The officials are in charge-know that and live by that or pay the price

[MR TWISTER]

http://www.illinoismatmen.com/images/wrestlers/brooks_greg.jpgIn order to be a superstar you got to be ready to be a superstar. Yes, Marmion is a force but not THE force yet. That title still belongs to Montini and they showed why on Saturday.

I applaud Marmion for their willingness to take on all comers in all divisions of Illinois wrestling. One thing I think they forgot to research was the officials. Who's who in the officiating world? All the power schools like Sandburg, GBN, Providence Catholic, Lockport, Neuqua Valley, Montini, Mt. Carmel, OPRF, Minooka, etc know the officials and what works with them and what does not.

So Marmion coaches (especially assistants) you would be wise to learn officials like Dan Fulcher, Greg Brooks, Ray Winesberg (the second official yesterday), Greg Anderson, Jeff Bowers, Jim Chaloupka, Frank Filippi, Jeff Sorenson, John Haneberg, and Tony Clarke, among others. You met Jon Schaus yesterday. Everyone in the state knows that if Jon tells you something that you might want to heed his instructions. You won't get a second chance. Going back and forth with him can only lead to what it lead to, ejection, negative points and embarrassment for you or your program.

These officials will be at both individual and team state. And all I can say is be glad that Tom Heniff is no longer officiating. You might of forfeited the entire dual yesterday trying to smart mouth him. He probably will be the head of officials at state so don't take any complaints to him because you won't win. And for those that told you that Schaus was too much a show, had Kevin Tann been in the building not only would he of been the show but he would not of put up with any nonsense either, but he was busy doing DI, DII college so you probably caught a break there.

In fact here is a hint for Coach Whitford and anyone else new to Illinois wrestling from a long time observer. When you get to state and just before the finals pay close attention to when they announce the officials. Listen to who gets boo'd the most by the fans. Circle their names in your state program. Those would be the ones to not mess with during your duals in the future. There is a reason the fans know them. They have earned those boos over the years and to be honest they are proud of those boo's. Now Marmion will add their voices to the boos for Jon Schaus, a former booed champion at state.

The wise coach knows how far to push the officials and the best coaches don't even talk to the officials. If you know you got the horses (no pun intended Montini) then no need to mix words with the officials. And in particular yelling at them will get you in big trouble with the elite officials. Now you can listen or read the different post in this thread that say Schaus is this and that but in the end he has the whistle and the credentials to back it up. That means what he says goes, you won't be changing his mind, bullying him into anything but trouble for yourself and he will be on a lot of high profile matches. He is not going anywhere anytime soon. So you, the Marmion coaching staff need to adjust to the official because he does not and will not adjust to you.

That ejection in my opinion took a lot of momentum and fire out of your team. It turned the crowd against your team and really put the Montini machine in overdrive. Once that happened...well...you saw the result. Keep your cool, especially when your team is not wrestling well.

Lesson for today, learn your officials, or pay the price.

[Rob Sherrill]

Mr. Twister, I could not agree with you more. Leave it to you to speak the harsh...but honest...truth.

It was almost comical to see some folks on the forum attempt to blame the officiating for a 27-point loss. Any attempt to blame something that both teams had to deal with equally...regardless of the margin of victory or defeat...is an excuse and nothing more.

As I commented here last night, when you watched this match, you knew one of the teams had been there before...and the other one hadn't. And it became pretty obvious which one was which.

Redemption starts Saturday. Let's move on.

[stokjok]

Calling out the Marmion coaches via a front page blog doesn't seem quite right. A personal note might have been more appropriate.

- a neutral fan

[MR TWISTER]

Calling out the Marmion coaches via a front page blog doesn't seem quite right. A personal note might have been more appropriate.

- a neutral fan
What? :eek: I am not calling anyone out. I am saying what was seen. Everyone has seen the dual. A thousand people live and and more that on the archived views since yesterday. If you were not there then you have seen the video. :o

And I like the Marmion coaches. Please don't make or take my opinion personal. I got nothing personal with the Marmion program, coaches, kids, parents or fans so please don't say that. They have been nothing but professional and personable with me. I am just doing my reporting job in the way that I report things. What I see is what you get. :cool:

I would of said what I said no matter what the name of the team was. It's on video for anyone to see and make their own opinion. That was my view point but I can assure you I am not the only one that thinks along those lines.:rolleyes:

I believe everything is a learning tool. It is the educator in me. Marmion is going to be a fantastic national representative for Illinois wrestling in the future. If what happened this weekend at Montini makes them stronger then that is a victory for their program. If it crushes and divides them then it is a true loss. Nothing I write will control or effect their outcome.:cool::rolleyes:

[doc]

Since he was ejected is he required to sit out regionals from coaching?

[ILWrestle]

Calling out the Marmion coaches via a front page blog doesn't seem quite right. A personal note might have been more appropriate.

