Lehigh Sports Forum

Somehow I just don’t see wrestling happening in the fall semester. Now would be a perfect time for the coaches and AD’s to ask the NCAA to move wrestling to a second semester sport. That would also move the NCAA’s to late April, avoiding the basketball and hockey championships, and making for better weather prospects.
Thoughts?

Great point. This virus has already accelerated change in many areas that were hanging in limbo. Perhaps this is the impetus to finally stop foot dragging on this issue. I know Pat would love it.

D3

Never understood what going to one semester accomplishes other than a further de-emphasis of the sport.

It primarily benefits the wrestlers. As you know, wrestling is now beginning in October and lasting until Mid March. That represents a lot of wear and tear on the body plus a long time to manage weight while taking classes, exams etc.

Beginning in January and ending in April will allow the body to recover while giving the wrestler the best chance to succeed in the classroom and yes enjoy the holidays. Personally I think the season has gotten out of control when compared to our days on campus.

TMH wrote: ↑Thu May 21, 2020 11:56 am It primarily benefits the wrestlers. As you know, wrestling is now beginning in October and lasting until Mid March. That represents a lot of wear and tear on the body plus a long time to manage weight while taking classes, exams etc.

Beginning in January and ending in April will allow the body to recover while giving the wrestler the best chance to succeed in the classroom and yes enjoy the holidays. Personally I think the season has gotten out of control when compared to our days on campus.

Wrestling is a year-round sport so going to one semester in college won't address the wear and tear issue. That ship sailed 20 years ago.

That's part of the 'wear and tear' problem. These kids are pounding their bodies all the time. Same repeated stresses on the knees, shoulder, elbows, necks. People make a 'big deal' about some kid winning 100 matches in high school. That was big deal when there were only 10 dual meets and maybe a Holiday tournament, and the states. Now, a kid will have 50 matches a year. It's abusive.

... I seem to remember 40-50 matches would be over 2 to 2+ seasons worth of wrestling.
For some, that was a career's worth of matches.
(My jr/sr HS season's amt. of matches = 40 bouts... that was in the early to mid 70's.)
D3

Weight training is pervasive today whereas it was spotty back in the day. Weight training has actually mitigated injuries given the doubling and in some cases tripling of bouts per year. Strengthening muscles around the joints is very helpful but positions such as the leg pass-through and those attempting to 'rubber knee' like Kolat are mainly responsible for these injuries. Pass-throughs should be illegal and anyone rubber-kneeing it to avoid a take down should be called for stalling. Giving up a TD off a good, deep shot isn't the end of the world -- jeopardizing your own joint is just silly. Why it's being taught and coached is a mystery. This is where the rules committee has to step in a fix it. Retired coaches only, like Greg Strobel, Bruce Burnett and Bobby Douglas --- no active coaches along with former wrestler orthopaedic doctors and 1 AD from every D1 conference.