PWCA Spring Meeting- April 1, 2001

Elks Club in Boalsburg, PA

President Walt Fisk called the meeting to order at noon..

The following topics were discussed (with my notes as annotations)

Forms were passed out for nominations for Hall of Fame for 2002... (Each District should do some research for those who deserve this honor)

According to the records, there were 416 members for the 2000-2001 season. (Dues are just $5.. ALL coaches should belong) Mail $5 to PWCA % Joe Chwalek, Dept PAW, 215 Midway Avenue, Clark Summit, PA  18411

Earl Stoddard and Ron Kanaskie will once again compile and select the All-Academic Teams.. (Watch this website and the new Pennsylvania Wrestling Newspaper for a complete listing.)

The Executive Board voted 7-2 (District Presidents voting) to favor the inclusion on the 215-pound weight class for 2001-2002.

The Board voted unanimously to keep the 2-pound growth allowance as is.

Complaints were noted regarding the weigh-ins at the PIAA Championships. Main complaint was that they were not started on time.

Sentiment was that selections of officials for the PIAA Championships should be based upon merit more than a rotation. It was felt that a more detailed and uniform evaluation process be implemented. (Perhaps invite NCAA evaluator Joe Cesari to a meeting to explain the NCAA evaluation and selection procedures.)

Bill Creps found some discrepancy in the Class AA bracketing and presented a "more equitable" pairing format. (The Board agreed the proposal seemd to be a valid and good one.. it was also noted the AAA pairings should be inpected also for any inequities.)

The proposed 32-man bracket for 2002 PIAA Championships was discussed. The Board felt they had to have more details before taking a position officially.  Some concerns are.. the extra bouts and round.. in a timeframe that wouldn't change from the present (using 8 mats.. same schedule), one round extra in an already brutal tournament, distance for older fans to travel (eliminating their Regional sites), time frame to empty arena on  an already tight schedule.

Discussion of adding an third Class.. Class A..  Discrepancies were pointed out in the rounding of numbers in other sports. (Mixed reaction to this.. some felt would be watering down too much)

Proposal for changing Junior High length of match periods to 3 one-and-a-half minute periods.

Proposal for instituting a PWCA Wrestling Coaches Clinic in April of 2002. Randy Cathcart will chair this committee with Bill Creps, Norman Palovcsik and Tom Elling serving as committee members.

Dress code for Coaches was also discussed. Board feels the perception of wrestling coaches needs to be elevated. Tom Elling noted that the NCAA has taken a stance on this and will not permit coaches improperly dressed in a contestant's corner. In a discussion with Bob Bubb, Elling related that Bubb says the NCAA feels very strongly about this issue and that although wrestling is a "blue collar sport.. we are evaluated by a white collar society."

Walt Fisk will be chairing the Challenge of Champions event for 2002. We will once again attempt to secure an all-star meeti with a neighboring state..  Committee members include Tom Elling, Bill Creps, Tony Iasiello.

Treasurer Joe Chwalek impressed upon the group that the treasury is in need of funds. He suggested each District raise $100-200 to pass on to the PWCA. It was agreed that each District President would go back and find a way for his District to raise $100 for the PWCA treasury.

The PIAA Wrestling Steering Committee will meet Sunday, April 8, 2001, at the PIAA Office in Mechanicsburg.

Watch here for results of that meeting.