MAY 2004    TO: USA WRESTLING MEMBER COACHES  FR: RUSTY DAVIDSON, CHAIR   USAW NATIONAL COACHES COUNCIL  RE: UPDATE ON COUNCIL ACTIVITY;   PLANS FOR SUMMER    Colleagues,    As I returned from the Olympic Trials, my first thought was one of congratulations.  Since we met, our college and university programs, in all divisions and both genders, finished an exciting and productive winter season.  Our nation's scholastic, youth, and club coaches finished a great folkstyle season and are wrapping up spring and early summer regionals.  I hope your hard work and passion have been rewarding to you.    The trials, last weekend, were icing on our cake.  We have chosen our Olympians… and did so in the spectacular fashion our sport deserves!  Whether you were part of Indianapolis' organizing group, directly involved in the event, or one of a million or so, who bit nails and crossed fingers…  Congratulations!  Now, it's on to Athens.    Your executive committee put in some overtime through the winter.  We have worked diligently on several issues and one major project.  It is appropriate for me to thank those committee members, publicly.   Ray Brinzer, Mike Duroe, Rick Gumble, Mike Hagerty, Tadaki Hata, Chris Horpel, and Mark Reiland have given of themselves to help us all.  Thanks, also, to Ted DeRousse, our staff liaison at USAW.    By-Laws Revision    Our major project has been, and is, the revision of our by-laws.  The current set was drafted over a decade ago.  It represented a few coaches who wanted to do a few things.    Our efforts to modernize the by-laws represent the needs of over 19,000 U.S. coaches.  Our goal is a document that addresses the needs of coaches from entry level through our Olympic staff.  We are designing a document that gives each of those 19,000 equal voice and equal access to the benefits and programs USA Wrestling has, or is developing, to assist coaches at every level.    This is a complex task, one we do not take lightly.  Its most challenging component lies in answering two fundamental questions:  How does the executive committee serve as a vehicle for each coach to assert his or her individual voice?  What responsible authority does the committee exercise in the interest of the entire group?    We will present a set of by-laws, for your ratification, during the   Junior / Cadet Nationals, in Fargo.  I will also ask assistance from staff to post the proposed by-laws on the website.    Expanded Benefits    The other huge issue on our table is a proposal for expanding USA Wrestling's benefit program for member coaches.   Our coaching dues/fees structure has been frozen for a decade.  During that same period, all other USAW membership groups have seen increases in fees.      We feel like we (coaches) have gained the most from USAW, but still want to gain more.  This means we need to make our own membership fees reflect the growth in benefits and professionalism we enjoy.    Raising costs always is a hot topic.  In our situation, though, it seems more simple.  None of us can argue that we're getting a big bang for our buck already.  None of us doubt that the cost of maintaining ( and growing ) our program has risen.    As coaches, none of us want to see that cost handed down to our athletes… whether they are Olympians or six year olds!  This being said, it was I that offered up the notion of taking control by raising our own fees instead of everyone else's.  On our phone meeting in early March, the motion was brought forth and passed, unanimously.    Now, it's up to you!  Please hash it out with your peers.  Cuss it and discuss it.  Offer any alternative solutions, but Please!! Put them in writing.  I will carry your decision to the board.    Other Issues and Activities    Throughout the fall and winter, your executive committee has fielded several issues, and carried them forward through USA Wrestling's several divisions.  We have been called upon to act in the best interest of the group on numerous occasions.     Our first task was a restructuring, or redefinition of our Olympic Staff.  In the past we have designated "Head" and "Assistant" Olympic Coaches.  At times, this has made it difficult for our staff to use our assigned Olympic  Credentials as well as we would like.    Last fall we voted, unanimously, to name only "Olympic" Coaches.  In related action, we decided that our staff National Coach would hold one of those positions in each style.    We've already seen positive results from these decisions.  Our 2004 Olympic staff is a streamline, cohesive, well-organized group.  All our coaches will enjoy maximum access in Athens.  This translates, directly, into maximum benefit for American athletes!    In November, we initiated a proposal that would remove the tag "illegal" from the Chest Cradle (AKA West Point Ride), in Cadets' and Juniors' competition.  While our proposal must still be viewed by the appropriate age group committees, it has earned the support of our Sport Science group and is generally being well received.    In March, we brought forward a proposal to change the competition system for all age group National Championships.  What the proposal boils down to is a shift away from our Vertical, Pool System Bracketing and to Straight-Line bracketing (as used in scholastic styles).        Your executive committee quickly identified what we feel are several benefits from such a shift.  Fewer matches to become National Champion, more matches for "developing" athletes, increased marketing of quarters and semis, attraction of folkstyle audience, ease of interpreting for entry level fans, similarity to Seniors and FILA bracket systems…  are the bulk.    Our next step is to gather as much information as possible from the people it will affect…YOU!!!  We have identified lots of positives and few negatives.  If you know of a significant reason why USA Wrestling should keep Kids, Cadets, and Juniors Nationals on Vertical Pool Brackets, we need to hear from you!   We also need your input and experience in using 256 athlete brackets.    Contact one of your council members, Mark Scott, or Ted DeRousse at USAW Look for this agenda item at all of your Juniors Regionals.  Attend those meetings and speak your piece!    Major Rule Changes 2004-2005    Many of you are already preparing for this.  If you haven't heard, we are anticipating some significant new structure in our sport.  These proposals will be finalized during the FILA Congress in Athens.    It is not our task to decide on these proposals.  Our job is to adapt them to us and us to them.      I'm sure we will participate in several processes during the next quadrennium.  We must keep our focus as professionals and use whatever rules are handed us to achieve our common goal: to develop and promote the best prepared athletes in wrestling.    Meetings    As you have read, we have a lot on our plate in Fargo.  The Board meets immediately after.  I will need to have a firm grip on your decisions, concerns, and needs.    We have our regularly scheduled meeting on the last Thursday of Fargo.  Listening to your concerns about time conflicts and the number of our Greco Coaches we lose… I have asked USAW staff to schedule an additional meeting time for the National Coaches Council earlier in the week.      There are some opportune times on both Monday and Tuesday.  I will firm this up soon and see to it that you are informed.    Please check themat.com often.  Please, also, stay in close contact with your State Chairperson, as they are often the most easily accessible for staff.    Accept my personal best wishes on your Kids / Cadets Regionals, your Dual Teams, and your preparation for the Titan Games, Fargo, and Athens.  Train hard… Travel safe.    Rusty