August 21, 2010

Surprise !  I'm back.  I really want to take my shot at keeping this monologue alive.  I'm sitting quietly, the last evening of the USA Wrestling State Leaders' Summit and Board of Directors meeting in Colorado Springs.

I was so proud of Les Gutches today, I could just burst !  Les is our newest member of the USAW staff, the Director of Program Development.  He is and Olympian, a World Champion and a damned fine man.

Les has a very quiet courage... always has.  He's been working, since March, with that same demeanor, on a major shift in paradigm for our organization.  He presented the basis for this paradigm shift today, to a tough audience... our Board of Directors.

Gutches and I go back a ways.  I was part of the staff for our 1989 World Cadet Team.  Gutches  competed on our Greco team and Brandon Paulson wrestled freestyle.  Both were members of our 1996 Olympic Team... Paulson, a Silver Medalist in Greco, and Gutches, 7^th in freestyle.

What I admired so much, today, was the passion Les brings to our current, and future, state of affairs.  I believe it would make a lot of our leaders uncomfortable for me to start running my mouth about the details of this strategy, so I'll leave it at my favorite word... Passionate !

It does my old heart good to see what our program has produced.  Les Gutches is a shining example of the many young men and women who feel like they profited   from our organization and find ways to give back to it.

I was inspired, today, by the ethics and passion of Les Gutches.  He makes me determined to do my part.  You'll get your chance to do yours... don't miss it !

Ciao

Ciao

Thursday July 29, 2010

Travel Day !  Things went smoothly.  All the planes were close enough to on time.  Got a good sleep on the long flight from Heathrow to Chicago. 

I always thought it was just me that is enormously entertained by TSA security in American airports.  Then, earlier this month, I got to listen to some comedy routines on the Sirius Satellite Radio thing.  There were more than a few good shots at TSA.

There really is a noticeable difference in the security routines of different countries.  I'm not going to beat up the American's here.  I'll leave it at saying, "Some systems make sense".

So... another adventure in the books.  This was a good one.  Got to see as good a quality of wrestling as is available anywhere.  Got to spend some good time with many of the finest people alive on the planet today.  Got to see some of the most beautiful cities in Europe.  And, I get to come home to the most beautiful woman alive !  Life's good.

Ciao

Wednesday July 28, 2010

Don't know how it coulda' happened, but I lost a day in there somewhere.  I know, for sure, it's Wednesday.  My train ticket to Berlin says July 28^th.  I'm in Berlin, so it's gotta' be.  My plane ticket says Thursday, July 29^th, so I'm getting up at 4:00am to go home.

The new rules of baggage weight make airline travel a lot like wrestling: Getting down to weight is not the main thing, but it's awfully important !  Fortunately, my loved ones collect things that are reasonably light weight.  Unfortunately, every time I've given a T-shirt away, this trip, two people have given me replacements.  Ah, the wrestler's life... T-shirts !

I enjoyed my day in Prague, as I did today in Berlin.  Prague lives up to its reputation of being one of the jewels in the crown of European architecture.  Since "The Changes" of the 90's, though, Prague has capitalized to the point where you really have to look deeply to see its ancient beauty.

The History Teacher in me got a big kick out of Berlin.  I spent this afternoon strolling up and down the area of ‘Checkpoint Charlie'.  This is the place where the Berlin Wall got all its attention, from 1961-1989.

I finished up, just outside the Brandenburg Gate, sitting in a sidewalk café sipping a half liter of Hefeweisen.   Every time I enjoy a Wheat Beer, I dedicate it to three men:  Floyd Winter, Vince Zuaro and Randy Couture.  Of course, there's a story there, but you're gonna' have to wait for that one !

Tomorrow, it's back to the world.  I know there's weather in Chicago today, thanks to MSNBC.  I hope it clears.  I am scheduled for a seven hour lay-over at O'Hare anyway.  Don't want to wait another night to get home to my precious Eva !

I have to make some room (quite a bit, actually) for the beginning of school.  We start early in New Mexico.  But, I hope to continue grinding on a 21^st Century view of the Seven Basic Skills of Wrestling, as well as on the psychological implications of internet technology.

If I can manage time well, I will continue this blog through August.  Because our State Leaders Summit is back in Colorado Springs this year, I'll get to spend some time in the room during the last stages of Senior World Team Camps. 

I look forward to thinking about wrestling, and about life, and sharing it.  If you're not into it, a single push of a key will make me go away (one psychological implication of technology !).  I appreciate you playing along and I appreciate wrestling for giving me the opportunity.

Ciao  

Sunday July 25,2010

As I suspected, my internet connection DID run out before I could get this posted.  So, this is coming to you from somewhere down the road.  There's a story to be worked on in that statement.

First, wrestling.  You know by now that our freestyle men brought home another bronze medal.  Chris Perry looked good throughout the tournament.  I thought all our guys wrestled well, today.  Russia dominated, but not as totally as Saturday.

