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What used to be called the Wrestling Summer Workshop and was held in July, at the PIAA Headquarters, is now the Wrestling Steering Committee and is held in April.

The purpose of this meeting is to allow the respective districts and the PIAA staff to review the previous season and to entertain potential changes for the upcoming season.  This committee is empowered to make suggestions to the PIAA Board of Directors for policy adoption.  Voting members of the committee include the Wrestling Chairperson from each PIAA District, the Statewide Wrestling Interpreter, and the President of the Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Association.

The meeting was called to order on Saturday, April 5, 2003 at 9:00 a.m. by PIAA Associate Director, Dr. Robert Lombardi.  At that time the committee discussed and reviewed both the team and the individual PIAA Championships.  Areas of concern to be reviewed by the PIAA Executive Staff include: seating for coaches and contestants, number of mats to be used for semi-finals, weigh-in time window, and facility lay for medical personnel.  It was the overall consensus that the new Giant Center, and the PIAA Staff treated all participants to a great tournament.

The Committee was then asked to review "The Request For Proposal" to host the 2004, 2005, and the 2006 individual and team championships.  Dr. Lombardi encouraged all committee members to offer suggestions to the Executive Director, Brad Cashman.

Several district chairpersons brought weight control concerns to the table for discussion.  Issues of concern were the problems encountered using the 50% rule for determining post-season weight classes, and the re-certification rule.  It was pointed out that the Sports Medicine Committee has endorsed adoption of these rule changes and these rules will remain for at least one more year.  Dr. Lombardi shared with the Committee that the National Federation will soon be supporting and possibly requiring a uniform body fat test to determine minimum weight classes.  This adoption could happen as early as next year.

Considerable discussion was held concerning teams entering more than one contestant per weight class.  It was noted that this is prevalent in out of state tournaments.  This procedure is not permissible.  If this was to happen in the future, a rather strict penalty would be incurred.  If this is done the offending wrestler has indeed formed a second varsity team and after that point would be ineligible to wrestle for his other high school team.

Moving on to other new business, District 8 requested that his district be moved to the SW Region in AAA.  This passed and if approved by the Board of Directors will be implemented.

Discussion then took place concerning tournament weigh-in procedure.  A decision was made to weigh contestants in by weight class instead of by team.  This procedure will apply to the entire PIAA Tournament Series.

A pass for the State Tournament for a third coach was proposed.  Although problems have occurred in the past with some coaches passing their official passes to unauthorized individuals, this proposal was met favorably and will be explored by the PIAA Staff.

Considerable discussion took place concerning the number of matches a wrestler can attain in one season under the current point system.  This problem will be examined next season.

Also discussed was a concern that some contestants at the State Tournament were not wearing school issued attire as required by the PIAA.  This concern will be addressed next tournament season.

As I close, let me remind you that this column is not the official minutes of the Steering Committee, but rather a reflection of my notes.

These meetings have been positive in the past and this year was certainly no exception.  As President of the PWCA, I am continually impressed with the positive attitude of each committee member and the PIAA Executive Staff.  Each member of the Committee has the best interest of the sport of wrestling held foremost.

And as we close another great season of Pennsylvania Wrestling, I offer my best wishes for a relaxing and enjoyable spring and summer. See ya next season and remember:

 "IT'S A GREAT DAY TO BE ALIVE"