mike.carman wrote:Bucktail wrote:mike.carman wrote:
They are the WVSSAC. They decide all rule changes and set all policies and hire the staff that enforce said rules and policies. The executive committee is appointed by the principals too. You are right that a grassroots approach is starting with the principals but don't be surprised if you are met with extreme resistance or are patronized by a lot of them.
I don't disagree with your point and you are likely correct in your assertion of extreme resistance. On the same vein of thought, if this issue primarily effects your students and there is a shred of justice for this vision to incorporate a design for wrestling that works more fairly and better for the community involved in its activities, then, I feel it is safe to say it is an opportunity for the Principals to demonstrate to their students that they care, in verb form, and work for a better resolution.
I completely agree with this approach. I just don't want people to go in blindly and not know what to expect and give up. I have always felt there is strength in numbers and a more proactive approach publicly would garner better results than simply posting on the forum. I myself would be very involved in a movement such as this. Where the pitfall lies is I don't think the parents will want to invest the time and energy involved in such a venture and would concede at the first sign of resistance. I hope I am completely wrong on that point but my experience has proven otherwise.
Alright, now we are getting somewhere, so let's don't throw in the towel just yet. Let's go with that "proactive, strength in numbers idea, with the foresight to not get discouraged easily" approach.
First of all, I'm guessing that, for the most part, the majority of the principals are not wrestling fanatics. I doubt they think too deeply as to the intracacies of the current situation and quite often the easiest and simplest "solution" is the one picked. It often happens in large groups making decisions far removed from the actual situation and minimally affected by the results (our government as an example).
With that being said, this forum is an example that the times we live in does have the advantage to unite many people spread out over distances in an economical way. It would seem that the only real way to affect the principals is with a group that they might grant the courtesy of assuming they have some insight greater than the principals themselves. The natural people would have to be wrestling coaches and athletic directors. I realize they would be doing this on their own free time, so they would have to have some passion to invest. An outside person or two, not necessarily a parent, maybe someone with some respect in the state among the coaches and powers-that-be could head this up and be the workhorse(s) to help facilitate things between the coaches and athletic directors. These people would have to be viewed as not having any personal interest or gains they could be accused of, other than the overall best interests of the wrestlers statewide. I certainly don't qualify for any of those roles. However, I would be willing to lend a helping hand in any way I could.
Okay, somebody with more insight into the wrestling political community than me (that would be almost anybody) who has ever posted or had a negative thought about the regions/A-AA-AAA situation/byes at the regionals and states/qualified wrestlers setting on the sidelines/etc, please pick up the gauntlet and help us move forward and get us out of our sideways and somewhat downward spiral as spring 2018 draws to a close.