MR TWISTER
01-24-2006, 12:25 PM
Well as the season winds down I figure it is time to clear my head on several subjects.
Parental Involvement: Over the last few weeks I have been contacted by several parents on several different subjects. Most were concerned about their kids and wanted my opinion on their kids ability and how the kids were being perceived. I only have my own personal opinion of a particular wrestler. And that opinion probably does not matter to a lot of people. But I am more than glad to share it with you face to face, never over the internet.
Misuse of the website: I had a poster attempt to take my pmail post to him of which he requested a private answer to a question and turn it around and edit it to say something other than what I wrote. This person then mailed the re-edited version to some of my son's competition in the hopes of stirring up some action or trouble. What a shame that there really are sick people that are too involved in a kids sport to get that into it to start controversy. Needless to say he got banned but that is not the purpose of the site and it should not of come to that. Just let the kid's wrestle and sit back and enjoy.
The Golden Era is here: Although I have not seen every group or era of Illinois High School wrestling I am convinced that the current group over the last 4-6 years are special. The talent level is very high and the coaching is superb. Many people including myself seem to think that Illinois is one of the top 5 states out of 48 that compete in the United States. We have non state qualifiers that would do very well in other states. We have placers that would win titles in other states. And I believe the Freestyle – Greco team will win the national title this summer. Close the last two years you will see them on the top step and you heard it here first.
Publicity and the Media: It is so interesting how many people want publicity for their team yet don't do the necessary things to get it. Most teams don't have a wrestling website so that information can be found on the team. Want an example? Check out Glenbard North's site. Or Sandburgs. When I go to cover a dual it is often hard to find a printed roster with year in school or even names of wrestlers and coaches on it. Most schools don't fax results from duals to their local papers in a timely manner so results are often not in the paper. I wonder how many schools have a video, Television studio or radio broadcast program yet don't broadcast their own wrestling teams. Many teams do not consistently update the illinoismatmen.com dual results section. And we had one team that did update but listed no names. How weird. Like they were keeping a secret on who wrestled from the world. It is almost impossible for the media to find a teams schedule and where they wrestle. Help yourself before you can expect us to help you.
Seniors-The end is near: I can't tell you how many people approached me about my last collumn and how they felt the same thing. Now my son never reads this website or knows the rankings or stuff like that. By the way parents all of the wrestlers are on a place called Myspace.com. Better check it out. You can learn a lot there parents. Anyway, My kid and I were riding one morning on the way to school and work when he just out of the clear blue says, “You know my high school career is almost over. I have 14 (at the time)matches left and then it's over.” It was so interesting that he had the same thoughts that I was thinking just a few weeks earlier. If you are a senior you know what he means. These are the best years of his life and just be happy that we as parents are there to guide them and help them enjoy them. I have a double celebration as one son is graduating from college and one from high school. In fact I actually have a pleasant dilema, the college graduation in Michigan and the high school prom in Chicago are on the same day-May 13th. I am accepting suggestions on how I can be in two places at one time. It is a special time.
ACT test and college: I don't claim to know the right way about everything(although my friends would disagree) but I am very happy with the path I chose as far as college preparation for my son and i want to pass it along. He took the ACT test at the end of his soph. Year and passed. Why? We wanted to know where he stood academically. Actually I should back up. I had the opportunity to put him in all honors classes as a freshman and chose not to. Why? Because it would have been too much with class, practice and travel. Others may not agree but it did not hinder him getting into college. I watched a lot of athletes with this heavy load struggle to maintain a balance. Parents, don't give the kids too much. Now back to the test and stuff. I had my kid take the test again after his junior year. And once again he passed and increased his score by three points. And got accepted to his school of choice. But not satisfied with his score he took it a third time and got an even better score. Selecting his college before the season was just great. I feel if the opportunity is there and unless you have a couple of state titles try to come out early. The pressure is off and you can have fun your senior season. But first pass the test. So many kids I talk to tell me they have not taken the test. And that is just poor planning. And a ticket for failure.
Fan behavior: Recent postings have documented fan behavior. An IKWF parent coming on the floor of the Kid's Open, a parent getting tossed after a controversial call at the CCL's and two parents throwing punches at Geneseo. This is an emotional sport. Heck, I got into it with the bald headed super security on the floor at Assembly Hall last year and almost got tossed. Sometimes we get blinded by the action on the mat. It does not make a parent a bad person. It is sometimes hard to separate yourself from the action and say, “Everyone is watching me instead of my kid.” And when you get the bad call which we all are going to get it is so hard to say “the ref didn't mean it.” or “My kid will survive.” After so many years dedicated to the sport it is hard to see victory snatched away and not respond. But we must as parents set role model examples for our kids. I learned my lesson last year and others will to. It just takes time, something we all have.
Very personal note: I have received so many heartfelt concerns for my wife, Nicole and her recent illness that became public because of my son's statements following his victory at the CCL's. Many did not know she had been ill and wondered how he was able to maintain such a high level during a time of crisis. Simple, the kids the strongest one in the family. But a special thanks to all that expressed concern. Getting out of the house and seeing her kid wrestle was the best therapy ever. No doctor could prescribe that type of medicine. And cheaper on my cell phone bill too since I had to call during every match at the Dvorak and describe the action as it was happening. Thank you everybody. She is doing fine and returning to work an a regular life starting Feb. 1st.
Tomorrow is my birthday. I will be very young - in spirt!
