The Wilson Way

It may not be a shocking revelation to anyone when we say that no two high school wrestling programs are the same. There are many factors that are involved that make any team or organization what they are. We believe that the Wilson wresting program is unique in many ways. The following are several examples of HOW we do things differently... and (more importantly) WHY!

ATTIRE:  One thing we require of our wrestlers is that they dress "appropriately" for all away competitions. We believe that one's attire speaks volumes, not only about themselves, but about the whole organization they represent. when you think about it, your appearance (including to great extent one's clothing) is not ONLY an expression of respect, but it tells others how important the occasion is to you. When applying for a job, for example, your appearance will make a loud statement about you... and without ever having to say a word. People almost always dress appropriately for a wedding. This is done as a demonstration of the respect they have for the occasion regardless of whether that person is a participant or a guest. Likewise, our wrestlers wear a shirt, tie and slacks to a competitions. This not ONLY sheds a positive light on our school but also it serves as a visible expression that wrestling is important to us. In the same manner, our coaches are attired in a shirt and tie as well. We don't believe that "jeans, a flannel shirt and sneakers" project the image we want as we represent our school and the great sport of wrestling. 

LANGUAGE: Neither the wrestlers on our team nor the coaches are EVER  permitted to use vulgar or foul language during practice, competition, or any other wrestling related activity. This, we believe, helps to give our program (do we dare say?) a more "clean and wholesome" atmosphere. Actually, we are often somewhat shocked by the language we hear (and is obviously tolerated) during the competitive season as we come into contact with members of other teams. It is very enjoyable for me personally to be able to train and compete in an environment free of "gutter language."

Can anyone honestly deny the following? There are "warnings" given before many movies indicating" ADULT LANGUAGE. However, in reality it could accurately be designated just about anything else except adult! Juvenile? YES! Immature? DEFINITELY! The use of "four-letter words" displays at least one of the following (if not more): lack of self-discipline; poor upbringing; low personal standards of behavior; an unhealthy desire to impress others; an excessive desire for attention. This is proven by the fact that the WORST members of our society... also just happen to use the worst language! Think about it. 

OUR APPROACH TO THE REFEREE: Our program has often been complimented for our "humane" treatment of the referee. However, this might say the most, NOT of what WE do, but of the way referees are treated by too many coaches. I know one young referee who quit recently. I had a chance to speak with him at length following his decision to "hang it up." The reason he gave for getting out was that he grew tired of being abused, harassed and intimidated by several highly successful local coaches. This referee was conscientious and very competent. He basically said that he didn't need to be publicly humiliated any longer. A few "adults" (and I use that term only to indicate someone over the age of 21) in stretching their coaching responsibilities took the enjoyment out of something this man liked and was good at... a big loss for all of us.

For the following reasons, the coaching staff at Wilson believes they are "out of line" if they argue with or verbally criticize the referee:

• Referees are adults with the same feelings as everyone else. No one likes to be criticized and humiliated... ESPECIALLY in public. 
• If the referee does make a mistake, we try to remember that we as coaches make many mistakes as well as do our wrestlers. He is doing the best job he can do. 
• A referee has a very difficult job. We often expect to make instant perfect judgments every time. It does not HELP him to do a good job when a coach is yelling at him during a match. It only adds stress. Who does well under those circumstances?
• We believe our job is to coach our athletes... NOT to be referee critics! We think we should do our job... and the referee should be left alone to do his. 
• Most times yelling at the referee is no more than a display of poor sportsmanship. When things don't go the way he would like them to, the coach often unloads on the nearest easiest target. This seems to be more a lack of self-control than anything else. 
• A coach's demeanor usually affects the behavior of the fans. We do not want to be responsible for "teaching" poor sportsmanship to those who follow our team.
• We have told our wrestlers that winning is our responsibility. "Don't expect a referee to win a match for you!" is something our wrestlers know. For us to complain and "bellyache" means that we don't believe what we say. 
• If this referee quits, who will replace him? It will undoubtedly be someone less qualified and with less experience. Is this what we want?
• Finally, we should always think, "If it was just me and the referee in my living room, how would I treat him?" Hopefully, it would be with courtesy and respect. In a gymnasium during the heat of competition, he should be treated no differently. Those are stripes on his shirt... NOT A TARGET! Should I not treat him as I would like to be treated myself? (Sound strangely familiar, doesn't it? A voice from the past perhaps.)