Those are real numbers -- and real numbers drive advertising dollars, which (as has been discussed ad nauseum) helps wrestling keeps it position on college campuses.
The long view is great, but the short view is better. For those optimistic enough to believe college wrestling could emerge from its self-limiting group think, there is clear evidence that a robust, consumer-focused dual meet national championship could draw huge national numbers. Those viewers are future wrestlers, donors, parents, alumni, and fans.
It's not a lack of imagination that's holding our community back. It's not even the NCAA, per se. The real limitation is that NCAA Division I coaches have far too much influence on the long-term plans of the sport. While coaches are vital to keeping the rules fresh and providing day-to-day perspectives, they are paid to win within their contracted years and those with six-figure salaries aren't willing to play a parlor game with a 30-year mortgage and two kids in travel swimming.
Think of how absurd it would be if Andy Reid were to choose the playoff format for the NFL. Maybe the Patriots do this, I don't follow much, but the point is that in most other sports leagues it's the politically appointed figures who are the drivers of fundamental changes. In wrestling and the NCAA there seems to be a lack of motivation from up top to enforce change, and such incredible resistance from successful teams as to make it intractable.
What's our goal here, guys and gals? Are we OK for some throwaway national coverage during the NCAA Basketball Tournament, or do we want more? As a habit wrestlers are often satisfied, and in this case they (or we) shouldn't be complacent with some very middling numbers at the NCAAs when it's proven again and again that dual meets can sell vastly more tickets, earn more in TV revenue, and create many more storylines.
We can do this, and I'm sure that when it's done we'll look back and think of how foolish it was to waster all this time, money, and opportunity on doing nothing.
To your questions …
Maryland wore their new two-piece uniforms for a dual meet against Pitt on Dec. 20 (Photo/Greg Fiume)Q: Do you like the two-piece uniforms Maryland has worn? Are you surprised more college wrestling teams aren't using two-piece uniforms?
-- Mike C.
Foley: The Maryland Terrapins looked great in their new uniforms. Coach Alex Clemsen mentioned in an interview that some guys were hesitant but that they grew to like them pretty quickly. I doubt that infers they will replace the team's singlet, but it's a fist step and opens the door for other programs (Hey, U.Va!) to implement their own two-piece, though to be fair it's tough to imagine getting those approved, paid for, and delivered for the end of this season.
I think that we will see another half dozen use the two-piece next year, and double again every season after that. Once the high schoolers coming up prefer them to singlets (and they might) you'll see the opinion of the team influence the game day sartorial choices of the coach.
Who amongst us wouldn't go out and buy a rash guard and shorts with a Pokémon-inspired Spencer Lee Iowa two-piece uniform?
Q: Roman Bravo-Young will (potentially) get a crack at Seth Gross Friday. Do you think RBY can knock off Gross? And what are your thoughts on RBY's title chances in March?
-- Mike C.
Foley: First, I think that DeSanto was legitimately injured when RBY turned DeSanto's foot during the first exchange. Grabbing any part of the foot should be illegal (as in international) and action should be stopped when it happens.
Now, I also think that RBY came out hotter than DeSanto, and I dare say that DeSanto looked flat on his feet to start the match. Given those small glimpses I think that RBY is the favorite in their next matchup and that he can (of course!) knock off Gross. While not all Penn State wrestlers improve, when they tend to start rolling like this they have a step improvement curve and typically find big results.
Don't be surprised if RBY gets the win Friday, or if he's making the quick jog out to the center of the mat in Minnesota. He's ready.
MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME
I get that its harmless fun, but I'd rather see Jordan Burroughs or Adeline Gray on SportsCenter
Link: Wrestlers get DQ'd
Fun video from Italian wrestling federation to promote this week's European Championships
Link: Wrestling takes Rome!
Q: I came across a tweet of yours where you were talking about the Austin DeSanto vs. Roman Bravo-Young match. It made me stop and think about a few things.
1. How much does injury affect the outcome of the season?
2. Just how many top-quality wrestlers do we have not competing right now because of injury?
3. Is the sport of wrestling in its rules and design doing all it can to ensure the safety of its athletes?
I can answer 1 and 2 myself.
1. A LOT!
2. More than most fans probably realize.
3. What do you think about it?
-- Steve S.
Foley: I want to think that the NCAA and high school associations have the best interest of the wrestlers in the forefront of their rules decisions, but I'm not that confident. I know that there are many, many well-intentioned men and women reviewing rules and spending their time in gyms refereeing matches and overseeing tournaments, but I'm often disappointed in the absolute stupidity we still seem to value on the mat.
For example, the most common rebuttal to declaring a move should be reviewed because it's too violent or injurious is to hearken back to one's personal days competing. That whipsaw nostalgia defense will do nothing to protect athletes because it's an emotional response to an inquiry that can be discussed using sciences like physiology, biomechanics and statistics. Still, those arguments are drowned about by appeals for "toughness."
What's tough about having your ACL torn? Or getting a concussion? Those injuries and recovery times are in no way indicative of one's ability to wrestle, nor is it a firm conclusion that your opponent who implemented a suspect move, is a better technician or competitor than you. It's lunacy to watch a kid with double grapevines in put their elbow in the back of a kid's neck and say, "Yeah, maybe stop the action." No. Kick that kid -- and every other kid -- out of the tournament.
Same goes for a number of positions where I think the rules body and the referees left to interpret them have been given too much leeway and kids are being injured. The overriding question we have to ask ourselves in these meetings is how this impacts the health of the athlete. I think we are all OK with a half nelson, but less-so with cranking a knee against the joint.
I hope that we find a new approach to these rules in the future and that we can work with more speed to correct errors in the rule book once they've been exposed. The NCAA currently reviews rules every two years, which means that it could be 20+ months between an obvious dangerous situation being exposed and there being a meaningful change implemented. That's far too long.
Stanford's Real Woods is ranked No. 3 at 141 pounds (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)Q: Stanford has a couple outstanding freshmen in Real Woods (141) and Shane Griffth (165). Woods has just one loss, which came to No. 1 Luke Pletcher in OT. Griffith is undefeated. Do you see either as a potential finalist in March? If so, who do you think has a better chance?
-- Mike C.
Foley: Whoa. Real Woods is very, very good at wrestling. To see what Pletcher has been doing to opponents this year and then balance that against how Woods fared in their early season dual meet I think he's the No. 2 wrestler in the country and likely to face Pletcher in the NCAA finals. Forgiving that he doesn't have the same level of opponents as many in the Big Ten, Big 12 and ACC I think his style is too difficult to digest on first take and that's exactly how most of his opponents will be coming at him in March.
(Also, I know that Nick Lee is talented and well-coached, I just think Real Woods is next level.)
Recommended Comments
There are no comments to display.
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now