Finally as we head into the real season, win or lose I wish all of the teams, athletes, parents and schools best of luck and may the best man(or woman) win!
Parental Involvement: Over the last few weeks I have been contacted by several parents on several different subjects. Most were concerned about their kids and wanted my opinion on their kids ability and how the kids were being perceived. I only have my own personal opinion of a particular wrestler. And that opinion probably does not matter to a lot of people. But I am more than glad to share it with you face to face, never over the internet.
Misuse of the website: I had a poster attempt to take my pmail post to him of which he requested a private answer to a question and turn it around and edit it to say something other than what I wrote. This person then mailed the re-edited version to some of my son's competition in the hopes of stirring up some action or trouble. What a shame that there really are sick people that are too involved in a kids sport to get that into it to start controversy. Needless to say he got banned but that is not the purpose of the site and it should not of come to that. Just let the kid's wrestle and sit back and enjoy.
The Golden Era is here: Although I have not seen every group or era of Illinois High School wrestling I am convinced that the current group over the last 4-6 years are special. The talent level is very high and the coaching is superb. Many people including myself seem to think that Illinois is one of the top 5 states out of 48 that compete in the United States. We have non state qualifiers that would do very well in other states. We have placers that would win titles in other states. And I believe the Freestyle – Greco team will win the national title this summer. Close the last two years you will see them on the top step and you heard it here first.
Publicity and the Media: It is so interesting how many people want publicity for their team yet don't do the necessary things to get it. Most teams don't have a wrestling website so that information can be found on the team. Want an example? Check out Glenbard North's site. Or Sandburgs. When I go to cover a dual it is often hard to find a printed roster with year in school or even names of wrestlers and coaches on it. Most schools don't fax results from duals to their local papers in a timely manner so results are often not in the paper. I wonder how many schools have a video, Television studio or radio broadcast program yet don't broadcast their own wrestling teams. Many teams do not consistently update the illinoismatmen.com dual results section. And we had one team that did update but listed no names. How weird. Like they were keeping a secret on who wrestled from the world. It is almost impossible for the media to find a teams schedule and where they wrestle. Help yourself before you can expect us to help you.
Seniors-The end is near: I can't tell you how many people approached me about my last collumn and how they felt the same thing. Now my son never reads this website or knows the rankings or stuff like that. By the way parents all of the wrestlers are on a place called Myspace.com. Better check it out. You can learn a lot there parents. Anyway, My kid and I were riding one morning on the way to school and work when he just out of the clear blue says, “You know my high school career is almost over. I have 14 (at the time)matches left and then it's over.” It was so interesting that he had the same thoughts that I was thinking just a few weeks earlier. If you are a senior you know what he means. These are the best years of his life and just be happy that we as parents are there to guide them and help them enjoy them. I have a double celebration as one son is graduating from college and one from high school. In fact I actually have a pleasant dilema, the college graduation in Michigan and the high school prom in Chicago are on the same day-May 13th. I am accepting suggestions on how I can be in two places at one time. It is a special time.
ACT test and college: I don't claim to know the right way about everything(although my friends would disagree) but I am very happy with the path I chose as far as college preparation for my son and i want to pass it along. He took the ACT test at the end of his soph. Year and passed. Why? We wanted to know where he stood academically. Actually I should back up. I had the opportunity to put him in all honors classes as a freshman and chose not to. Why? Because it would have been too much with class, practice and travel. Others may not agree but it did not hinder him getting into college. I watched a lot of athletes with this heavy load struggle to maintain a balance. Parents, don't give the kids too much. Now back to the test and stuff. I had my kid take the test again after his junior year. And once again he passed and increased his score by three points. And got accepted to his school of choice. But not satisfied with his score he took it a third time and got an even better score. Selecting his college before the season was just great. I feel if the opportunity is there and unless you have a couple of state titles try to come out early. The pressure is off and you can have fun your senior season. But first pass the test. So many kids I talk to tell me they have not taken the test. And that is just poor planning. And a ticket for failure.
Fan behavior: Recent postings have documented fan behavior. An IKWF parent coming on the floor of the Kid's Open, a parent getting tossed after a controversial call at the CCL's and two parents throwing punches at Geneseo. This is an emotional sport. Heck, I got into it with the bald headed super security on the floor at Assembly Hall last year and almost got tossed. Sometimes we get blinded by the action on the mat. It does not make a parent a bad person. It is sometimes hard to separate yourself from the action and say, “Everyone is watching me instead of my kid.” And when you get the bad call which we all are going to get it is so hard to say “the ref didn't mean it.” or “My kid will survive.” After so many years dedicated to the sport it is hard to see victory snatched away and not respond. But we must as parents set role model examples for our kids. I learned my lesson last year and others will to. It just takes time, something we all have.
Very personal note: I have received so many heartfelt concerns for my wife, Nicole and her recent illness that became public because of my son's statements following his victory at the CCL's. Many did not know she had been ill and wondered how he was able to maintain such a high level during a time of crisis. Simple, the kids the strongest one in the family. But a special thanks to all that expressed concern. Getting out of the house and seeing her kid wrestle was the best therapy ever. No doctor could prescribe that type of medicine. And cheaper on my cell phone bill too since I had to call during every match at the Dvorak and describe the action as it was happening. Thank you everybody. She is doing fine and returning to work an a regular life starting Feb. 1st.
Tomorrow is my birthday. I will be very young - in spirt!
Finally as we head into the real season, win or lose I wish all of the teams, athletes, parents and schools best of luck and may the best man(or woman) win!