Will, I do respect you. I have seen 1st hand the work that you have put into helping youth wrestling in this part of the state. Just because I disagree with you on some things, does not mean that I don’t respect you.



Actually I believe the majority of that money goes to the state, who then divides the money up based on the enrollment of each school, granting weight to certain students who require more to educate. There fore USD 232 does not receive a lot of that money because your children attends else where (a choice that you are free to make, and for which I pass no judgement- you should do what you feel is best for your children). The exception is for bond issues and also for the mill levy tax, which you may be referring your $80,000. If everyone could just put their money into the school they wanted to, that would lead to the catastrophic collapse of the educational system. The vast majority of students would still be stuck in the school in which they lived near, but those with the resources to go elsewhere would simply take their more substantial money and apply it to a much smaller portion of the kids. That would be very disastrous for the majority of kids in Kansas. Fortunately our system is set up to benefit all, not just those willing and able to pay for something else.



As far as I know, he has no say regarding any rule changes for the support, other than participating on a committee regarding the weight loss program. I too wish that the 2 pound growth allowance would be awarded after break, and I think is something the KWCA should continue to push for.



If this rule were to be changed so that wrestling coaches could have unrestricted access to athletes outside of season, that rule would most likely be changed for all sports. I for one do not want to see that happen. Imagine if you will that football coaches (even though I am a FB coach also, I know the rep that many FB coaches have which is why I am picking on them) could then coach their kids all year. This would lead to a situation that would not foster multi-sport athletes, and in my opinion the sport of wrestling would lose many- many fine wrestlers, because they would be forced to make a decision- and lets face it football for many is easier and a more glamorous sport. I just think there are a lot of consequences that would be negative for our sport’s participation.



As far as the travel restriction I feel someone else already addressed that, although I don’t think it is a valid argument to say not everyone could do it, so no one can do it. Some schools won’t allow any overnight stays during the season due to budget restrictions, but there aren’t rule to out law that for other schools. I think the biggest concern for KSHSAA is time away from school. Maybe the rule should be a limit on number of school days missed for competition instead of a mileage rule. That would be more difficult to enforce- but in my opinion would be a better way to address the core issue.

I also agree with Coach Seibel, that my main job is to prepare young people to be good citizens. Hopefully I can make a positive impact in that regard, working with other peoples children. I feel that adequate respect for that endeavor would do a lot to help recruit people into the profession.