Foley's Friday Mailbag

Proposal sent back to NCAA wrestling committee

T.R. Foley

9/13/2012
T.R. Foley, InterMat Senior Writer
foley@intermatwrestle.com, Twitter: @trfoley

The debate is over. After two days of meetings, the NCAA has decided to send a proposal that would have changed the way wrestling crowns its team champion, back to the sport's committee.

It has been a wild few weeks for wrestling fans and coaches. What in early August was a side note at the NWCA's national convention quickly became a news story with constant changes to vital components of the proposal and full-scale resistance from some of the most high-profile coaches in the sport. There were accusations of intentional deception and heated discussions about what a change in format would mean for the long term economic viability of the sport at the national level.

The NWCA, an organization that has championed the cause, became a lightning rod for controversy. Members' correspondence with the NCAA were unintentionally leaked revealing what many coaches thought was proof that they were trying to mislead the public through manipulations of the truth. Statements made by NWCA executive director Mike Moyer and NWCA president Rob Koll last Thursday night signaled that the NWCA was going to pull support. Then on Friday night support was reinstated, contingent on the results of an online survey of coaches. That vote came back in support of the proposal by a single vote.

On the other side of the argument was Penn State head wrestling coach Cael Sanderson who used the power of social media to disseminate a very anti-duals agenda. The NWCA and Coach Sanderson have always had a tepid relationship, but the duals proposal seemed to turn that standing tolerance into a bucket on ice.

Northwestern University will be hosting a coaches convention in late October to discuss the proposal along with many other agenda items. The proposal, or any adaptation of the proposal, won't be up for another vote until next summer.

Comments

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AFurnas (1) about 8 months ago
At the October coaches meeting, is it possible that the ultimate decision comes down to 30-second top-bottom between Cael Sanderson, for the non-supporter, and the top representative amongst the supporters??
Beicher (1) about 8 months ago
So what did the NCAA intend by sending back the proposal to the sport's committee? Are they are rejecting it, or want it reworked, or thought over some more?

P.S. I love AFurnas's suggestion!
Mont (1) about 8 months ago
Sanderson has not earned the right to be a spokesperson for national coaches. He has not earned the respect and displayed the integrity of someone like Koll or Robinson. The fans more than a select group of egotistic coaches should have their say as well. I want to see the proposal implemented. The NWCA can keep award a team champion at the Individual Championships if they desire.
spencerszewczyk (1) about 8 months ago
sanderson isn't the only high profile coach that's against this proposal. tom brands is also adamantly against it, as are 36 other D1 coaches. and it's ironic that you mention integrity as i'm sure the only reason koll is interested in pushing the national duals through is because as the president of the nwca, he will have his palm greased with some kind of lucrative deal with espn.
hawkeeman174 (1) about 8 months ago
Don't give Sanderson all the credit for shuting down the proposal... The sneaky actions by Koll and the rest of the "Leadership" are to blame.