Old enough to have been mat-side when you won your first of 4 titles, Coach Martin, it is with much respect, I appreciate the discussion and respond with no solution--maybe, and plenty of observations.

I've been to every Mat Classic AND to a variety of State tournaments for different classification locations (Cheney, PLU, Central Washington) around the State for over a decade PRIOR.

Here are some random thoughts--have them what you will.

1. IS THIS MESSAGE BOARD AN ECHOL CHAMBER & REPRESENTATIVE OF VIEWS THAT MATTER?
Dave's Message Board reaches only the hard-core wrestling fans.
The average high school wrestler & their family doesn't know this site exists.
AND, as hard-core fans a massive tournament with all your friends & competitors under one big wooden roof is AWESOME!
People here are used to big tournaments, the expanse of mats, and the chaos, and we love it.

2. CONVENIENCE
If you're NOT a coach or on a team that regularly goes to State. The Tacoma Dome is a NIGHTMARE. Public Parking, Tickets, waiting in lines, fighting for seating that's already been saved by teams, bad sightlines with TDome renovations, etc.

The GENERAL public has it rough, while teams have their own team parking pass & wait in a brief line in the back of the TDOME to get in.

3. FINANCIAL- State Level
Few know what the WIAA's finances are when hosting Mat Classic. On one hand, you'll hear they make a sh*t ton of money having everyone in one place. On the other, you hear the TDome is pricing wresting out with annual price increases in fees, security, & maintenance.
Has there ever been transparency with the State financials (none that I've seen) and, the last I've heard is that "the contract" is up after next year.
Credit the WIAA for making it XXXIV years. But there are many changes that are making it a different event.
+ What are the administrative & tournament workers cost--many, MANY people on a timesheet.
+ What are the officials' total costs--anyone hosting a tournament knows those costs have gone through the roof?
+ Cost for ATCs?
+ Janitorial
Are they offset by paid admissions?

4. EVENT SPACE- a transformation-- called by the Tacoma Dome, a "REINVIGORATION"
The Tacoma Dome has evolved FROM a Sports Venue TO an Event Venue. Concerts > Sports.
For 38 years, more than 25 million people enjoyed world-class entertainment and events at the Tacoma Dome. In the summer of 2018, the Dome was enhanced with more than $30 million in capital improvements focused on making the live experience even better for guests and shows.
Mat Classic began in the TDome in 1989 and ran 29 of those years. For 4 years Mat Classic has dealt with the "reinvigoration" that's been a challenge & less than ideal compared with the years prior years.
Away from the eyes of 99.9% are the new "blue rooms" for the stars & concert performers and they ARE amazing: sculptured walls, in-direct and ambient LED lighting, plush furnishings, extravagant full bars, high-tech entertainment centers.
NONE of which does anything for wrestling.

5. FINANCIAL- Classifications > Schools: Travel, Lodging, Meals, other.
The city of Tacoma loves Mat Classic. I can't even count the number of different hotels I've stayed in but all of them will tell you they love the business! And as crappy a dive as the Best Western gets each year, in the same parking lot, no matter how bad it is, it can't go out of business.

What's the cost to schools in taxpayer dollars?
One coach recently told me how expensive it was for his team.
+ School bus vs Private Charter ($3-5k for the weekend)
+ 1 bed per athlete (district rule...makes sense) divided by double-doubles rooms if available or single rooms.
+ 1 bed per supervisor (girls required a separate female non-coach adult supervisor), & another separate room for the bus driver.
+ Meal money is given by the district for athletes for each day away from home/school (breakfast: $7, lunch: $9 & dinner:$14)--didn't matter if they were cutting weight or not eating. Coach's rates were nearly double.

Another coach has told me his booster club pays for everything. District taxpayer vs Boosters is that equitable across the state?

And, who travels the most? Who travels the farthest? What classifications?

6. EXPERIENCE
I think the WIAA--or more aptly, the amazing tournament directors for each division are amazing individuals for their dedication & devotion to the vision for the event.
But it's changed.
The debate is whether it's a better or worse experience and IMPORTANTLY: FROM WHO'S PERSPECTIVE.
.....Athlete or Fan?
.....Is it for the HARDCORE wrestler or fan?
.....Is it for the CASUAL wrestler or fan?
.....Is it for the COACHES?
-----Is it to serve as a shining gem in the crown of the WIAA?

Is MORE better? Is cramming everyone under one roof the way to go?

For ME, I loved it 34 years ago.
Now, not so sure that I wouldn't welcome a change & return to the days when a singularly focused, one-mat final had everyone on their feet, screaming, & raising the roof in an intimate environment.

There are MANY great facilities in other regions of the state that could run a classification of 16 or 32-person brackets.

(last minute plot twist) In closing, if we REALLY want to make Mat Classic the pinnacle of events, make each weight a 64-man bracket with ALL classifications COMBINED-- a TRUE State tournament.
Smarter people than me can figure out the regional qualifying.

Classifications continue to change https://wiaa.com/subcontent.aspx?SecID=1097 but a combined State Championship is really what we all want...isn't it?
(if not, divide 'em out & stop the madness)





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