The USA Wrestling Board of Directors held its semi-annual meeting at the Renaissance Hotel in St. Louis, Mo., Sunday, March 21. USA Wrestling President Stan Dziedzic of Roswell, Ga. chaired the meeting.    In his opening address, Dziedzic updated the Board on the major activities and achievements of USA Wrestling since the last Board meeting. He congratulated the U.S. teams at the World Freestyle Championships in New York City for winning seven medals and placing second in both men's and women's freestyle wrestling. He also applauded the efforts of the Metropolitan Wrestling Association and NYC2012 for their outstanding efforts in hosting the competition, considered one of the greatest international wrestling events in history.    He talked about the importance of the "Evening with Legends" event held at the New York Athletic Club, in which FILA presented special awards to wrestlers J. Dennis Hastert, Donald Rumsfeld, Steve Friedman, Norman Bourlag and John Irving for their achievements. Longtime USA Wrestling leaders John and Helen Vaughan were also given a special honor. Dziedzic also congratulated Bruce Baumgartner and John Smith for being inducted into the inaugural FILA Wrestling Hall of Fame.    Dziedzic explained USA Wrestling's new affiliation with the Jason Foundation to work on the silent epidemic of youth suicide. "We have a great platform with our state associations and coaches groups," said Dziedzic. "Awareness is instrumental. We are proud to add this into our program."    He noted some of the changes in the international wrestling situation, including a new set of rules expected to be in place after the 2004 Olympic Games. "Rather than just looking at what's wrong, we look at it as a work in progress. FILA is addressing some major issues. If we use our resources, we can affect their logic. Hopefully, we can get wrestling to a better spot."    Dziedzic noted that Board member Scott Beck had stepped down, and that Jim Keen had been appointed to complete his term. He thanked Beck for his service to the sport and organization.    Executive Director Rich Bender presented printed copies of the Executive Director's report, and thanked the staff, volunteers, state leaders, the Board and especially the athletes for making USA Wrestling the organization that it is.    He made special mention of the work of Board member Rance Stein in assisting with immigration issues that led to the hiring of two-time Olympic champion Sergei Beloglazov as the Freestyle Resident Coach.    Director of State Services Mark Scott, who served as Event Director of the 2003 World Freestyle Championships in New York City, reported on the competition. Calling it "one of the greatest events of all time," Scott praised the contributions of the New York area wrestling community to the tournament. "Overall, it was an entire team of people, a huge team effort," said Scott.    Marcie Ahern of the Indianapolis Sports Corporation reported on the progress of the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Indianapolis, Ind., May 21-23. Ahern provided a detailed explanation of the planning for the event and the marketing efforts.    "They are the one of the most thorough local organizing committee we have ever worked with," said Bender.    Director of National Teams Mitch Hull reported on the Olympic Games preparation. He noted that the USA had qualified 17 or 18 weight divisions. He explained the training plans for the U.S. teams, as well as the USA Wrestling plans for housing in Athens.     Dziedzic announced that the sites of the Senior World Championships in the next quadrennium would be Hungary (2005), China (2006) and Germany (2007).    Treasurer Van Stokes provided an update to the Board about the financial situation of the organization. "USA Wrestling is managed well, and has excellent budget execution," said Stokes. He provided information on some of the challenges ahead, and noted that the organization must be prepared to deal with changing conditions.    Greg Strobel gave a report from the ad-hoc Title IX committee, as well as a status report on the efforts for reform of the law's interpretation. He noted the efforts of the College Sports Council to bring many sports together on this issue.    FILA Bureau member Larry Sciacchetano reported on the international wrestling federation.    "President (Raphael) Martinetti is doing a good job," said Sciacchetano. "It is a more open process. We have a voice. It is 100% better now."    Sciacchetano noted that FILA was working with other sports to create a wrestling training center in Lausanne, Switzerland, and is seeking funding from the International Olympic Committee for the project    He noted that in mid-March the FILA Bureau had passed a set of new international wrestling rules that would be presented at the FILA Congress during the 2004 Olympic Games. He noted that these rules are scheduled to go into effect after the Olympics, and could change the sport dramatically. Sciacchetano also noted that FILA intends to add a 50 kg weight class to men's freestyle and Greco-Roman that would be contested at the World Championships but not the Olympic Games.    Dziedzic discussed the creation of an ad hoc committee to test out the new rules, and to provide direction to USA Wrestling on how to suggest adjustments to FILA. Dziedzic asked Board member Dan Gable to consider being involved in this process.    Board member Jim Keen, in his capacity with the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Board of Governors, reported on the activities of the Hall of Fame. He also noted that USA Wrestling and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame were working together to consider a new operating arrangement, while maintaining the Hall of Fame's autonomy in its process. Dziedzic told the Board that the USA Wrestling Executive Committee had approved moving forward in these talks with the Hall of Fame.    On behalf of the Officials Association, Board member Bill Stecklein reported on the new Top Gun program for officials education that has begun this year. He also noted that five U.S. referees were under consideration to work at the 2004 Olympic Games, and that three is the most U.S. officials that would be appointed to work the event. Those Olympic officials candidates are Rick Tucci, Bill Stecklein, Dave Errett, Tom Clark and Jack Bowman.    In his Junior Olympic report, Board member Duane Morgan reported on some initiatives underway, including a proposal to switch to straight line bracketing at the major USA Wrestling age-group events. He also reported that USA Wrestling has sent a free Club Builder DVD to all of its chartered clubs.    Board member Mike Duroe, in his report for the Coaches Council, noted that the organization is providing input on USA Wrestling's fee structure. Dziedzic noted that there are a host of issues concerning developing a system and structure for decisions concerning the price of USA Wrestling memberships.    Board member Jerry Diehl, in his report on the National Federation of State High Schools Associations, noted that wrestler John Smith had been inducted this year into the High School Hall of Fame. He noted the two major issues concerning wrestling on the high school level, the weight management system and a proposal to readjust back to 12 weight classes. He also reinforced the NHFS stance against the use of supplements.    Board member Greg Strobel, on behalf of the FILA Junior/University Committee, noted that a proposal to change the selection process for the Junior World Team is now being considered. The final selection of the team would be done through a competition at the Junior World Training Camp, in a format similar to the Senior World Team Trials event.    In his report on the Metropolitan Wrestling Association, Set Agonian thanked many people for their efforts with the World Championships, including Bill Farrell, Rich Bender and Bruce Baumgartner. He also thanked USA Wrestling for its financial support of the "Beat the Streets" initiative in New York City. He presented information on his trip to Bulgaria, representing the U.S. Olympic Committee, for sports meetings there.    Rich Bender officially recognized Stan Dzi