Jim,

This is one of those subjects to which I really don't have a logical reason as to why. Its more a personal thing with me. I LOVE WRESTLING, probably more than 90% of the people involved in our communtiy. Every year I try to schedule more and more events to work, As it is now I've got tournaments every weekend this year plus several on sunday, I've got friday tournaments, and so on and so forth. I'll probably even end up doing freestyle this summer if at all possible.

I grew up for 6 years in the kids program, and not once did I ever attend a split format tournament 2 years of Jr High, and 4 years of High school, My mom and dad hated sitting around all day waiting for me to wrestle 3 or 4 matches, so in many cases they didn't even come and watch me which was okay because I was there for me. I loved being there watching other kids' matches, playing "pogs" which was a big deal back in my kids days. Back then tournaments routinely ran into 5 and 6 pm, now days its a sin in the eyes of parents when their child has to wrestle after 3.

Since I officiate I have to be there the whole day anyway but, I much prefer there to be lots and lots of people there as oppossed to only half, I like the crowd noise, I like the excitement. Every split tournament I have been to like last years district tournament seemed like it was all procedural "get in and get out" with hardly any excitement. Yeah we were done by like 4 or 5. Like I said Jim its just a personal preference, I like to see wrestling remain in its glory of years past, as opposed to just a hobby that some people participate in and get done as fast as possible so they can get home and watch their favorite television show, or catch the football game.