Bantam state directors

[1847]

As you can tell, I never post on the Illinois Matmen . I read it daily and am very involved in wrestling at many levels. After yesterdays Bantam state tournament, I have to post, I want to start by saying the Officials did a great job. The table workers did a great job. The quality of the Wrestlers was excellent. However the tournament was the POOREST run event I have ever been involved in in over 16 years of AAU, IESA, IKWA, IHSA, USA, etc wrestling I have ever witnessed. Absolutely nobody knew what was going on. I am a coach and I couldn’t get answers from those working in the cage. The bull pen and the gym and the brackets were all in different time zones.
The brackets were done the night before on Track at 10PM. We didn’t start till 10 AM the next morning , when check in was prior to 8 AM. There were over 30 times that all mats were empty. One time about and hour. These are 8 year old kids. Many of which had 2- 3 and even 4 hour drives. There were bull pen women, screaming at kids in the bullpen on the mic. That doesn’t ever need to happen. If the kids simply go to the brackets and get walked out. ( or table card system works great too) They announced everyone yesterday 1 by 1. SCREAMING). Can you imagine how long TULSA would take if they announced everyone. Had not anyone running this tournament been to a tournament with over 30 kids ever? They hid behind a cage all day. It is not good when the officials and kids are waiting on brackets when even the 8 year olds knew who they had to wrestle. PLEASE someone take responsibility, step aside and admit you dont have a clue how to run a tournament. IF that is track wrestling, so be it. You should be ashamed of yourselves. Charging and making money and doing such a terrible job. I am serious. It was TERRIBLE. It could have been done at 2:30 or 3:00 PM without a computer. It is 8 year old state. Not the Olympic trials for goodness sakes. Someone needs to help with this.

[bling-bling142]

I agree. This was one of the most unorganized tournaments I have ever witnessed ( and I've been involved with wrestling for over 30 yrs). Can anyone tell me, how does one screw up a tournament that is ran through track wrestling?

[Nelson*0.5]

I agree. This was one of the most unorganized tournaments I have ever witnessed ( and I've been involved with wrestling for over 30 yrs). Can anyone tell me, how does one screw up a tournament that is ran through track wrestling?

I find it hard to believe that in your 30 yrs of being involved with wrestling that this is the first time you've witnessed a screwed up tournament that is run through trackwrestling.

As if you your credibility wouldn't be questioned enough as it is, Mr. Newbie..... Do a search on Trackwrestling on this forum and many others and you'll see that Trackwrestling is one of the most common reasons to blame for many failed tournaments.

[doc]

I find it hard to believe that in your 30 yrs of being involved with wrestling that this is the first time you've witnessed a screwed up tournament that is run through trackwrestling.

As if you your credibility wouldn't be questioned enough as it is, Mr. Newbie..... Do a search on Trackwrestling on this forum and many others and you'll see that Trackwrestling is one of the most common reasons to blame for many failed tournaments.

ditto that.....

[HandControl]

I find it hard to believe that in your 30 yrs of being involved with wrestling that this is the first time you've witnessed a screwed up tournament that is run through trackwrestling.

As if you your credibility wouldn't be questioned enough as it is, Mr. Newbie..... Do a search on Trackwrestling on this forum and many others and you'll see that Trackwrestling is one of the most common reasons to blame for many failed tournaments.

Not sure if you were there yesterday, but I can tell you this tournament can be run 10 times more efficient. Starting with bout numbers or assigned mats for example.

It's the way they run the bullpen that has ALWAYS been the problem here. Oh yea and the lack of enough restroom facilities.

[Cubs93]

I heard that they had no food or drinks to sell after about 4: and didn't start finals till around 7:P.M.

[Nelson*0.5]

Not sure if you were there yesterday, but I can tell you this tournament can be run 10 times more efficient. Starting with bout numbers or assigned mats for example.

It's the way they run the bullpen that has ALWAYS been the problem here. Oh yea and the lack of enough restroom facilities.

I attended my last Bantam state last year when my youngest son finished his last season as a Bantam. I've seen the good, the bad and the ugly at Bloom Trail. I will start by saying that Bryan and Crosstown do care a great deal about what they do, of they wouldn't keep doing it. I think Bryan's youngest son is in high school now, yet he keeps doing this every year. Every year he takes a beating out here for how the tournament is run. That being said, I've seen a lot of positive changes that they have made each year. But, running a tournament like this is extremely tough and just when you think you've solved all the problems from last year, new ones pop up the next year.

