It’s a common practice for school boards to adopt proposals that tie academic performance to after school activities. In most cases, if students fail to maintain a certain academic average they become ineligible to participate in after school activities like cheerleading, tennis and chorus. The prevailing philosophy is that students are more apt to improve… Read More: How Kids Learn to Reach their Full Potential »
Here is a great article regarding a stand out scholastic wrestler who chose football as his collegiate sport of choice. Every football coach in America should read it… http://www.centredaily.com/2013/07/25/3704383/penn-state-football-carsons-wrestling.html
For this edition of wadeschalles.com I would like to share an email thread between myself and a father who was wondering at what age is a young man ready to tackle wrestling. “In your opinion coach, how long should I wait before starting my son in wrestling?” I responded:
I had the privilege of listening to Mike Novogratz speak at the pre-meet social at this weekend’s NWCA All-Star Classic. He left us all energized and encouraged. Here is his speech below. . . notice if you would the differences between what those who have achieved are saying and those who are struggling to lead are doing? A… Read More: A Call to Action – by Mike Novogratz »
Looking Back USAWrestling isn’t what it used to be. I remember very vividly when the AAU were the bad guys and a fledgling group known as the USWF headed by Steve Combs wore the white hats and began making waves. To look back on it now, comparing the old AAU to the current USAWrestling, there’s… Read More: USAWrestling Isn’t What It Used To Be »
Lineups are starting to be announced for the NWCA All Star Classic. A BIG match-up was announced that is equal to the Dake vs. Taylor event from last year. This year, NCAA champion Logan Stieber from Ohio State will be wrestling NCAA champion Kendrick Maple from Oklahoma. At last year NCAA championships, Logan won at… Read More: Stieber vs. Maple »
Honoring Clinicians Clinicians are the only group remaining that isn’t represented at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame or recognized by any of the national media outlets. Wrestling on the other hand does pay tribute to their coaches, athletes, contributors and officials as they should but not clinicians and I can’t figure out why? I… Read More: All Star Classic Wrestling Clinic »
Here is a well-written piece in the Huffington Post on the Olympic debacle by actor Billy Baldwin. He wrestled at Berner High in Massapequa, NY and then collegiately at Binghamton University. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/william-baldwin-/reflections-from-buenos-a_b_3902517.html Good stuff, outstanding writing.
Congratulations to all that did so much for wrestling. Jim Scherr for his tireless energy and effective presentation. President Putin for his sophisticative (I know, it’s a new word I just made up) approach to lobbying the IOC membership. America’s Big 5 business leaders who gave hundreds of hours of personal time and generous amounts of resources to the… Read More: We’re Back… until 2024 »
This Sunday, the IOC will reinstate wrestling for the 2020 and 2024 Olympics. As soon as the announcement is made there will be many sighs of relief and cheers of joy, all heard around the globe but the question is what then? Where does wrestling go from there and how do we make sure something… Read More: After We Win, Then What? »
Several weeks ago I placed a video here that sold the benefits of Squash. I felt it was important for you see what the other sports were doing relative to our efforts. So now it’s our turn. Please take a moment to watch this amazing piece of artistry from the desks of Nick Garone and Geoff Riccio. What a masterful job they… Read More: Great Video . . . Go Wrestling! »
At least in my opinion we are, but not as a provisional sport. Instead I believe the IOC will reject their Executive Committee’s decision to eliminate wrestling and keep it as a core sport. Translation: we’re back! Why would they take that position?
This is an article from yesterday’s New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/18/sports/wrestling-adapts-in-hopes-of-staying-in-olympics.html?_r=1& Kudos to President Lalovic and FILA. This past week they evened the weight classes from 7-7-4 to 6-6-6 as part of their efforts to become IOC compliant and reiterated their support for women in leadership positions. That was a strong move on their part. If only FILA’s previous… Read More: FILA’s Getting It, USAWrestling Isn’t »
The following article is an interview with wrestling’s new world leader, Nenad Lalovic. In it, President Lalovic states the obvious; that wrestling’s departure from the Olympics was the fault of FILA and its Board members, not the IOC.
To begin . . . the following paragraph is the IOC’s Mission Statement regarding gender equity relative to events and administrative structures. “The IOC is committed to gender equity in sport. The Olympics Charter states that one of the roles of the IOC is “to encourage and support the promotion of women in sport at all… Read More: Is Gender Equity Wrestling’s Undoing at the Olympics? »
In the last few weeks I have received many emails regarding FILA and USAWrestling. Here are some excerpts for you. I’ll let their words take the issue front and center.
Last year, for the first time ever, the annual NCAA All Star Classic was an absolute sell out; complete with the names of several thousand anxious wrestling fans on a waiting list. Needless to say the sponsor, the Greater Washington Wrestling Business Network (GWWBN) was more than ecstatic.
It’s wonderful that wrestling received eight of the 15 votes to become one of three sports who will make presentations in September. But in no way does this mean we have room for optimism. To the contrary, all that took place in St. Petersburg was we overcame the challenges of five considerably weaker opponents while… Read More: 2020 Olympic Wrestling: We Shouldn’t Get Too Confident »
Statement from USA Wrestling President, Jim Ravannack “USA Wrestling is pleased with the decision of the International Olympic Committee Executive Board to select wrestling as one of the three sports on the short list for consideration for a position in the 2020 Olympic Games program.
I had people over to the house to watch the Rumble on the Rails, the dual meet between the United States and Iran. Each of them are far from being wrestling aficionados, actually two of the three had never watched a match before.
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia — As the man leading wrestling’s charge to preserve its Olympic status, Nenad Lalovic believes he’s done what it takes.
In a brief media release this week, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) shed a little more light on the announcement in St Petersburg next week of the final shortlist of sports bidding to make the 2020 Olympic Games.
I have to say watching this Olympic level challenge play out has been fascinating. It’s been a blend of emotional roller coaster meets tilt-a-whirl. I read one email and it suggests everything is a done deal and we’re back. The next has my head spinning, where a complete overhaul of FILA and USAWrestling is being suggested… Read More: 2020 Olympic Wrestling – Time to Thin the Herd »
I Vote For Squash!? Wow, I mean wow . . . here’s a video EVERYONE should watch. It’s Squash’s prelude to being accepted into the Olympic Games and one of wrestling’s main competitors.
Here is a letter that Chuck Harman just had delivered to each member of the IOC Board and allowed me to see in advance of it being sent. Chuck is right on the money, it’s a must read!
A Comedy of Errors As soon as the news broke of our departure from the Olympics, FILA responded with an 11 to 10 vote of no confidence regarding Martinetti’s ability to govern. The vote was actually baffling.
May 10, 2013 Following his resignation given on February 16th, 2013, the former President of FILA, Mr Raphael Martinetti, has sued FILA in front of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland.
How We Got Here? It’s often said, “It’s wiser to whisper advice from cover than risk doing it while walking point.” Although I understand the benefits of whispering, there is simply too much riding on the sport’s current issues to remain silent.
