IWF April 2007 EWS ThoughtsN From the State Chairman by Mark Reiland I hope this newsletter finds everyone in a You can get to the online registration through our website at healthy and successful freestyle season. I www.iowawrestling.org and clicking on the schedule link. All am sure the work that you are putting in wrestlers are required to register prior to the tournaments. this spring and summer will pay big divi- It looks to again be an exciting season this spring and summer dends next winter. The folkstyle finished and I hope we can build on the Junior and Cadet National team with an impressive showing by all at the titles in Greco Roman from Fargo last summer. It was truly an USA National Folkstyle tournament. Congratulations to all the exciting year with more to come again this season. All Americans and National Champions. We are again looking for tournament hosts this spring season. If The State of Iowa will play host to the Northern Plains Junior anyone is interested in hosting a tournament, check the calendar Regional again this year. The Junior Regional will be held at and let us know. We will help you as much as we can from this Young Arena in Waterloo as will the Kids/Cadet Northern Plains end. The more opportunities we can have for the wrestlers, the Regional. These are always great tournaments and provide out- better. Please continue to check with the IWF website for updates standing competition. for the schedule. www.iowawrestling.org Important information. All wrestlers should be preregistered for Anyone interested in hosting a spring freestyle and/or Greco all the state freestyle and Greco Roman tournaments this spring. Roman tournament should contact me at [email protected]. International Wrestling Institute and Museum Has New Home The International Wrestling Institute and Museum, founded in Alan & Gloria Rice Greco-Roman Hall of Fame, the Glen Brand 1997, has officially changed locations. The facility opened its Wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa, as well as a new and improved doors on Sept. 18, 1998, in Newton, Iowa, and re-opened its gift shop, library, and video room. Fans will also be treated to a doors in Waterloo, Iowa, on Jan. 12, 2007. The new facility will magnificent glass etching of Gable upon entering into the lobby be renamed the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and area. Museum in honor of the state’s greatest sporting legend. “The etched glass with Dan Gable is one of the key features in The facility in Waterloo features 21,000 square feet, nearly the museum,” said Kevin McConnell of Kirk Gross Company, tripling the size of the Newton museum. The added space has the architect for the wrestling museum. “It’s a unique etched allowed the wrestling museum to grow and add exhibits that had piece of glass that represents what Dan Gable and the museum is been in the works for several years. all about. The artist who completed the project has etched glass Two of the areas that received significant improvements were for 30 years and he said it’s the best piece he’s ever done.” the pro and amateur wings of the wrestling museum. The ama- There are already several new projects and events scheduled with teur area has an entirely new design and is much larger, while the the move to Waterloo. The latest development is a new radio pro- George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional wing received some con- gram that will be broadcast live from the wrestling museum on siderable upgrades to their section in the museum. Wednesday nights from 6 to 7 p.m. on 1650 AM. “The new facility is tremendous,” said Mike Chapman, execu- Kyle Klingman, associate director of the wrestling museum, will tive director and founder of the wrestling museum. “When we host the program. The broadcast area for the show includes most came up here to unload I was blown away with all the work that of northeast Iowa and can be heard nationwide on the Internet at had been done. This museum has exceeded all of my expecta- www.kcnzam.com. The first show aired live on January 3, 2007. tions. This is a place is something the entire state of Iowa can Kirk Gross Company, owned and operated by Bob Buckley, a take pride in.” former West Waterloo High School wrestler, donated over In addition to the amateur and pro wrestling exhibits, the new wrestling museum will house the Dan Gable Training Center, the see MUSEUM on page 8 IWF News—April 2007 Page 1 Treasurer’s Notes by Steve Knipp, Treasurer Greetings from the went very well from my perspective. I new venue for this tournament. It turns out treasury hope that everyone who