Subj: Comment on referees in THE WILSON WAY

Date: 12/21/2000 9:18:22 AM Eastern Standard Time

From: An Official's Wife

To: Webmaster@wilsonwrestling.com

A friend of ours told us to check out your web site - especially the essay posted by the head coach. I would like to thank him for writing such a sophisticated, yet to the point section upon the treatment of referees at matches. My husband is a D11 referee that not only referees matches in D11, but all over the country as well. He has always thought highly of the professional demeanor of the Wilson staff AND athletes. Upon reading the essay, out loud to not only myself but to our 3 children as well, I saw a sense of appreciation spread across his face. Often times he may return from a match or especially a tournament and comment upon the "abuse" or unnecessary criticisms that were afforded him and others by coaches and fans. This essay helped to remind him that there ARE people out there who appreciate and understand the job that he as a referee is trying to do. The Wilson Staff, as I have personally observed, not only say it, but display it.

Many times coaches do not realize that they have a following of fans who will act and repeat the same things that the coaches do. It is so true that a coach not only educates his athletes in wrestling, but the fans as well. A coach who often gets "over-excited" and becomes "abusive" to referees also has a following of fans who do the same. It is so hard sometimes to sit in the crowd with our children and listen to the unnecessary and usually inappropriate comments uttered by fans who do not know the rules or situations at hand. You just want to turn around and say "shut up moron"! But you think twice and try to explain to the children that their father is doing the best job that he can, but not everyone will understand that nor want to. You end up describing these people (and coaches) as bullies. The other children at the match then emulate the behaviors that their parents as fans or as a coach display in the gymnasium. Now we have a never-ending cycle.

Wrestling officials is a dying breed. An official doesn't just officiate one bout, but 13 in a dual meet. He must be ready for everything and "wrestle" all 13 bouts. He does not have "time-outs" and usually does not have anyone in his corner to back up his decisions or interpretations like other sports. Basketball referees do not need to throw themselves belly-down onto a mat and risk getting kicked in the face to call a pin. Football referees do not need to pay attention to everything that happens all over the field, only in their "jurisdiction" on the field. These are just a few examples of how wrestling as a sport demands much of its referees. I won't even attempt to go into the gray areas of split-second interpretations that need to be made amidst a flurry of action - I could write a book. True wrestling fans and coaches already understand.

Again, it would be a much better world for our referees, in all sports, if other programs would adopt the same ideals and mannerisms as the Wilson Wrestling program not only says it does, but proves it does in public actions.

--An official's wife.