If this relates back to my description of our early Coach Education goals, that'll be a good thing.  Here's my point: We've got to get past this attitude we're bringing to this level of event.  It appears like what I would call a "Sense of Entitlement".  After a few years discussing this at matside, I'm positive I'm not the only one seeing it.

I'll tell you, up front, I don't claim to have the magic wand.  I'm not even sure how  and when this thing developed.  I know, simply, that the wrestling world changed along a parallel course with the political and economic world over the last two decades.

When the Soviet Union first split, we enjoyed a period of prosperity, on the mat and off.  Now, all of the Republics formed by the split are up and running.  They are maturing, quickly and well. 

I'm not the guy to comment, intelligently, on the impact this has had on global economic flow.  There's a chance I'm not the guy to comment on the impact on the flow of World and Olympic Wrestling medals.  But, I am convinced that I see the latter.

I can't tell if our solution lies in being more innovative, technically, or in a return to some kind of ‘good old days' work ethic.  I do know the problem is complex and the solution might be, as well.

But... it might not be.  I pay attention to the performance of the Russian athletes and those of the former Republics.  I can't see their preparation, but it can't be Rocket Science.  Their kids, male and female, junior and senior, put their singlet on one leg at a time, just like we do.

I'm going to continue to look for simplicity in this.  You look, too.  If we can write a successful recipe, we'll all be heroes.

Ciao

Monday July 26, 2010

Yesterday, I promised you a travel story, then wandered off (pun intended) into solving wrestling's problems.  I'll get back to the story.

As I told you on day one of this adventure, my flight from the U.S. ended in Frankfurt.  On the way home, I fly out of Berlin.  This was intentional, as was the trip inside it.

My inside trip started in Frankfurt, went to Baku for the Golden Grand Prix, then ended in Budapest.  Now, I have until Thursday to get to Berlin.

Today, while our other guys are flying back to the states, I will go to the train station and end up in Bratislava, Slovakia.  Tuesday morning I do the same thing and end up in Prague, Czech Republic.  Wednesday morning's train takes me to Berlin where I will catch my flight on Thursday.

You are certainly not the first to think what you're thinking and ask what you're asking.  I am referring to this trip as ‘Rusty's Last Walk-About'.

Over the years, I have taught myself never to settle for mediocrity in adventure.  I'm a poor school teacher, but wrestling lets me live rich.   These are three cities and three countries I have never seen.  I've always heard great things about each one.  My clock is ticking.  I'm going to go see for myself.

My first overseas travel was the '88 games in Seoul.  At that time, wrestling was split and had a three day break between Greco and freestyle.  I took the train from Seoul to Pusan for a soccer match.  Best decision I ever made.  I was hooked!

Since then, it is rare for me to go somewhere and ‘Only' see wrestling.  Most of the side trips are short excursions.  In 1995, though, I had what Sterling calls, the "Big Walk-About", six countries in 45 days, backpack and all !

After 2002, it got slightly more taxing.  That's when I blew my right hip out.  I still made some good adventures, but I spent six years crippled up, pretty bad.

I got my new hip in June of 2008, refereed in Fargo 23 days later, and used a cane to get around Beijing three weeks after that.   I thought, with only five years left until FILA requires that I retire from officiating, I'd better get some mileage out of this hip. 

So, here I am.  Sterling always chuckles when I say this, but I can't help it.  "I've been a lot of places and this here's one of ‘em."  Tomorrow, I'll tell you my impressions of Bratislava.

Ciao

Tuesday July 27, 2010

Things went smoothly enough, getting out of Budapest and into Bratislava.  I was able to store my big roller bag at the train station, so I didn't have to drag it through town.  I was luck a guy told me I was on the wrong trolley, hopped off and was only a 12 minute walk from Hotel Kiev... NOT a Five Star establishment, but... hey !

I wandered around town all afternoon, in the rain.  Bratislava has a rich history as part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.  I saw some really cool architecture, both ancient and modern, then walked the bank of the Danube.  This ‘Mother of All Rivers' in Europe has always fascinated me.

In the evening, I called up my friend and fellow official, Miroslav.  Miro had just finished his first day back to work after having been with us in Budapest.  He picked me up at the hotel, drove me around to the parts of Bratislava I couldn't walk to and took me to dinner.

We had a traditional Slovakian meal of Goat Cheese and Dumplings.  It was really tasty !  We walked off the fullness, visiting their Veterans' Memorial and the ancient Castle Devin.  Finally, we visited the Pilsner Urquell brewery outlet for a night cap.

Both of us are still going through decompression from the intensity of last week's tournament.  That's one of the less tangible perks of my Walk-About strategy.  Going straight home, my loved ones, just like everyone's, have to deal with the withdrawal we all go through after one of these big tournaments. 

