Alot of the poor sportsmanship starts with the parents and coaches. Some does not. Most parents and coaches are wonderful, but a few very vocal ones set a "very visible image" that sometimes leaves a bigger impression. In one very heated match in the quarterfinals between 2 state placers from last year I heard one coach cuss and the ref, the crowd, the opposing coaches, and anyone else who was in ear shot. He screamed racial remarks and profanity and threatened the other coaches. (I was not one of them, one of my wrestlers was up next) It was horrible. And for some unknown reason he was not removed. If a wrestler did the same actions, he would be thrown out. Now what type of example do you think that set for every wrestler on his team or any kid that was watching? Even if that teams parents are in total support of sportsmanship, all that is out the window with the actions of the coach. One of the biggest lessons learned from wrestling is one of self-control. If we get emotional and throw things (as posted earlier) we do not need to be coaching. There is a difference between being emotional and being an *** . The state as a whole needs to drop the hammer on this and maybe the officials could do a better job if we gave them better working conditions. (I believe that referees as a whole do a pretty good job. Most are in it becuase they love it. Some are in it for the money, but I would have to think it is rare for any ref to be out to screw anyone). Some of the top officials in the state refuse to ref kids because of the working conditions, hours and access of parents and coaches (many more that the two in a corner) to the mat. Maybe if we improved the environment we could attract more of the top level refs.

Regarless, all of need to police our own teams, and ourselves. To help us in that effort the state should enforce with zero tolerance to the coaches, and maybe one warning to the kids better actions. When one of your seven year old wrestlers says he does't want to wrestle against another kid, not becuase of the kid but because "he is scared of the other coach". Something is very wrong. That happened to me.

Something to think about.

Good things happen to good people, and hard work will overcome good luck.