Dave Black, Wisconsin Wrestling Federation Chairman
The State Chairman’s Newsletter is a monthly publication written by the current Wisconsin Wrestling Federation (WWF) State Chairperson. Each newsletter will keep members up-to-date on the business and events of the Wisconsin Wrestling Federation.
January, 2012
Happy New Year! We are hoping that your holiday season was joyous and safe. 2011 was eventful for the WWF; we had all six national dual teams place as All-Americans and placed in the top 10 at Fargo in both age levels and styles. Our youth tournaments were very well attended and athlete membership numbers continue to grow. I want to extend my gratitude to all those that participate and volunteer to make this organization as strong and successful as it is.
The WWF posted our need for a state coach in September and spent several months reviewing and revising the position and our needs as an organization to continue to provide opportunities and programs for our members. The “Coaching Coordinator” position as we see it will be directed more towards administrative and organizational than a teaching / instructional position. It is very apparent to those that were involved in the process of revising the position and assisting in the selection of the new employee – that the WWF has numerous high quality coaches state wide. It is our goal to get as many of those high level individuals involved in our coaching pool as possible. The WWF has hired Scott Kluever from Kaukauna as the new State Coach Coordinator effective January 1st, 2012. Scott’s responsibilities will include many tasks that would include coach selection for dual teams and national teams; he will work with the age level directors in the selection process. Scott will also be very involved in the organizing and scheduling of camps, transportation for national team members and lodging for those events. One of Scott’s priorities that he is most committed to is coaches’ education state-wide, he wants to make himself available to all districts and organize clinics that would have our state coaches as clinicians and provide opportunity for coaches to learn current high level technique in all styles of wrestling. Scott will also be involved in the selection of our dual team members, we currently have a procedure that was used last year, which will be reviewed and revised as needed by the coaches of those teams. We have looked at procedures from other states and may incorporate some of the ideas in the team selection process.
Scott has been involved at one level or another with the WWF for 30-plus years, he was an athlete, Cadet Director, District Director and coach for many different teams throughout his years, and he is also the founder of the Cheesehead Tournament (which has become one of the highest quality events in the nation). Scott’s contact information will be posted on the WWF website. We had several very strong candidates and we are fortunate that this state has as many quality coaches and leaders as we do. Please feel free to contact Scott with any questions or needs as he in anxious to assist in any way possible.
In my last article I presented our plans that require all coaches that are mat side at our state tournaments to be USA members. This will not be a requirement for regionals and if your son or daughter qualifies for state there will be a short period of time between regionals and state to apply for that membership card. I would strongly encourage anyone that intends to coach at the state tournaments to start that process soon, which can be done on themat.com. There is no requirement to have a Copper or Bronze Coaching Education card to be mat side, however that does give you access to the floor through the south end of the Alliant Center for State Folkstyle, that is not the best reason to have one of those cards, what you learn and take away from the course is what creates the value to those cards. I have had a few questions about the requirement of the coaching membership and the board strongly supports this idea as we know that it will create a more safe and professional environment at our state tournaments. Membership cards cannot be purchased on site and there will be no options available there, anybody that would like to film or video will have access to the first two rows during the matches that you are associated with. THEMAT.com has the procedures, benefits and costs listed on their website, please take a minute to visit that site and look under membership.
Dave Black, Wisconsin Wrestling Federation Chairman
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