The wrestling community is filled with powerful and effective leaders. But only this week have many in the community seen, heard, and read the stories of turmoil and aspirations from members of our black leadership class. Theirs is a voice the community had long needed to hear.
Whether through Victoria Anthony, Kyven Gadson or Jordan Burroughs, the black experience and insight is finally being given respect and the wrestling community is better served by experiencing these glimpses. That people of color are feeling comfortable to express their viewpoints without fear of pushback in a largely white, conservative community means this moment has heft. There is significance to what is happening here, and there is a real opportunity for a more inclusive future -- one that recognizes and corrects the mistakes of the past.
Let's all continue to support members our wrestling community this week, next week, and next year. We have the strength to make compassion a habit and no excuses to sit this out.
To your questions …
Q: What did you think of Seth Gross, Anthony Ashnault and Jason Nolf ending their sponsorship deals with ScrapLife?
-- Mike C.
Foley: Last Friday, ScrapLife executive Don Beshada posted an indefensible screed about race, activism, and other topics on the brand's official social media account. The post was quickly deleted but not before being screen captured and shared widely in the wrestling community. Beshada was fired, ScrapLife is attempting to push him out of his partnership, and the wrestling community reacted strongly to the language.
What's so interesting to me is that it took the confluence of events for our community to directly address the racism and illiberalism in the community. Even last week I mentioned that our community had a history of saying angry, racist things but that it often progressed without being called out. Like clockwork, Beshada's post brought out the necessary conversation.
I don't know if the conversation will continue with as much passion, but I'm hopeful that there are changes in the leadership structure of many leading clubs, teams, and brands. Representation matters because it helps inform those who otherwise may resist change, or growth. Also, to ensure the betterment of our society it's essential to have black voices in the room to instruct on how to reach new athletes and markets.
I have informed ScrapLife that I am terminating our relationship effective immediately
�" Anthony Ashnault (@AnthonyAshnault) June 6, 2020
As for the individual wrestlers, I commend their decisions and statements. Money is tight in wrestling and with COVID-19 I think that these wrestlers will miss the extra income. In that one way I wish this incident hadn't happened, or better said I wish these wrestlers had been associated with better leadership from the jump.
This is a time of reflection for us all and action for some. These wrestlers didn't hesitate in acting, which I think shows courage and leadership.
Kerry McCoy (Maryland Athletics)Q: What are your thoughts on Kerry McCoy returning to Stanford to coach the RTC?
-- Mike C.
Foley: Kery McCoy -- former head wrestling coach at Stanford and the University of Maryland -- is an excellent club hire for Stanford.
McCoy is known as a good mat coach and has extensive connections with high school and club coaches around the country. He is a selling point for the Cardinal program and is another indication that Coach Borrelli is on his way to creating a West Coast contender.
Stanford has advantages, largely that of affluence and alumni structure, but also faces challenges such as admissions standards and lack of quality competition nearby. To have someone like McCoy help you navigate the myriad issues a college program can face will mean a lot to Borrelli and further increase his growth and improve relationships with the alumni, staff, and his wrestlers.
Congrats to Coach McCoy and the Stanford wrestling program.
Multimedia Halftime
Give it a once-over: Bad Blood: Dake vs Burroughs
On Reparations (MUST WATCH)
Link: NASCAR Boots the Flag of a Traitor Nation
Q: I saw an advertisement for a youth wrestling tournament called Youth Crush COVID. Any idea if it's still on? And what are your thoughts on a wrestling tournament taking place right now?
-- Mike C.
Foley: Not intelligent. What is the purpose in creating a wrestling tournament to combat COVID-19 when you're likely creating a situation in which the athletes are then at greater risk of catching the illness? I see no good outcomes in a multi-day wrestling event in the middle of pandemic.
Even the guidelines in place are horribly insufficient and toothless. There were plenty of "recommendations" and very few hard rules. One example is spectators over 60 are encouraged not to attend. Encouraged. Face masks are not required, merely suggested. Those over 99.9 will need "further" evaluation. And they "ask" that anyone with cough, sore throat, or runny nose not wrestle or attend.
This is not the opening event that will make the sport look good. There are only bad outcomes and it's disappointing that so many people in states yet-to-be-effected by COVID-19 somehow think that the disease has been vanquished. This week was the single highest week for new infections in several states and around the world. There are epidemiologists suggesting that another 100,000 people will die by September.
Truly a terrible idea.
Q: When do you think we will know for sure whether there will be a college wrestling season in 2020-21?
-- Mike C.
Foley: First, a delay to the start of the season is almost certain, with Jan. 15 or so a target date set by the NWCA and their constituents. Should that be decided as the start date then it's also highly likely that the St. Louis location and date will remain unchanged. That leaves the wrestling community with something like an eight-week season, which would consist largely of regional travel, only dual meets, and a controlled conference tournament.
When will it be decided if that goes forward? I think the opposite question is most likely the case: When will the season most likely be canceled (or when is it most at-risk of cancellation)? The best guess there would be during the end of the football season, or as late as December. Schools will be trying to figure out in real time what plans they can make past football, and right now that is only to decide what they can achieve in basketball.
The other consideration is that not all schools will participate. Some will have COVID-19 outbreaks and need to cease their season, while others will be forced to close due to local governmental restrictions brought on by bad outbreaks in certain locations. Finally, there is the possibility that the NCAA forgoes the risk altogether and cancels all the seasons -- a highly unlikely outcome but one to consider.
I'm hopeful, but also extremely cautious in voicing that optimism.
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