The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) held its annual convention before a record number of participants and vendors at the New York Athletic Club in New York City.  The NWCA Convention, which was presented by ASICS, Cliff Keen and Resilite, was held on September 11, and was in conjunction with the World  Freestyle Championships at Madison Square Garden.      Highlighting the one-day convention was a stirring keynote speech by Lieutenant General Martin Steele, USMC (Ret).    Lieutenant General Steele recently retired as President & CEO of the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum in New York City.  He assumed this position after retiring from active duty in the Marine Corps on 1 August 1999 from the position of Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, Policies and Operations, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.  He was also the catalyst behind the formation of the NWCA/United States Marines Corps Leadership Training Program.    It was only fitting that Lieutenant General Steele gave his keynote speech on September 11 in New York City.  He moved the crowd during the Kennedy Industries Luncheon as he spoke about the storied history of the USS Intrepid and the parallels with the World Trade Center attacks. It was particularly motivating to hear General Steele suggest that amateur wrestling develops the kind of character that was demonstrated in the heroes of the Intrepid and September 11.     He suggested that wrestling is one of the only sports that is capable building the kind of leaders this country needs.  As he phrased it, "wrestling is the last bastion of leadership."  He spoke about Dan Gable and J Robinson in how are they are true role models and symbols of leadership.      He spoke openly about his son David who went into harm's way early in the Afghanistan conflict as a pilot of a Cobra Helicopter.  He spoke about his son's mission when his helicopter was about to crash and he had to rely on his instincts to survive.  He said afterwards it was his faith in God, his training as a Marine, and experience as a wrestler, that got him through a near death experience.    He concluded by thanking the coaches and the wrestling community for their commitment to developing leadership skills and helping his son become the man that he is today.         Other Convention highlights:    J Robinson presented a 90-minute seminar on promoting and marketing of wrestling.  Robinson delivered a strong message that we must self promote and not wait for the administration to do it for us.  As a sport group, we must find solutions to our problems.  He presented many of the promotional and marketing ideas that he employs at the University of Minnesota.    1988 U.S. Olympic Team Member Ken Chertow did a one-hour segment on "Keys to Developing Champions." Chertow spent time demonstrating successful practices and drilling methods.  Chertow utilized wresters from his Gold Medal Training Camp system to demonstrate how to drill smarter and effectively.      Many coaches today face problems with conflict management being with their wrestlers to the administration.  U.S. Justice Department Trainer and Consultant Jan Mirikitani, presented a 60-minute seminar on Leadership Principles for Conflict Management.    Legendary Coach Dan Gable delivered an inspiring seminar on "Peaking Your Team."   Coach Gable lectured on how he prepared his team 28-days out from the NCAA Championships.  He gave insight on how he prepared his Hawkeyes to win 17 NCAA team titles.    Other seminars included a strength and conditioning presentation by National Strength Coach of the Year, Mike Arthur from the University of Nebraska, plus a tremendous technique session by Dan Gable.      As in years past, the convention concluded with the exhibitors social.  This is a time to recognize the exhibitors that supported the convention.  At the conclusion of the exhibitor social was a large raffle, which included two airline tickets compliments of Navigant Sports Travel.      This year's exhibitors included:  AAU, AB Band Training, Action Athletic Equipment, All-Star Publishing, Borden Perlman Insurance, Brute, Championship Access, Chertow Camps, CP Product, Driving Force, Hammer Strength, Honey Stinger, International Wrestling Museum, Life Measurement Incorporated, Live Sports Video, Martin Screen Prints, My Sports Dreams, Navigant Sports Travel, PC Kreider Tournaments, Sports Health Corporation, Smart Bells, Takedown Attacks, Tanita Corporation and WIN Magazine.     The 2004 NWCA Convention is tentatively scheduled for May 20-23, 2004 in conjunction with the U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Wrestling in Indianapolis, Indiana.