Illinois USA Wrestling, the state association in Illinois, has set an all-time record for coach membership from a state by registering 2,480 coach members for the 2004-05 USA Wrestling membership season.

This state association, under the leadership of state chairperson Jim Considine and a very active wrestling community, has developed a very strong base of coaches within the state.

As of statistics on October 20, Illinois' coach membership was 2,480 for the 2004-05 season, a new national record for a state association.

The previous record for coach membership was set by Illinois during the 2003-04 membership year with 2,416 for that year.

USA Wrestling also broke its national record for coach members this year with 20,038 coaches registered.

"We are extremely proud of this record. It is one of our goals," said Considine. "Our goal as an organization is to be No. 1 in all categories. We would like to catch and surpass California in athlete members, too. We are pleased with how the organization has progressed and grown over the last 10 years. I am proud of our board and our entire state for what everybody has done to make it a great organization."

"Illinois has a complete club structure," said Considine. "More coaches sign up for the program to participate in practices and tournaments. Our state series starts the first week of December, and teams begin practice earlier than that. We have tournaments every weekend through the first week in March. The structure encourages more coaches to participate. We find more and more adults want to be part of the organization and sign up with their local clubs to become coaches."

The Illinois wrestling community takes pride in being a leader within the sport on a national level.

 "The new all time record for coaches set by the Illinois State Association is indicative of the outstanding programs provided to the USA Wrestling members in the state of Illinois," said Mark Scott, USA Wrestling Director of State Services. "Their outstanding club programs, sensational folkstyle season and progressive freestyle/Greco-Roman programs encourage individuals to become members at every level."

"The leadership within the USAW/Illinois State Association is dedicated in bringing more individuals into the wrestling family and sharing with them the benefits of a USA Wrestling membership.  This record number of coaches registered in Illinois is a tribute to the hard work of many dedicated USA Wrestling volunteers in that state," said Scott.