2003 NCAA Wrestling Championships kicks off with inaugural Opening Ceremonies    The 2003 NCAA Div. I Championships started a little bit earlier this year. For the first time in history, a formal Opening Ceremonies activity was held the night before the tournament started.    This was an event geared for the wrestling fan and the general public, a big festival of NCAA propoganda, wrestling activities, sports displays and other features.    A few thousand fans showed up to get a taste of wrestling culture, meet some famous wrestling stars, and welcome the NCAA teams to Kansas City.    In the front of the large meeting hall was a big stage with an arena-sized television screen. Prior to the start of the formal program, the 2002 NCAA Championships broadcast was shown, including the now-legendary Cael Sanderson finals victory. The stage was entitled NCAA "Beyond the Game," sponsored by CBS Sports.    This is an extension of the NCAA Experience, a multi-media fan fest that is held at each NCAA Championships event.There were interactive sports opportunities for fans to try lacrosse, football, basketball, baseball and rowing in fancy demonstration tents.    There was a splash of commercialism mixed in, with large displays by Coca-Cola and Cingulair, in addition to a number of wrestling organizations. In addition, there was a food mart area, where fans could buy some fast food.    When the formal presentation began, the mayor of Kansas City was introduced, as well as Curt Blake, the chair of the NCAA Div. I wrestling committee. Both welcomed the athletes and fans and wished them well in the upcoming competition.    Then, one coach and one athlete from each participating schools were marched across the stage to applause from the crowd. There are over 70 teams competing in this year's event.    The first speaker of the evening was wrestling legend Dan Gable, who gave a rousing speech touching on many pressing issues for the wrestling community.    Gable noted that this will be his 38th straight NCAA Tournament, and that he has attended 27 of the last 32 World and Olympic championships.    "I've seen a lot of great wrestling. I've seen the crowds. The crowd here this week will be twice as large as the crowd at my first NCAA Championships," he said.    Gable noted that he was replacing the scheduled speaker for the night, the Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. "I am replacing a great man. Right now he gives credit to the sport of wrestling for his success," said Gable.    "It's the high bar of all sports," he continued. "It takes so much discipline and attitude than all other sports. It represents a standard of excellence."    Gable urged the people who cared about wrestling to get involved in the issues facing the sport, from the USOC to the IOC to the weight management issue.    "You are the ones who will turn dreams into reality with action. There is no time more important for wrestling than now," said Gable. "If you don't set up, up can go the other way. The people who have a passion have to get it done."    "The next three days are the greatest show on earth, and I'm proud to be a part of it," Gable concluded. "Wrestling isn't for everyone, but it should be."    When Gable was finished, the National Wrestling Coaches Association presented its annual awards, many which were announced last season. Among those to receive special NWCA recognition awards were Jan and Ron Mirikitani of Missouri, along with Stan Zeamer of Pennsylvania.    The next feature of the program was a question and answer session, conducted by announcer Sandy Stevens. She interviewed wrestling legends Bruce Baumgartner and Cael Sanderson, with questions from promoting the sport to the best advice they had received.    "We are in a critical time for the sport," said Baumgartner. "As fans, coaches and athletes, we must promote the sport and establish firm foundations on their campuses."    Sanderson was asked what advice he might have for his youngest brother, a high school wrestler. "First thing, he should get a haircut," said Sanderson. "Then, just wrestle hard, and don't worry about anything other than that."    Baumgartner spoke of his experiences as a four-time Olympian. He said the greatest honor was to represent the United States. He noted that the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain, where he won the gold medal, was the best tournament he had ever wrestled.     "Overall, the best moment was carrying the flag at the Opening Ceremony in the Atlanta Games," said Baumgartner. "It was a great day for myself and a proud day for our sport."    Sanderson spoke of how he dealt with the pressure of last year's NCAA Championships, when he won his fourth title without a loss.    "I tried to keep the same mindset in the NCAA Tournament," said Sanderson. "I tried to focus on wrestling well and competing the best I could."    When asked what the best advice he received, Cael was also quite direct.    "Not to worry about winning or losing,but just to be concerned about wrestling well. Keep things simple, do your best and have fun," he said.    When the formal program was ended, a musical concert was held to entertain the fans as they enjoyed the many exhibits that were included in the NCAA Experience. Next up - round one of the NCAA Championships on Thursday morning at 11:00 a.m.