Looking for some feedback from either wrestlers or coaches in regards to what you look for in a tournament. Things to consider would be 2 day vs. 1 day, format: Round Robin, Dual Format, Pool format, bracketed, etc... Other things to consider would be hospitality, accommodations, etc... Anything else you can think of.

Louisburg High School would like to put together a tournament next year either the last weekend in December or the first weekend in January. Are there any schools that would like to see some new competition, or change tournaments, or would like anything different? We would also like to have a JV Round Robin tournament in our auxiliary gym the same time as our varsity tournament.

Even though tradtional bracketed tournaments are still the norm, round-robins are coming thing. Instead of bringing along some kids that go 0-2 and sit for the rest of the day, you can give everyone four or five matches and really have a true champion because everyone will have wrestled everyone else.

hospitality room

Blane,

I think many of our tournaments have gotten so large that we are losing the wrestling fan. So with that in mind here are some ideas that might help your tournament fan base.

Keep your tournament reasonable in size for your facility and time frame. It is annoying to bounce between two gyms or sitting so long at the tournament that your butt is flat for the next two weeks.

I would suggest whatever format you use (brackets or pools) find away to team score the meet. Have that team score visable and update at all times. Getting them into what the team is doing keeps them from leaving as soon as their little Billy wrestles, and sells more concessions.

Supply fans with a program that has team lineups that are current and a means to understand the scoring system that you are using. Also, in the program create a way for the fan to track the scoring on their own. With a little creativity you can make a program that has interesting features and is marketable.

Have a full blown concession stand and clearly marked clean restrooms, so that the fan does not have to leave the area for either. The concession stand is also a great way of making money for your parents or booster club.


Finally, farm out all of these things to parents, faculty members, and students in your community. Doing so generates interest in your program. Anyway, you are the coach and you don't have time to be doing those things yourself.

Gary Ulmer

the same things that i look for in a woman

nice skin, a sense of humor, and eyes that i could get lost in

As a fan and parent, dual tournaments are a lot more enjoyable to watch for me. Your school wrestles as a team, so their entire fan base is in the stands watching not only their child/grandchild, etc. but all of their teammates as well since they all wrestle back-to-back. The team score is also usually displayed and updated during a dual match. With more "fans" in the stands for each "home team" wrestler, it just creates a lot more intense environment, especially if it is a close dual.

bump

Needing some more suggestions as well as some coaches who would consider bringing a team. Looking for a change?

I'm in trouble then...I doubt I'll be able to find a long walk on the beach at any tournament in Kansas!

Coach, that might be the best quote ever on this forum!

I am delighted that you appreciate my sentiment.