kansas wrestling would have been positive, unfortunately for some they have not been and their perceptions of my involvement with wrestling has been taken the wrong way. As a result I am removing myself from these boards for a lengthy period of time. I have already spoken this morning to my wife and son about making sure to hold me accountable to not be on here again, at least until the start up of the kids wrestling season.

For those that I have sent private messages to, encouraging peace, encouraging the support of wrestling, you know where I am coming from. To those who make assumptions without ever making the effort to get to know the person, hopefully this will be evidence of the fact that the last thing I wanted to be was a voice of dissention and disruption. For those others that know me, you will know that I try to keep my word so any correspondence after the posting of this post will need to be made via email as I won’t be back on the boards for a while, at least until the start of the kids wrestling season. Until then, keep posting, keep it clean, and support the kids.

Having been to at least ten seasons of Fargo dome wrestling, I have personally seen the trading of singlets up close. I see no problem with wrestlers trading singlets. Some singlets are more sought after and the owners know their particular singlets are worth more than a straight across trade, even I can see that some singlets are more popular and everyone wants to get their hands on them. Next thing we will see is all singlets will be red & blue with nothing but the state name on them, this will solve the terrible singlet swap monster. I know that many teams go to alot of thought when they come up with their jackets, shorts, t-shirts and singlets. On the subject of stealing, whenever you have this many people from all over the country coming together, you are bound to have someone take somethinbg that doesn't belong to them. Always happens, and always will, just like in high school or any other sporting event. It all boils down to the same thing, money and grown-ups. Next they will ban the card games the kids play. I personally have a closet full of singlets from all over the country that were collected, and traded for, and all my boys always looked forward to the opportunity to trade singlets, warmups, shorts and t-shirts. This didn't damage my kids, and if anything, brought them closer to wrestlers from all over the country. Who have ended up being some of their life long friends.