- a neutral fan

I'm afraid I have to agree here. "Calling out" may not be the right words, but you're definitely lecturing the Marmion coaches.

If the site admins feel they have the right to use the IM front page to admonish a coaching staff or individual, then so be it. I guess that's the nature of free press. But I don't respect it and respectfully ask that it be removed. The AA forum or PM is a more appropriate (and professional) place for this kind of direct intervention in my opinion.

Mick Torres
ILWrestle.com

[Rob Sherrill]

The reaction to Mr. Twister's blog post has been interesting. I don't think I'd have said my piece that way, but let's not get so hung up on the method used to convey the message that we ignore the lesson to be learned.

As much as I root for new teams to enter the spotlight when they have the opportunity - I'm their biggest fan - I also think there can be such a thing as too much success too soon. When everything goes right, as it has for Marmion almost the entire season (and good for them), the success curve often progresses faster than the learning curve does. Learning to be the big man on campus means learning how to respond to adversity with the same resolve and class with which you respond to success. Learning to be the big man on campus means accepting the fact that you're going to become the team everybody else roots against. Learning to be the big man on campus means not making excuses for circumstances that a) are within your control; and b) both teams have to deal with equally in the course of a match. The team's wrestlers and most of the coaching staff likely already get it. The fans will need to do the same.

When you're ready to learn those lessons and apply them, you're ready to take the next step. If they're not your thing, maybe it's time to re-assess your objectives.

[admin]

I'm afraid I have to agree here. "Calling out" may not be the right words, but you're definitely lecturing the Marmion coaches.

If the site admins feel they have the right to use the IM front page to admonish a coaching staff or individual, then so be it. I guess that's the nature of free press. But I don't respect it and respectfully ask that it be removed. The AA forum or PM is a more appropriate (and professional) place for this kind of direct intervention in my opinion.

Mick Torres
ILWrestle.com
Remember that this is a blog (opinion column) and not a news story. People don't always agree with Twist, but he is not afraid to express his opinion.

Maybe we need to put a disclaimer at the beginning of Twist's blog posts.

[Danny Burk]

The reaction to Mr. Twister's blog post has been interesting. I don't think I'd have said my piece that way, but let's not get so hung up on the method used to convey the message that we ignore the lesson to be learned.

As much as I root for new teams to enter the spotlight when they have the opportunity - I'm their biggest fan - I also think there can be such a thing as too much success too soon. When everything goes right, as it has for Marmion almost the entire season (and good for them), the success curve often progresses faster than the learning curve does. Learning to be the big man on campus means learning how to respond to adversity with the same resolve and class with which you respond to success. Learning to be the big man on campus means accepting the fact that you're going to become the team everybody else roots against. Learning to be the big man on campus means not making excuses for circumstances that a) are within your control; and b) both teams have to deal with equally in the course of a match. The team's wrestlers and most of the coaching staff likely already get it. The fans will need to do the same.

When you're ready to learn those lessons and apply them, you're ready to take the next step. If they're not your thing, maybe it's time to re-assess your objectives.

Very well said Rob. I think that Marmion still has a long way to go to earn their spot at the top and I think Saturday was a good example of that. Great teams not only deal with success in a classy manner but they also deal with adversity with similar class. I think Marmion has the right idea going on they just need to continue to work and continue to build the program.
One question I have - how many "coaches" for Marmion are also parents of Marmion wrestlers??

[Jaguar]

Calling out the Marmion coaches via a front page blog doesn't seem quite right. A personal note might have been more appropriate.

- a neutral fan
It is fair game, as it was a broadcast event and in the public domain. Mr. Twister did what any journalist might legitimately do and commented.

[Rob Sherrill]

Good intervention, admin. However, I don't think a disclaimer would be necessary. Let's face it, controversial issues are the lifeblood of this site. People love reading about them and talking about them. That's why they're here. They also know that those of us who blog regularly have our own individual styles when it comes to expressing our opinions.

When controversy is expressed in a manner that people disagree with, they respond...as some have here. If a significant part of the readership were really offended, there would be hundreds of responses. I think the fact that there are relatively few indicates Twist was pretty close to the mark.

[Jaguar]

I'm afraid I have to agree here. "Calling out" may not be the right words, but you're definitely lecturing the Marmion coaches.

If the site admins feel they have the right to use the IM front page to admonish a coaching staff or individual, then so be it. I guess that's the nature of free press. But I don't respect it and respectfully ask that it be removed. The AA forum or PM is a more appropriate (and professional) place for this kind of direct intervention in my opinion.

Mick Torres
ILWrestle.com
I respect your opinion and your contribution to Illinois wrestling as a competitor and in what you now do, but I also respectfully disagree. This is a media site, like a newspaper. The event was broadcast for everyone to see and remains in teh public domain. I know this is not professional sports. I take a similar view when people are making comments about kids. They are not professional athletes who make a living from their sport. Coaches, however, are adults and do get paid (albeit not what they are worth). Media report and comment. That is what they do, and that is what Mr. Twister did.

