I too have notice the drop of wrestlers in the state of Kansas. I have been involved with the kids for 13 years and the numbers are dropping for sure. I like the fact that people are worried about this. This proves the love people have for this sport. Our club see a lot of new wrestlers from different states each year and I have a great turn over of wrestlers each year because of the military. Parents e-mail me each year and tell me that they wish they were back in Kansas. I have kids who come to the club from other states and and tell how good they are until the first tournament and then come up to me and say whooo its tough here.
Now to get to my point and not to get slammed here but the cost of wrestling is one thing I hear parents talk about. $30 for USA card then the cost of joining a club and then $12 each tournament each week. Its not bad if you have 1 or 2 wrestlers but I have 3 and 4 out of family. Myself I have done it for 13 years and if this is what my 2 sons want to do then I will do what it takes to keep them in it. I know that clubs have to charge this amount to keep things running. I don't even mind paying at the door. Even as a coach I will pay at the door just to help a club out. Still we need to find a way to keep cost down so families don't go broke trying to keep their wrestlers wrestling. Again this is just a thought and what I hear. Some people might agree some might not I just thought I would throw it out there.