participated came that Young Arena wants to have their The treasury news away feeling good about the experience. league hockey championships that week- is the same as Thanks to all of you that helped. These end - imagine that. So we had to move it. always - we take in kinds of tournaments cannot take place Actually, McElroy is the first place I ever money - we spend without the great volunteer help we get. hosted a wrestling tournament back 25 it. Last fiscal year we spent about $6000 There were a few of my fellow Iowans years ago or so. We hosted (don't tell any- more than we took in. We probably that embarrassed me and the other mem- one) an AAU regional kids freestyle tour- shouldn't continue that. We'll have to do bers of their state by their behavior. I nament there. We planned it for six some better planning and possibly cut gotta say that they are the worst I've seen. months and had 130 competitors. Just back a little on some of the subsidies we Those people, and I know you know who took in enough extra money to pay for the make to various programs. But the plan is I am talking about, need to come to a real- social!! Lincoln McIlravey wrestled in it. not to have a bunch of money on hand. ity check. I am the tournament director The USA Wrestling Kids and Cadets The plan is to spend everything on for two more tournaments this spring that Freestyle and Greco will be at Young wrestling programs and the athletes and they may want to participate in and I will Arena (hockey will finally be over) June people that make them go. not tolerate that kind of behavior---peri- 13 - 16. This is another chance for kids to This is another big year for wrestling od!!!!!! wrestle in a big tournament in their own events in our State. We hosted the USAW The USA Wrestling Northern Plains State. I have rooms blocked for the IWF at National Folkstyle March 30 - April 1. Juniors Freestyle and Greco Roman the Ramada Inn in Waterloo. You may We added Juniors and Bantams to it this Championships will be in Waterloo at want to get reservations early. year and that added some strain to the McElroy Auditorium May 5 - 7. The tour- Information on all of these tournaments is schedule. We had @2200 competitors. It nament will also be a last chance World available through themat.com or Team Trials qual- iowawrestling.org. Registration for the ifier for Olympic Nationals and the Regional Juniors is all Membership level wrestlers. It done on-line at those websites. Or you can always attracts call me at 319-415-4091 or send me an e- some outstanding by Denna Massey, Membership Director mail at [email protected]. competitors from We need help for any and all of these tour- around the coun- naments. Table help, pairing help, help CLUB DIRECTORS: PLEASE, try who have not with weigh-ins, registration.... Don’t be PLEASE, PLEASE read the cover let- qualified yet for bashful - If you are like me - I would ter and other material in the club packet. the trials for one rather work a tournament than sit and So many of you are ignoring the letter reason or another watch. And I will treat you very well - I and other contents of the club packet. as well as some of promise. Contrary to popular belief, from year to the college guys Check out our web page year, I do make changes in the letter, and there are changes in from the region. www.iowawrestling.org the other contents, also. THANK YOU. McElroy for updates and news! Auditorium is a IOWA WRESTLING FEDERATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Title . Name. Address. City. Zip . Phone ...............Fax .....................e-mail address State Chairman . Mark Reiland. 1907 Kathlin Dr . Iowa City . 52246. 319-354-7842 [email protected] Secretary. Nina Biesen . 2454 Binford. State Center. 50247. 641-485-6462 [email protected] Treasurer. Steve Knipp. 1119 Kaplan Dr. Waterloo . 50702. 319-291-6191 ...same [email protected] Junior Director . Jason Christensen . 206 14th St, S.W. Altoona . 50009. 515-967-1414 [email protected] Kids Director . Wil Kelly. ......................................................wjkelly99@hotmail.com Cadet Director . Steve Mickelson . PO Box 442. Slater. 50244. 515-228-3059 [email protected] Fila/Open Director Jerry Reicks Jr. 2809 Robinson St . Sioux City . 51105. 712-277-3912 [email protected] Women’s Director. Tim Williams. PO Box 214. Gilbertville . 50634. 319-296-3539 [email protected] Membership Director . Denna Massey . 19273 Cobalt Lane. Council Bluffs. 51503. 712-366-0738 [email protected] Public Relations . Linda Wachal. 311 Big Jim Ct.. Dunkerton . 50626. 319-822-7748 [email protected] Regional Reps Southwest .