Original Post By bruno (24.154.229.131) February 03, 2010 Subject: Another college wrestling program bites the dust...
Duquesne domps it's wrestling program:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10031/1032380-150.stm Reply By liftanddrive --(24.3.147.97)-- When I read that article I almost fainted. I cannot believe the coach misled my son about getting a scholarship there. I sucked my kid down 2 weight classes from 6 and 60 lbs to 6 under 50 for Tulsa and now I come to find that it aint gonna happen. Any colleges looking to recruit my son; a potential stud who won 1st at the Ringgold Odd Age Tourney? I have papers on his work out schedule, diet, and a video highlight dvd available.
Reply By mdgrappler --(69.250.62.110)-- Well, go ahead and laugh, but this is a sad commentary in my opinion. What? There are something like 250,000 high school wrestlers? About 800 DI slots?
You know, those of us that are serious about this put a ton of time and effort into this and there are innumerable intangible benefits to be sure.
But it's kind of sad to think that are kids are spending such a significant % of their time in a sport where there are essentially no opportunities to "go pro," an exceedingly small number of opportunites to get some money tossed their way for college, and a diminishing number of opportunities to engage in the sport at any level after high school.
The good news? Without regard to wrestling beyond high school, I already know that wrestling has made my kid a better person, a better citizen, a better student, and hopefully a better man.
Reply By fan56 --(69.136.72.15)-- the true measurement of a sports significance is in the revenue it generates.that means wrestling must get on television.if this sport is introduced to the youth in the larger urban centers the exposure will come just by closer proximity to major media.the phillies are applying this principal through its RBI LEAGUE in phila. and the flyers are doing the same thing at cobbs creek ice skating rink.
Reply By Badcat --(65.112.250.245)-- There are more academic scholarships than Wrestling scholarships. My little wrestler is going for an academic, and then wrestling for whomever will give him a shot.
Duquesne was never really a wrestling school. I saw this one coming. Now, if it were Clarion, Bloomsburg, etc...different story.
Reply By candcbrothers4 --(98.219.179.85)-- slippery rock was a damn shame when they dropped theirs.
Reply By Badcat --(65.112.250.245)-- I've heard coach's state that wrestling is a dying sport...and I call BS. Any of us who frequent the tournament scene know how many kids are wrestling on Saturdays and Sundays. The Cedar Cliff and Central Dauphin match was standing room only...it was amazing. The issue with Wrestling is that Money is tough all over and programs need to be cut. Hell, at Penn State, Football is the only sport that makes money for the school, and it helps to fund the other sports. It's the nature of the beast. Most kids get a basketball, baseball, football for Christmas...how many get a 10x10 home mat? Just about any kid can play any other sport, but wrestling? it takes a special breed of kid to get pounded on, worked to exhaustion during the week, and go home empty handed on some weekends.
Dying sport? I don't think so. I feel like most ADs don't understand the sport, and have little appreciation for it. Wrestling needs a PR campaign on a national scale. We need another Vision Quest. We need to show the great things about this sport, the things we see grow within our own kids.
I'm off my soap box. Have a great week people.
Jer
Reply By Bubba7 --(70.20.111.101)-- Amen Badcat
Reply By mpk980207 --(69.19.14.15)-- I hope it is not a dying sport, that would be a real shame. Today's elementary wrestlers are tomorrow's HS and College wrestlers. I see conflicting signs. I have and 8 year old and a 12 year old. I think the quality and level of wrestling at 8&U is much better than when my 12-year old was in that age group. Kids are starting younger and getting better younger. But, our elementary program had 77 kids when my 12-year old was in kindergarten. We have 21 this year. That is not a good sign. Also, the numbers at the tournaments seem to be way down this year. Is it just the economy?
Reply By tdogdad --(71.60.188.76)-- all depends on the weight classes if its stacked or not and talent wise some weights are crazy...look @ 14 u...many guys between 85 and 105 that are killers just all bunched up. Now for 12-u. They all seem to be spread out with the top 2 or 3 kids just being so dominant, thats why the 12 and under team that I've been involved with just crushes all the other States 12 and under has crazy talent just spread out as where 14 -u its insane for 3 or 4 weight classes to be so locked up with Great guys. They also kick big time butt! Remember the boys that are 12 now most of them were on the AAU NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM and 14 -u is the AAU NATIONAL CHAMPS MIDDLE SCHOOL. crazy talent. Then top killers like Chishko, Marsteller ect...mpk what weight is your boy in 12 and under. I keep hearing about low #'s but also programs that never had matches are now hosting their own lil matches and yes more people are staying local. It is a sign that we live in a sissy (not the actual word I wanted to use!) society, where your boys, cant run @ recess and we have to be politcally correct even @ age 6 and 7. Society is making sissys out of our boys and its our job as red blooded americans to not let that happen. You know 4th of july, red, white and blue, baseball (wrestling) and apple pie. So, do your part keep your kid in wrestling. I think with UFC being so popular give it time, wrestling will bounce back or did we start to weed out the lazy? This sport is the tuffest sport out there, be proud of the way the boys train, even the lil guys that are not winning are training their butts off, it makes them men and as parents we have to build on that to make them Gentlemen. Pa is bad ass wrestling so your in one of the tuffest states to wrestle in. I'll check with a friend who would know if #'s are down, I'm not sure they are but, yes the wrestling is much better.
