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Shame WIAA for still using the Tacoma Dome.

Posted by Uncle Ed on 2/22/2023, 3:15 pm

What an absolute dump our great state wrestling tournament has become. A tournament that once a top-notch spectacle of High School wrestling. A theatrical event, sponsored by the Dairy Farmers, and blessed by the voices of Ed Aliverti and others. Now, a corrupt money-making event in a nasty building, disgusting part of the city of Tacoma, and overcrowded slum. The athletes are not showcased rather a spec of chaos. The fans fight over seating and there is no place to park. I wrestled in the tournament when it was at its peak. Now, I go there out of necessity to support those in my family. It is not a fun event but a chore. I would rather go watch a High school basketball game and that is a shame.

Re: Shame WIAA for still using the Tacoma Dome.

Posted by Candy Asse on 2/22/2023, 4:16 pm, in reply to "Shame WIAA for still using the Tacoma Dome. "

Agree. The once Grand event that other states came to check out and seek to emulate now looks like second rate weekend freestyle event in a big building.

Dirty dirty mats

Moving matches off the previously set mats for the classification to other mats to race through the event.

Leader boards gone

Virtually no PA announcer

No brackets

Terrible searing and site lines. God dam at least clean the damn bleachers. Dirt and dust all Over them. Tacoma dome is dirty dingy building.

Kids standing in the rain for close to an hour the morning of weigh ins and first whistle. What a rinky dink second rate production.

Scoreclocks : could any normal human other than Superman see those without their Hubble Telescope?

Re: Shame WIAA for still using the Tacoma Dome.

Posted by Zipper on 2/22/2023, 6:05 pm, in reply to "Re: Shame WIAA for still using the Tacoma Dome. "

And, put up a visible mat assignment screen. As with other Mat Classic features, it was better in the past.

Re: Shame WIAA for still using the Tacoma Dome.

Posted by Re uncle ed on 2/23/2023, 3:59 am, in reply to "Shame WIAA for still using the Tacoma Dome. "

Most accurate description of mat classic I’ve heard yet. My sediments exactly.

Re: Shame WIAA for still using the Tacoma Dome.

Posted by 2x on 2/23/2023, 10:59 am, in reply to "Re: Shame WIAA for still using the Tacoma Dome. "

Then don't go. Tired of reading all the shit ppl complain about. Move to Idaho or Oregon. Its like your wife is tired of hearing you complain so you need an audience. Do something about all these problems or shut up. Let's try helping instead of bashing the mat classic.

Re: Shame WIAA for still using the Tacoma Dome.

Posted by Dumb Reply on 2/23/2023, 11:17 am, in reply to "Re: Shame WIAA for still using the Tacoma Dome. "

That's like saying "if you don't like hearing our bitching about the location, then don't go on a forum to read about it".

This is a forum to talk about high school wrestling. The Tacoma Dome is a huge part of that. More and more people are fed up with the state tournament being at the dome, so they complain about it to others who will listen.

Just because someone doesn't have the knowledge or drive to figure out ways to directly make a change, doesn't mean they have to sit and shut up like good little sheep.

The dome has run its course. Time to move on and make state about the wrestlers again.

If you don't like hearing these words, then feel free to not use this forum

Re: Shame WIAA for still using the Tacoma Dome.

Posted by Then offer a suggestion on 2/23/2023, 12:01 pm, in reply to "Re: Shame WIAA for still using the Tacoma Dome. "

I see many people complaining about the Tacoma Dome as a location and other issues with how the Mat Classic is run. I'll even give you that most of your complaints are valid. What I haven't seen is any suggestions about what a good option to the Tacoma Dome would be or what changes should be made to improve the tournament. Another post provided a good breakdown of other possible locations, none of which would have the capability of hosting a similar sized tournament.

So, let's hear some discussion on what you would like to see done to make things better as well as what you're willing to do to make those happen.

Are you willing to have an event that runs to 11pm both nights in order to keep classifications on the same mats they started on? Are you willing to split the event to have at a better location?