I don't know if there is a way you can make this tournament run like clockwork. I thought last year was run pretty darn well compared to previous years. But then I talked to a couple of the parents from our club who were there for the first time and they thought it was awful. That's their perspective....mine was quite different but I had previous Bantam states to compare it to.

All this being said, I wouldn't trade our experience at Bantam state over the years for anything. What a blast we all had! The kids have great memories. The parents and kids all had a great time hanging out at the hotels over the years. My son will never forget how close he came to winning 'the belt'. So, big deal if I spent a little more time in the field house on Cottage Grove that I otherwise would have liked to. The experiences were great ones for the kids. In spite of the heart attack in the stands that delayed the start one year, and the year they ran out of Gatorade at 3 o'clock, and the year that the incompetent, fat@$$ ref tried to throw me out at the beginning of the day because I just looked at him like he was full of crap (he didn't succeed ), or the year the little guy lost a 5th place match when the ref missed an illegal headlock.....like I said, I wouldn't trade it for anything.

[Lemont Fan]

Im so glad someone else started this thread. Cause I didnt want to be the first. I couldnt agree more with you guys. BANTAM state is absolutly the worse tournament all season every season. I dont understand how it takes so long. If clubs like Lemont and Oak Park can run tournys with 1000 kids and be done by 2pm why cant these guys get it right??? I personally think track wrestling holds tournys up. Next time your at a good ran tourny that gets you out of there fast, ask them if they use track. Chances are they dont. Also i knew it would be a loooooong day when only after an hour of wrestling (when it finally started) they were on the mic asking table workers to please return to their tables. Which means what?? either A.) they had table workers that were very uncomitted to helping or B.) they didnt have enough work to stay busy. I personally think its the latter due to the fact that there were empty mats all day long. Which in return couldve been due to the fact that the guy who was supposed to tell us what table to goto, wouldnt stand up and look, he would stay seated and play on his phone. Hard to find empty tables when your not looking. Also the 2 twister ladies that were working in the bullpen were a complete embarresment, Cant believe they were yelling at the kids like they were. Guess what ladies how do you think these 8 year olds are going to act when theyve done nothing but sit around for hours?? again chances are they will act like 8 year olds. I know that my opinion on those 2 ladies isnt just me since i heard all day from other clubs coaches in the bullpen that felt the EXACT same way i did. They were just a little meaner about their thoughts than im being. I love the idea of having a BANTAM state, but at this point I cant say Im supportive of how it is in its current format.

[BigFan11]

Good: Great competition! Great Job this year @ weigh-ins!

Really Bad: 13 hour day, open mats all day, $20 per wrestler + $5 a head to walk thru the door please don’t tell me you couldn’t do better on the 5th thru 8th place medals. PLEASE spend more than $1.29 per medal. They were embarrassing! Did I say 13 hour day yet! That has to be the worst sound system ever; we couldn’t understand anything that was said. If you are going to keep us there for 13 hours please don’t run out of concessions in the ninth hour. The bull pen at any time had absolutely no idea what was going on please keep them informed. Getting the most annoying female voice ever constantly screaming in the bull pen just doesn’t work for anybody. My head still hurts! Any security? Three different times I had to ask video camera holding mom/dad to please coach/video tape on your sons corner side. It’s very frustrating when you are trying to coach your kid and the other kids dad is standing right behind you and screaming over you. Tournament directors please listen, this is a great event I just know it could be ran a lot smoother please seek help from some of the big clubs who know how to run a tournament like this. Now that I said that, I will see you next year!!!!!!!

[Lemont Fan]

I heard that they had no food or drinks to sell after about 4: and didn't start finals till around 7:P.M.

they didnt even have water after 4

[HandControl]

I attended my last Bantam state last year when my youngest son finished his last season as a Bantam. I've seen the good, the bad and the ugly at Bloom Trail. I will start by saying that Bryan and Crosstown do care a great deal about what they do, of they wouldn't keep doing it. I think Bryan's youngest son is in high school now, yet he keeps doing this every year. Every year he takes a beating out here for how the tournament is run. That being said, I've seen a lot of positive changes that they have made each year. But, running a tournament like this is extremely tough and just when you think you've solved all the problems from last year, new ones pop up the next year.