[MR TWISTER]

What is interesting to me is that no one from Marmion coaching staff has said a word about being offended by my piece. In fact I received a note today from a coach on the Marmion staff that says he agrees with what I said in it's entirely. He indicated that Marmion has taken what I and others have said to heart and are learning from the experience.

I will never mince words in my column. That is why I was given the column in the first place. It is the place where I will continue to speak my mind as I stated in my very first column. http://illinoismatmen.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2533

I will continue to ask the tough questions that others only think but won't ask. And I will continue to seek the tough answers that some will only give to a select few in the wrestling media. One sure way to avoid controversial comments is to not do controversial things.

I don't think the Marmion coaches are offended therefore I won't change my style. Marmion found me to indicate they had no problem and so can any other coach find me should I decide to write about their programs or actions either negative or positive.

If everything I wrote was politically correct then that would not be me. I must continue to be me. If the day comes when I am asked to be someone other than Andre' Morgan then that will be my last day involved with wrestling.

Consider me the Jay Mariotti of the wrestling media...

[ILWrestle]

I respect your opinion and your contribution to Illinois wrestling as a competitor and in what you now do, but I also respectfully disagree. This is a media site, like a newspaper. The event was broadcast for everyone to see and remains in teh public domain. I know this is not professional sports. I take a similar view when people are making comments about kids. They are not professional athletes who make a living from their sport. Coaches, however, are adults and do get paid (albeit not what they are worth). Media report and comment. That is what they do, and that is what Mr. Twister did.

My only concern has to do with "where" it was posted. I am not disagreeing with the article or Twist's responsibility to report and comment for IM. I just don't think it needs to be a lead article along with the otherwise noteworthy wrestling stories of the day. If this is a media site as you say, "like a newspaper," ask yourself, would that type of commentary or editorial opinion be a lead story on the front page? I oversee five school websites and if this was one of my sites, because it singles out a group and an individual in a negative way, I'd ask that it be moved to the inside...where it belongs. We can agree to disagree here and if I'm disagreeing to the standards Admin set forth for you guys, OK. I only commented because I care about IM and its reputation. Many coaches and fans who frequently visit this site, including the hundreds of coaches I speak to every season, depend on IM for its outstanding coverage, rankings and up-to-date tournament and dual results and yet rarely visit the forums because of the trash talking and rumor-monging that appears on the surface to prevail. The article is a direct and personal message to the Marmion staff. Consider how they feel and then ask yourself, should it be on the front page of this newspaper or in the editorial section?

[MR TWISTER]

My only concern has to do with "where" it was posted. I am not disagreeing with the article or Twist's responsibility to report and comment for IM. I just don't think it needs to be a lead article along with the otherwise noteworthy wrestling stories of the day. If this is a media site as you say, "like a newspaper," ask yourself, would that type of commentary or editorial opinion be a lead story on the front page? I oversee five school websites and if this was one of my sites, because it singles out a group and an individual in a negative way, I'd ask that it be moved to the inside...where it belongs. We can agree to disagree here and if I'm disagreeing to the standards Admin set forth for you guys, OK. I only commented because I care about IM and its reputation. Many coaches and fans who frequently visit this site, including the hundreds of coaches I speak to every season, depend on IM for its outstanding coverage, rankings and up-to-date tournament and dual results and yet rarely visit the forums because of the trash talking and rumor-monging that appears on the surface to prevail. The article is a direct and personal message to the Marmion staff. Consider how they feel and then ask yourself, should it be on the front page of this newspaper or in the editorial section?They don't have a problem with what is said or where it is placed. The Marmion staff has my contact info and they have contacted me as I stated in my last post. At the risk of sounding vain there are many people that come here to read my blog and other blogs here. As much as regular news stories are a draw so is my blog. That is why I only write when I have something to say. Saturday I had to say something and my blog was the place I had to say it. The beauty of being American is the press can not be censored.

This is really a non issue and as Jaguar said, let's not lose the real message here. That message surely is not where my comments or opinions are placed. If what I write effects how Marmion coaches then I am much more powerful then I should be. And on a final note there are plenty of websites and newspapers that run columns on there front page.

[ILWrestle]

The reaction to Mr. Twister's blog post has been interesting. I don't think I'd have said my piece that way, but let's not get so hung up on the method used to convey the message that we ignore the lesson to be learned.


You bet Rob. Great article Twist! ...And there's huge mutual respect here Mr. D. This site has become the focal point for the entire IL wrestling community and I proudly announce at all the tournaments I run to "please be sure to check Illinois Matmen for up-to-date tournament brackets and coverage." I'm not a media guy, I'm a Technology Director. Without standards, guidelines, publishing rules and most importantly, site administrators, our websites end up looking a lot less like a newspaper and more like a MySpace page. Thanks for all you do...

Mick