It can't be much fun being around any of us, official, athlete, coach, those first few days.  I'll still go through a couple of quiet days when I get home, but Eva will get a much healthier version of me after I‘ve had some down time here.  

The rain is supposed to clear tonight.  Tomorrow I have an early train to Prague.

Ciao

Saturday July 24, 2010

The wrestling part of our day was pretty rough for the Americans.  Nick Roberts was pulled back into the tournament and had a shot at the bronze.  He ended up fifth.  Our other three were one and done.  We'll get up tomorrow and give it another shot.

The morning gave us a chance to see the historic sites of Budapest.  The organizers of the event have really done a great job planning outings for us.  We got a two hour tour and hit a couple of the highlights.  This is really s beautiful city.

I have always heard the two most beautiful cities of Europe are Budapest and Prague.  I've never seen Prague, but I'm going there Tuesday.  I'm anxious to compare.

I leave here Monday morning, just like everyone else.  The difference is, I go to the train station and they go to the airport.  I leave Budapest around 9:00am and arrive in Bratislava, Slovakia around noon.

Tuesday morning I go Bratislava to Prague, Czech Republic.  Wednesday morning I go Prague to Berlin.  Thursday morning I leave Berlin, go through London and Chicago, into Albuquerque.  I keep referring to this as my "last walkabout".  Somewhere along the way, I'll try to explain that.

I can't tell exactly when my seven days worth of internet connection will run out.  I'm hoping for Monday morning, but may be disappointed.  If it runs out tomorrow night, this will be the last time I can transmit until at least Bratislava. 

I'll keep you posted.  For tomorrow's results, go to Gary's articles.

Ciao

Friday July 23, 2010

It was a great day.  Thanks to Victoria Anthony, we got to hear our Anthem tonight.  Victoria's now a two timer and there aren't many of those!

Not positive, but I think the last one was Ali Bernard and I got to Coach her during her first one in Istanbul.  I was fortunate enough to watch Victoria win her first one in Ankara.

In the early part of this trip, I talked a lot about the blog as a coaching tool.  Ali Bernard is a pretty strong example, supporting my hypothesis.  Ali is an information junkie and worries a lot.  If you want some cheap entertainment, you gotta' watch Ali's mom worry.

Using technology for communication really can help athletes, parents, club coaches who find themselves in that "worried" state.  By planting seeds early, the coaches of any particular tour of team can create more "buy in".  Sharing individual and team goals and focus points early, kind of lets the people most affected come to the conclusion that "it's their own idea".  People who feel ownership in the process usually perform at higher levels of precision and intensity.

OK... enough precision and intensity, for now.  It's bed time and we have to get up early tomorrow.  Our hosts are taking us on a sightseeing tour.

Ciao

Thursday July 22, 2010

Gary had his first article on the website before we could even get across the street to the hotel.  That's why he makes the big bucks !  So if you read the headlines, you'll find that we put another American on the podium.  Amy Whitbeck turned it up a notch in the second and third periods and scored with three seconds to go.

Amy showed what Coach Steiner is referring to as a "Sense of Urgency".  She never gave up her focus or composure, but battled like the medal depended on it.  I hope our others, who came up short, were paying attention.

I spent an hour, this morning, with another of those Dear Friends that have become part of my life.  Agi Rabakozi and her family kind of adopted me in 2001.  I was in their home town, Szekesfehervar (quick... pronounce that !) competing in the Veterans' World Championship of Greco. 

Agi was a university student at the time and volunteered as an English translator.  We have stayed in contact over the last nine years.  Agi was married to Oliver in 2006 and I got to visit here and meet him in 2007.

Since then Agi has become a Mom to Oliver Jr, 16 months, and is expecting Lujisa in early September.  This is just one of those typical families that you meet in the wrestling world... damned good people.

So, I got to be Grandpa' on the road for an hour this morning.  Little Oliver is very active and very clever.  Many of the Greco delegations were in the lobby for busses to the airport.  The little one had a great time inspecting all the guys and their baggage.  So many cool toys and hiding places !

I'm not going to dwell on any so-called ‘down-side'.  Rather, I will simply say that there is always balance... in wrestling... in life.  My friend... Our Friend, Cliff Buerke died last night.  Cliffy had taken a fall recently and discovered some cancer hiding inside him. 

Cliffy was a gentle human who knew how to love and be loved.  I am one of thousands who are smiling at memories of Cliffy's life tonight.

Ciao

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Ellis Coleman made us all look good today!  Winning a bronze medal at 66kg, this guy did it the right way.  I overheard President Martinetti tell Rich Bender, "I think your guy is crazy, but I like it".

I agree 100%.  This kid is fun to watch !  All our Greco guys went after it.  I saw some sincere respect for our development in the Greco world shown here... little things, but important ones.

