I can still remember the first time I met Dave Pethoud.  "Met" probably isn't the correct word. After all, he was calling together the 80 or so kids that showed up to the local YMCA just off of sixth-street in Beatrice, Nebraska.    I was in the first grade and had found my way to a wrestling mat with my Mom's urging, even though no one I knew in my family had ever really been involved with sports. Dave Pethoud's appearance fit the 70'S well, long side burns darted forward outlining his mouth, even his manner of dress struck me funny, a singlet pulled over loose fitting sweat pants.      The mats that we stood on for that initial season of YMCA wrestling were canvas sections that left true mat burns, something most kids hardly know of these days.  The mats smelled a little dank, as the inside stuffing was soon to be replaced with new straw--seriously.     Coach Pethoud barked out orders as he got us in lines and put us through some semblance of a warm-up.  No talking was the commandment that he was most protective of with 80 overly-energized kids teeming with excitement.Every time a kid spoke or acted up, the warm-up routine ended, with a shout "five laps for everybody".      Quickly, I learned to race up the flight of stairs to the east side of the gym, and sprint around the track that was mounted above the gym floor.  Back down the stairs and back in line.  The warm-ups were endless only partly because we kept running another five laps.      But, there was also an endless tank of energy for Coach Pethoud.  Looking back I'm guessing he was in his mid-twenties at the time.  And every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday nights starting promptly at six o'clock from November to March, Coach Pethoud was there for the program he started.      Eventually, this YMCA team became known at the "Big Green Mean Machine".  And Coach Pethoud became the first man I really looked up to.      Nothing made Coach Pethoud step out of the shadows and volunteer his time, but he did.  He could have looked for the reasons not to be there, and my life would have been poorer for it.  Instead, a young man made a difference in many lives that I know of.      Volunteering is a powerful force.  It is an altruistic means that USA Wrestling as well as the sport of wrestling relies on heavily.  Every year, another young group of kids is introduced to an ancient sport not by accident but by effort--most often through the effort of volunteers like Coach Pethoud.      There will always be a compelling need for the next group of young people to come forward and volunteer.  Perhaps, they were wrestlers once, they have just learned about the sport of wrestling and are ready to get involved, but the need is there and they step forward to volunteer.      "Thank you" often isn't said enough to the dedicated and unpaid supporters of the sport of wrestling, but they are the ones that assure the continuation of an age old tradition.      Think what we could do if only we could find a few more people to help with the heavy lifting of coaching a team, running a club, directing a tournament, or running the concession stand.  The sport of wrestling survives because of volunteers, and if you have been away for a while we need you back!    There are many more young people out there that will gain from being a part of the sport.  We need new programs to start wherever another elementary school springs up.  We need a few more referees willing to have thick skin in the name of the sport they love.  We need a few more people willing to do the tireless work of pairing and tournament organization.      The time for a new season is approaching and you can still be a part of it.  Widen your grasp just a little more this year, knowing that years from now you will have made a difference in somebody's life through your dedication, your altruism, your volunteering.      Thank you to the thousands of volunteers that will make this season for USA Wrestling a success.  And for those that are waiting for that special plea to get back involved with a timeless sport, I hope this was enough for them to join us.      Our sport makes a difference and we can always widen its reach with a few more dedicated volunteers.