Each season I have coached I see a dramatic drop off in the interest in my wrestlers this time of year. I wonder if other clubs face the same problems. As I try to figure out a cause I think its actually pretty simple . . . our season is just too long. Most clubs start in mid-November and end in March. Our competative season is actually longer than the College Division I season.

When I was a little wrestler (if my memory serves me right) we started practice in December, had our first competition in January, and were done as we are now in March. As a 7, 8, 9 year old kid back then, that seemed long. I wonder what a 5 year old thinks today?

Over the last 35 years the interest in our sport in Kansas has changed greatly. The numbers of kids has probably grown six or seven fold, we have seen a dramatic increase in the number of 5 and 6 year olds competing, and along the way (in 1982-83 I think) we added the 16 and under division. The competition level has also grown incredibly. I am constantly amazed at the level of wrestling I see in these very young boys - a level that was probably better than I saw wrestling Division I 25 years ago.

Here are two main thoughts:

1. Lets focus the "Kids Division" on "kids". Add the 6 and Under division and let the 16 and Under division go (yep, I voted against the 6 and Under divsion two years ago, but now I see it has a place. I was wrong). This is nothing to take away from what Ottawa does - in fact they've done a heck of a service, they have proven to us that the 6 and Unders can wrestle in a State level tournament. I know it would be nice to keep the high school kids but the high school kids have other opportunities. Let's keep the focus on the little guys.

2. Let's shorten the season to end the week before the State High School tournament. I think this would help lower the "drop out" rate especially for the little guys (remember, focus on little guys). I hate to admit it but I think Oklahoma is right on this one, and I think their schedule is probably a lot better than ours. As a side note, this would also allow us all a greater ability to support our local high schools by being able to attend the State H.S. tournametns, and allow some of us old dogs to go watch the Big 12 Championships or NCAA Championships. Under the current system I'll be able to go watch the NCAA's in 2022 - when my youngest is no longer in the 16 and Under "kid's division".

I don't think what our organization has done in the past has been wrong or bad, I just think our sport has changed, and those participating in it has changed alot over the years. We need to change as an organization as well.

I realize that there are some very good arguments against any of these changes, but by posting this I wanted to get some dialogue going and see what other's think. I also realize that some changes can't occur for years because of scheduling, but that doesn't mean we can't make plans to change things down the road.