West Virginia Wrestling

WEST VIRGINIA MAT THOUGHTS

by Dr. Bill Welker

... on Wrestling and the Team Manager

The successful operation of a wrestling program does not begin when the athletes jog through the gym doors to compete. No, it goes much further than that.

Today's wrestling coach is burdened with many responsibilities, from assembling a well- balanced team to organizing supportive, money-making projects. This load is lightened considerably by the presence of the mentor's "silent partner" -- the team manager.

The team manager receives neither press clippings nor athletic laurels, but he's as vital to a wrestling program as the ignition key is to a car. The manager's duties include distributing equipment to squad members, cleaning the mats, keeping score at dual meets and tournaments, seeing to it that the coach is aware of any internal problems which may arise, and I could go on and on. Before, during, and after each contest, his work is never done. Like the coach, the manager is the first one there and the last to leave.

Now it is with the utmost sincerity that I take this opportunity to publicly applaud these fine young men, throughout our grand Ohio Valley, for a job superbly and nobly executed.


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Updated June 17, 1997