I don't know if there is a way you can make this tournament run like clockwork. I thought last year was run pretty darn well compared to previous years. But then I talked to a couple of the parents from our club who were there for the first time and they thought it was awful. That's their perspective....mine was quite different but I had previous Bantam states to compare it to.

All this being said, I wouldn't trade our experience at Bantam state over the years for anything. What a blast we all had! The kids have great memories. The parents and kids all had a great time hanging out at the hotels over the years. My son will never forget how close he came to winning 'the belt'. So, big deal if I spent a little more time in the field house on Cottage Grove that I otherwise would have liked to. The experiences were great ones for the kids. In spite of the heart attack in the stands that delayed the start one year, and the year they ran out of Gatorade at 3 o'clock, and the year that the incompetent, fat@$$ ref tried to throw me out at the beginning of the day because I just looked at him like he was full of crap (he didn't succeed ), or the year the little guy lost a 5th place match when the ref missed an illegal headlock.....like I said, I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Well said, and I agree it's a great event, I just think the bullpen is the cause of most of the delays.

[TappedOut]

I find it hard to believe that in your 30 yrs of being involved with wrestling that this is the first time you've witnessed a screwed up tournament that is run through trackwrestling.

As if you your credibility wouldn't be questioned enough as it is, Mr. Newbie..... Do a search on Trackwrestling on this forum and many others and you'll see that Trackwrestling is one of the most common reasons to blame for many failed tournaments.

I've been there the last couple years, this year was by far trhe worst.

it's eay to blame trackwrestling when trying to cover other MASSIVE mistakes. Can't blame track for the administrator failing to delete no shows and adjusting brackets accordingly. Can't blame track for the lack of bullpen guidance. How about blaming track for the trophy/belt hand out?



bullpen was brutal, after I heard the twister lady screatchin' I never went back, stayed in the field house and watched empty mats with some great wrestling scattered in between. actually took notes of some of the good young wrestling I watched. that's how bored I was.

[Dolton Bear]

entirely too long...some wrestlers that had a first round bye did not hit the mat for the first time until around noon. 7:30 am to 7 pm is entirely too long for 6,7, & 8 year olds. couldn't even imagine if we had to travel from danville for this.

great competition, but poorly run, conessions shut down at 4 pm with 3 more hours of wrestling (with an hour of downtime!!!)?!

[bling-bling142]

I find it hard to believe that in your 30 yrs of being involved with wrestling that this is the first time you've witnessed a screwed up tournament that is run through trackwrestling.

As if you your credibility wouldn't be questioned enough as it is, Mr. Newbie..... Do a search on Trackwrestling on this forum and many others and you'll see that Trackwrestling is one of the most common reasons to blame for many failed tournaments.

Mr. Newbie because I don't post a lot on Matmen. But I have been around for awhile as a wrestler, official, coach and now Dad. This by far was the worst ran tournament I have been around. I don't believe you can blame trackwrestling for this. The blame goes to those who are entering the names and advancing the wrestlers. Trackwrestling didn't assign the wrestlers to mats or organized (unorganized) them in the bullpen. This was human error!

[keepyourheadup]

This was my first Bantam State. So, I have nothing else to compare it to except other IKWF tournaments. That being said. I have a few complaints or concerns. You can not put someone in charge of the bullpen who is going to scream at the top of he lungs on a microphone at 7 & 8 year old kids. Judging by the matside demeaner, that is how they do it in Harvey, but I don't think yelling at kids like that is acceptable.
Second, I know that the event is "not seeded", but I don't think it would take that much effort to make the brackets within a weight class a little more even. Here is my example: At 58 pounds, there were 4 brackets, according to track wrestling there were 10 returning bantam state placers at 58 lbs. In bracket A, 1 returning placer. In bracket B, 4 returning placers, all in the top half of the bracket. In bracket C, 3 returning placers, all in the top half of the bracket. In bracket D, 2 returning placers, both in the top half of the bracket. Spreading these wrestlers more evenly would have been nice.
Finally, the amount of empty mats was crazy. People don't mind being at a meet for 10 or 12 hours, if the wrestling is happening continually, but when breaks in wrestling happen, people get frustrated.
Other than that, we had a fun time hanging out with the other wrestlers & parents.