Consider the following quote:

"Consider this possibility: after all these months, people start to think it's time for the recession to end. The very thought begins to renew confidence, and some people start spending again - in turn, generating visible signs of recovery. This may seem absurd, and is rarely mentioned... but economic theorists have long been fascinated by such a possibility."

-What if a Recovery Is All in Your Head?, by Robert J. Shiller, Commentary, NY Times: Beyond fiscal stimulus and government bailouts, the economic recovery that appears under way may be based on little more than self-fulfilling prophecy.

We're all familiar with the concept of the self-fulfilling prophecy, where beliefs and attitudes bring about results based on those beliefs, attitudes, expectations, etc. Coaches encourage athletes to "expect to win". The expectation to win can bring about the behavior that results in a positive outcome - the extra effort is given, priorites are established, the will to continue despite outward appearances is exercised - are all derived from the expectation to win. As you can see from the quote above, this extends to group behavior as well as individuals. Indeed, sober-minded academic types like economists speculate that economies are driven by expectations. In fact, the billions of dollars invested in advertising and marketing attests to the fact that the perceptions and attitudes of specific groups can be influenced to bring about changes in group behavior. Just watch the Superbowl commercials this weekend, and consider the investment companies will make to superimpose on your brain the images they want you to remember.

In this context we wrestlers, wrestling coaches, and fans are perhaps our own worst enemy. The demise of wrestling is predicted, and evidence is supplied for it, by the very people who have experienced the powerful impact of wrestling and its ability to inspire passion and devotion. No need to cite the life changing stories, or the heroic efforts of wrestlers - we're all familiar with them. But we don't follow our old coach's admonition to "expect to win". As a result, we don't inspire confidence in administraors, potential sponsors, or others who can help propel wrestling forward in terms of increased participation, economic impact, and media access. Likewise, we don't inspire our fellow citizens of 'wrestling nation' to make the extra effort, to see past the current financial environment, or to picture wrestling as a thriving sport in every regard. We're victims of our self-prophecy. We should expect to win, however.

First of all, wherever people have come together and formed civilized groups, wrestling has been part of the culture. (Check out this story from The SI Vault and see current and historical examples of wrestling culture: A Man of the Ash ). This is true today. Wrestling virtually hides in plain site. It's everywhere. Ask any mother with two sons - wrestling happens. Wrestling has not only existed through history, and in every civiliaztion, but it has been immortalized in religion, mythology, art, literature, and scientific history. Leaders, statesmen, and heroes from earliest times have been wrestlers. No sport has a history as rich and historic as wrestling, and it continues today. Despite the loss of college programs over the last few decades, wrestling is growing geographically. High school and youth wrestling has devoted followers in the south and other 'non-traditional' wrestling areas. More wrestling is on television and other media outlets today than ever. Our problem is not the importance or popularity inherent in wrestling, it is us.

We, as a community, don't expect to win. We are increasingly expecting defeat, i.e. the loss of programs and lack of opportunity for athletes to compete. In addition, we are not being creative in terms of marketing or presentation (rules, competition formats,'production values' etc.). We wring our hands while MMA has risen from obscurity to a powerful ecomic and demographic force, with an international following. We must face the fact that we are the stewards of the greatest athletic pursuit in history, and we're stumbling because we don't expect to win. Therefore, we don't seek success with total abandonment and confidence, the way Iowa seeks it's next national title.

It's time to put our hands to the plow with committment, creativity, and the willingness to change. We can do this with the knowledge that we will succeed, because our history demonstrates this truth. It's time to expect to win.