Author Archives: Wade Schalles

How Kids Learn to Reach their Full Potential

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 »

Football and wrestling – the perfect match

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

What Age Should Kids Start Wrestling?

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:

A Call to Action – by Mike Novogratz

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 »

USAWrestling Isn’t What It Used To Be

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 »

Stieber vs. Maple

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 »

All Star Classic Wrestling Clinic

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 »

Billy Baldwin Takes on the IOC

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.

We’re Back… until 2024

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 »

After We Win, Then What?

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 »

Great Video . . . Go Wrestling!

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 »

Wrestling is Back in the Olympics

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?

FILA’s Getting It, USAWrestling Isn’t

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 »

2013 NWCA All Star Classic – Who’s on Your Must-See List?

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.

Martinetti Loses Round One

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.