We used to lose a lot of the "close" calls.  Now, it's really about 50-50.  I get to eaves drop on some conversations with officials who "hope" the Americans do well.  Think that through, with a historical view.  Remember how revered Dave Schultz was, across the planet?  Remember the success our freestyle team found in Barcelona?  I think Garrett Lowney, Joe Warren, Adam Wheeler... not to mention Rulon... have earned us the respect we now have in Greco.

Our Hungarian hosts took us on two cultural adventures today.  We went downtown to a pretty upscale mall this morning.  Most shopped for gifts, but I'm kind of saving that for next week.  I'll tell you more as we get closer to Sunday.

Tonight we all went to a restaurant called Sir Lancelot.  We had the medieval meal that you eat with your hands... and several types of "Grog".  There was a pretty good show along with the meal.  The organization of the social part of this championship is something we should study, as Americans.  Very classy !

Our first four girls are up tomorrow.  Keep an eye on Gary's column for details and results.  Watch what Craig and Jason are running for Fargo.  It's a busy time to be an American wrestling fan.

Before I close, I have to say Happy Birthday to my friend Momir Petkovich.

Ciao    

Tuesday July 20, 2010

Day One of Competition is in the bag.  It was not a great day for our American kids, but Max Nowry did wrestle for Bronze.   Be sure to check Gary's articles for complete results and tomorrow's draws.

Our kids have great hearts, no doubt.  Unfortunately, it's just so obvious that we are starved in the Greco world.

The Juniors from Europe and Asia are so well tempered by this time of the season, very little shakes them or gets ‘em out of position.  Our guys are just now completing any kind of transition from the folkstyle season to Greco.  They're just now getting into a rhythm.

The exception is always our USOEC program, but most of those guys compete up one level.  Knowing that I'm preaching to the choir... I just don't get why our High School and University coaches don't emphasize the skills that are natural overlaps from Greco to folkstyle technique.

Think about what I just said.  Maybe that wasn't true under the Greco rules of the 90's.  But, considering today's rules... really... Greco technique and tactic is much more similar to a complete folkstyle match than freestyle is.

OK, sermon's over.  Something new in the schedule this year is that we don't start , each day until 1:00pm.  We wrestle straight through the finals in a single, long session.

Not everyone likes it, but I do.  In past years, many events have had housing very far from the competition venue.  The drain of riding busses three hours every day was much worse than a long session.

In Budapest, we are a three minute walk from the venue.  Still, I think the single session is healthier for athletes, coaches, officials and spectators.

Speaking of Marathon Sessions... I know my colleagues are working some long days in Fargo.  Focus on the positive.  You're getting to be part of the greatest age group event on the planet, today!

Ciao  

Monday July 19, 2010

We had our officials' clinic this morning.  No big shakes.  This year, most of the clinic emphasis has been on three issues: administering the ‘clinch' in both styles; defining ‘fleeing the mat' or ‘fleeing the hold'; and protocol for the video challenge.

There are around 80 officials here, which will put 20 on each mat.  That means you don't many chances to be seen.  Some view that as a good thing, because you don't have as many chances to screw up.  I am not of that mind set, which I'm sure does not surprise you.

Last night, the organizers took us out in the country for dinner.  We were at the estate of a family called the Lazar Brothe

rs.  They are known for producing World Champion Show Horses.  Nice place!

The crowd included the members of the FILA Bureau, who are here for the prelude meetings of their upcoming Congress in Moscow.  All of the officials and team leaders were invited.  Many of the local people who make up the Organizing Committee brought the group to a total of about 200.

After drinking a toast with the Hungarian native drink, called Palinka, we had a large hours dourves kind of plate out on a huge patio.  Most of us thought this was dinner.  We were wrong!

We had champagne and moved down to the arena for the show.  We saw ‘four in hand' carriages, Medieval warrior riding, ox-drawn carts and a variety of, what I would call, trick riding.  Much different that what we think of as a ‘horse show', in the states, this was a pleasant cultural perspective.

Moving back to the patio, we found out we were in for the real dinner.  Wow!  With several types of meats and side dishes, this was a real feast.  At the advice of some of my Hungarian friends, I focused on the traditional Goulash.  It was wonderful.

We got back to the hotel and pulled up the draws for the first four Greco weights today.  If you haven't already, follow Gary, Jason, Craig, in their front page articles.  They will give you links to updated brackets.  I will give my focus to more of a ‘color commentary'.

OK, then.  I'm off to borrow Jerry's travel iron and tackle a pile of light blue shirts.  The arena here is huge, but not air-conditioned.  So, we'll go through some shirts.  We start tomorrow at 1:00.

PS... Those draws look favorable for our American four.  This is one of the most talented groups of Greco Juniors we've produced in a while.  Keep high hopes... or maybe I should stay with Fraser's line... "Expect to win with relentless intensity".

Ciao