We all understand that a vote for president is personal (unless you expose it on Twitter), but there are lessons we can learn from the dialogue of the campaign. The most obvious conclusion being that a majority of our fans, athlete and members are conservative and vote Republican. And just so we're clear, that's not an issue.
However, in talking about politics some of our members reveal that there is a surprising lack of empathy for those less fortunate, minorities and women -- as it happens also three very important sectors of the wrestling community and keys to its future growth.
Wrestling needs to open itself up to more people, welcome all classes and make women feel comfortable on the mats and in our conversations.
Wrestling in the United States has been abysmal at welcoming women to the mats. Title IX was a time and resource suck that cost us growth opportunities and millions of dollars and yet at every turn, every opportunity, rather than pivot to inviting women on a massive scale we instead shirked and filed another meaningless court case. Throughout the 1980's and 90's there was no long-term progressive vision in our sport and no interest in understanding on how women could become valuable members of our community. Had wrestling approached our gender equity by providing more opportunities for women it's likely that today's sporting leaders would hold our sport in higher regard -- instead of the reputation we wear for fighting against equal rights.
Wrestling needs to consider its future and not be drug down by diminutive men and their backward ideas. We need to show that our sport is about more than celebrating brutish men figuring out their psychological and emotional issues in seven minute spurts, and instead turn towards a more progressive approach that welcomes all to the mats and celebrates every journey regardless of gender or social class.
Wrestling does not belong to the sexists, the racists or those that might support that ideology. The sport belongs to you, and me, and those who want to make it more accessible, fair and friendly to women and those who could benefit from the sport's many lessons. Respect for women and those less fortunate is a matter of consistency. There is no bartering, no allowance for hate or misogyny. Even a spoonful of such hateful and criminal rhetoric poisons progress.
Never accept less or allow someone to imply that our sport can be anything but tolerant, reformist, fair and socially conscious.
To your questions …
Jimmy placed fourth at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials at 65 kilograms (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)Q: I noticed Kennedy is ranked at 70 kilograms, not 61 kilograms. Assuming he's there at World Team Trials, thoughts on how he, Green and JO match up at that weight class?
-- Eagle Fan
Foley: Jimmy Kennedy is incredibly talented and capable of taking home the title any time he enters a tournament. The cut to 61 kilograms was brutal for him and many other athletes and it's been fun to see the 65-kilogram wrestlers move into the 70-kilogram weight class. I give him a solid 20 percent chance of making the team, which is generous considering the path he needs to take through the mini-tournament and best-of-three against James Green.
Jordan Oliver pops up for these tournaments and causes a mess to national rankings, but I don't see him beating Green or Kennedy up at 70 kilograms in 2016.
On a side note, this concentration of talent we see going towards the non-Olympic weights in the Olympic year should make the tournament in Budapest a can't-miss event. I imagine there is a lot of similar shuffling going on in Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Japan and many more nations.
Q: Any thoughts on Bloomsburg hiring Marcus Gordon as its head wrestling coach?
-- Derek L.
Foley: I don't know too much about Marcus Gordon, but it seems as though Bloomsburg chose the closest option and someone that they trust.
"Marcus emerged from a very talented pool of applicants and we are thrilled to be able to name him as our next head wrestling coach," said (VP of Student Affairs) Somerville. "He is a quiet, but passionate individual who we feel has what it takes to grow our program on the mat as well as in the classroom. His love for the sport and the University is evident."
Many in the wrestling community attach successful hires to prior head coaching experience and association with top programs. However, in-program knowledge of a smaller school like Bloomsburg (and how to operate and recruit within your limitations) is a major asset to an athletic director. Though a larger program, this mentality in choosing a leader is what helped Matt Storniolo land the job at Northwestern -- a full layout of the organizational limitations were already absorbed and he was already creating answers.
Best of luck to Coach Gordon!
Q: Is Brent Metcalf retired?
-- Eagle Fan
Foley: No confirmation, but judging from Metcalf's Twitter he is DEEP into bow hunting and to be honest I love it. Metcalf seems to know as much about bows, animals and hunting as he does wrestling. Should this be his next step I'd be thrilled to watch on as a spectator. Metcalf gave the wrestling community 100 percent dedication and sat squarely in the middle of the spotlight for more than 10 years. If he's going out to pasture it's with his head held high and a compound bow in hand.
Q: I'm in for the Freestyle World Cup, but where can I buy tickets? My girlfriend is also in. Do you know whether women are permitted to attend wrestling events in Tehran? If so, whether they are restricted to certain sections of the venue? I recall reading somewhere that restrictions may apply, but I haven't seen anything definitive. Are the dates for the World Cup final, or are they likely to change again? Inquiring visa authorities want to know.
-- Jacob J.
Foley: Traveling to Tehran for the freestyle World Cup is a major investment in the sport of wrestling. Nothing but respect for the commitment!
The dates will not change, but note that they did swap dates with the Greco-Roman World Cup and will now be in February.
Tickets are certainly doable, though you may need to work with USA Wrestling on transportation and some of the details. They should be able to let you know where they are staying and how they plan to tackle the city. I've done it both on my own and attaching myself at times to members of the USA delegation.
As for your visa, unfortunately I think it'll take a few attempts to be approved. There are VERY few visas given to American tourists each year. I've even been denied in the past! Currently women are not allowed to attend wrestling matches in Iran. There might be some other activities for you both to enjoy. Tehran is beautiful.
Definitely don't book your flight until you get approval and I'd recommend sending that application in right away.
PARTING WORDS
By Jacob R.
It's been two months since the folks at Flowrestling declared that NBC had slapped wrestling in the face. The main theme in their article was the lack of coverage the network had given to Helen Maroulis and her amazing feat. Interesting how since the end of the Olympics Flowrestling has released two full-length documentaries and neither one of them was about Helen.
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