I believe that some issues are going to be issues no matter where it is held. If it is at a large event center, unless WIAA contracts to allow outside food and beverage, we're going to be stuck with the centers rules (which is usually no outside food). Parking is always an issue no matter where I've been for a major event (or even a lot of high schools).

Re: Shame WIAA for still using the Tacoma Dome.

Posted by Ace on 2/23/2023, 12:56 pm, in reply to "Re: Shame WIAA for still using the Tacoma Dome. "

I suggest that all stakeholders (including coaches) in the state tournament be given a voice and that the WIAA makes a commitment to hearing those voices and making adjustments to the state wrestling tournament to make it better. Otherwise, making other suggestions won't make much of a difference. Now, how do we get the WIAA to be receptive to suggestions and making positive changes?

Re: Shame WIAA for still using the Tacoma Dome.

Posted by Chet on 2/23/2023, 2:01 pm, in reply to "Re: Shame WIAA for still using the Tacoma Dome. "

Break up the divisions

Spokane Arena

Sundome

The Podium

Spokane Convention Center

Eastern Washington University

It probably sucked back then too

Posted by Good grief on 2/23/2023, 12:49 pm, in reply to "Shame WIAA for still using the Tacoma Dome. "

When was this supposed heyday of Mat Classic and where did it take place?

I think you are looking at the past with some foggy glasses of nostalgia.

Unless you are looking to destroy the sport in the state, combining classifications is foolhardy- WIAA has definitions for what makes a "team" for a sport, and championship classifications and sizes are defined by the number of schools with a "team". Insisting that wrestling "should" have one classification when other sports have 3-6 classifications for championships screams choose a different sport.

Regarding the meet: this vague complaint of "used to be" is utterly meaningless. The sheer scale of Mat Classic is impressive. Years ago we met a CA state champ in Pocatello who was intimidated by the size of the event- there were 6 mats at their state championships. What is it you are looking for in the meet?

Do you think fans won't fight over seats in some other venue? Where is your pristine city surrounding a venue that can host the event? I have yet to see a convention center, stadium, etc. In the posh part of town.

(BTW there is plenty of low/no cost parking if you are willing to walk about 10 minutes.)

And all you grumpy old folks face it: those wooden scoreboards are gone and technology exists. Your scoreboard is in your hand...if you don't know how to use track, maybe ask a wrestler to show you...while you're at it maybe ask them which pageantry they miss and is worth extending the meet for in their eyes. For example, my wrestlers would have love to have the "old" parade of champions occur including all medalists, but they have no interest in extending the days with multiple sessions or an evening finals session- they were happy to have time to go to dinner after the meet and awards were over on Saturday.

Maybe suggest solutions rather than just throw out an overarching bitch fest.

Re: It probably sucked back then too

Posted by yousuckedbackthentoo on 2/23/2023, 2:08 pm, in reply to "It probably sucked back then too"

Terrible arguments all around. In fact, you did not make one plausible argument. You did manage an attempt at gloating by mentioning "my kids and parade of champions". The dome is a dumb, the kids, fans, and coaches deserve better. My bet, you live within close distance to the dome. Therefore....

Re: It probably sucked back then too

Posted by Fan on 2/24/2023, 10:13 am, in reply to "Re: It probably sucked back then too"

Every year this happens, state wraps up and people find a way to have an issue with our state tournament.

If it is split up it will end up in High School gyms, and that's a terrible solution.

Wrestlers love the T-Dome, I bet most coaches do to.

No venue will be perfect and because of that people will always find a way to complain, if we move it everyone will complain about the split.

The one state tournament thing would do nothing but slow the growth of the sport. What's most important one state champion or growing the sport of wrestling? I for one believe growing the sport of wrestling is the most important, as most people involved with the sport for THE RIGHT reasons know; the sport of wrestling does way more for everyone than wrestling at state and the more kids we can get to wrestle and benefit from the sport the better.

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