Wisconsin Wrestling Coaches Association

WWCA Executive Board Meeting
Thursday November 2, 2006
Regency Suites & KI Convention Center
Green Bay, Wi.

President Bob Empey called the meeting to order at 8:17 p.m.

Members Present: Wendall Bean, Bob Olson, Dave McCarthy, Luke Francois, Don Hartman, Jim Stephenson, Mel Dow, Keith Morin, Craig Belcher, Barry Schmitt, Ed Lenard, Scott Schmitz. Dave Black, Bob Empey, Eric Lehrke, Jerry Barr, John Stockowitz, Don Kreuser, Don Hale, Ken Manning, Blaine Felsman.

Bob Empey gave his President's report. He stated the cost of gathering information on determining Wisconsin weights compared to Minnesota weights in regards to Weight Classes was $250.00 and would be paid to John Peterson of Minnesota for his efforts. (A motion was made later in the meeting by Don Kreuser and seconded by Craig Belcher to pay John Peterson $250.00 for his work on gathering the information on the weight classes. Motion Carried.) The adjusted cost of the yearbook was passed 9-1 through e-mail response. 

Don Hale gave the Secretary's report. The July 13, 2006 minutes were to be amended in regards to the cost of membership. John Stockowitz made a motion for membership dues to be $30.00. Luke Francois 2nd. Motion carried. Luke Francois motioned to approve the secretary's report. Wendall Bean 2nd. Motion carried.

Eric Lehrke gave the Treasurer's report. He state money has been received for the Scholarship fund. Jerry Barr made a motion to accept the treasurer's report. Bob Empey 2nd. Motion carried.

Blaine Felsman reported on the Golf Outing. Next Year's Outing will be on June 16, 2007 at Lake Breeze Golf Course in Winneconne. He mentioned the need for more golfers to participate.

Ken Manning and John Stockowitz reported on the Clinic. At this point 433 coaches are attending the clinic with the total of the Banquet reaching around 600. Volunteers for introducing Clinicians were assigned by Ken.

This year's WWCA Yearbook was handed out. 1000 yearbooks were made and the Alumni Chapter will help give input on what should be done with the extra books.

Don Kreuser gave the Awards report. To speed up the presentation; Craig Belcher, John Stockowitz, and Wendall Bean will help line-up recipients for awards. 

Awards at the State Tournament were talked about. It was decided to have the Hall of Fame members along with the Executive Committee hand out awards. 

Dave McCarthy reported 52 of the 58 Nicholas Suite seats have been paid for. Dave commented that WWCA members need to utilize the web-site voting process more. Luke Francois spoke that the National Guard and Terry Shockley will again sponsor the radio spots between the Holiday Tournaments and the State Tournaments. The television coverage will again be shown on a taped delayed basis and done by Wrestling When We Were Young. Dave thanked Luke for all his work. Dave Black suggested to Luke check on the broadcasting in the western part of the state. FSN network is the network doing the coverage. 

Web-site director Bob Olson stated Justin Tritz is doing an excellent job. Justin will talk at the annual meeting about the web-site and how to utilize it. Bob again mentioned to let him know of any postings as well as Justin to help make things run smoother.

Jerry Barr reported on the Hall of Fame. The Kiosk needs to have information plugged into it through David Kirkland of Atlanta, Georgia. Craig Belcher made a motion to have Hall of Fame Chairman Jerry Barr contact Justin to do the communication with David Kirkland for placing Hall of Fame members on the Kiosk. Don Kreuser 2nd.. Motion carried.

Jim Stephenson and Don Hartmann reported on the Alumni Committee. They spoke about the meetings the committee has had and the enthusiasm they have for the WWCA Wrestling History Project. They presented the Executive Committee a written handout with proposals for the 2007 clinic and a History of Wrestling in Wisconsin. They will check into a band of (our) musicians for a performance at the 2007 banquet. Jim Stephenson will be the new director of the WWCA Alumni Chapter upon Don Hartmann's request. The Alumni Committee will be meeting tomorrow to discuss tonight's proposals.

Luke Francois made a motion to start a fund for a permanent area (museum/building) for display of the History of Wisconsin Wrestling and WWCA History. Craig Belcher 2nd. Motion Carried. Mel Dow made motion to set aside $1000.00 to start the fund. Ken Manning 2nd. This amount could be raised in the future (at the State Tournament). Motion Carried. Contributions to the fund will be mentioned at the WWCA Annual Business Meeting. The new fund will be given a special name for future contributions.

State Coach Scott Schmitz will receive information for the National Team Tournament and give information to seniors at the State Tournament. 

There will be a change this year for the times at the Individual State Tournament because Divisions 2 and 3 will have a wrestle-back to 3rd Place. Divisions 2 and 3 will also wrestle on Thursday night. Also: The 7% information and recording will be done on-line this year.

There was a suggestion to have Official rankings done on line by means of a picture of the official and the number of the official. We plan to check with Justin about this possibility.

At our next meeting the committee will also discuss the possibility of recognizing a Developmental Coach of the Year to recognize coaches in the little kids programs. It was suggested giving one award per district.

Bob Empey has a proposal to have the State Dual Meet telecast done differently with the production done by When We Were Young Productions. Before anything would be decided the committee would like to see the plan on paper as compared to the present form.

A question concerning donations given to the WWCA was discussed. We need to know who is donating to the Clinic and Golf Outing so we don't ask the same people and organizations.

The committee talked about a Code of Ethics regarding Wrestling Coaches. No action was taken.

Mel Dow made a motion and Luke Francois 2nd to have a Wisconsin Wrestling Federation presentation at the Hall of Fame Banquet recognizing someone of the WWF. Motion Carried.

Mel Dow made a motion to give $100.00 to sponsor a District 7 coach's gathering. Luke Francois 2nd. Motion carried.

Barry Schmitt made a motion to adjourn. Blaine Felsman 2nd. Meeting adjourned at 11:25 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted.

Don Hale
WWCA Secretary