I had the misfortune of watching the 8 and under mat today at the wichita classic. dont get me wrong the kids were great but the parents were absolutely ridiculous from some of the clubs. Fighting on the mat with other coaches, cussing up a storm and it was not just the coaches but some moms and dads as well. I dont like to put my son in a glass house but he sure does not have to be exposed to that type of behavior. On the way home my son asked, "Dad, why do some parents use the F word at one another after matches. He is 8, try to explain that, one club in particular and I will not mention it by name but from Wichita and blue in color and goes by 3 letters. If my son was a part of your club with the parent behavior I saw today, we would be in a new club tomorrow. It was absolutely ridiculous how the coaches, and parents of both sexes acted after and during matches. I mean come over and push a coach from behind after a match, to follow him out to the head table area.... your not just hurting your kid but giving wrestling a bad name. Thank God our club does not act like that, accepts calls from officials who are human and make mistakes and loves there little matratters win or lose!!

The more I think about it the more I think I am going to contact the club and let them know how embarrassing they were today. Get a life people its for kids to compete, learn values and have fun and being a coach for over 21 years, I can tell you from many experiences you are only hurting your son.

Just my two cents!!!

Kudos to all the kids at the 8 year old mat, you were better sports than your parents who should be setting the example.

Matratter