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Mn Usa Freco Kids State 2018; Back to Rochester
Topic Started: Aug 21 2017, 08:15 PM (22,886 Views)
Iowan@heart
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Fantastic
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Aug 31 2017, 07:34 AM
No, not Fairmont, Kellogg. 36 miles from Rochester.
Didn't realize that he had moved. Thanks for the update.
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ERIC CREESE
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Aug 31 2017, 10:22 AM
Eric, yes it is true that people who are die hard wrestling families will go to wherever the tournament is at. The problem is not every family is a die hard wrestling family and not every family has the means to travel to Rochester every year multiple times. We need to grow the sport and one of the best ways to do that is to make events affordable. A more central location for freco is essential to get the numbers heading in the right direction. It is just insane to ask people from Greenbush, Thief River Falls, Moorhead, Detroit Lakes, Frazee, Perham, and many more to travel that distance. Full day of travel, possible extra night of lodging, gas, etc. is just too much for many young families that we need to attract.
Not saying that some dont struggle but if you move it to the obscure northern places that's maybe helps a struggling family occasionally. For instance, FRECO tourney is held in Moorhead, the following year it's in Win One. You can't really have such tourneys all over the map nor can you cater to a select group. I have driven to Detroit Lakes to officiate 3 Of the last 4 years not to mention Fargo many times. Travel will be involved. You can't please everyone. And since you can't please everyone you try to please the biggest group.

But I do agree a central location would be best. St Cloud or Montecello.
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larson311
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I think us northern folks know that having it up in DL, Moorehead, or TRF isn't ideal for the rest of the state, but yes St Cloud or Monticello would sure be nice. That 1 1/2 - 2 hour less drive is huge especially with kids. I could currently drive to Bismarck where ND Youth State wrestling is held in about 4 1/2 hours. Rochester is 6 1/2 hours. St Cloud would only be about 4 hours...dang that would be nice! :)
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Northwest
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ERIC CREESE
Aug 31 2017, 12:51 PM
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Aug 31 2017, 10:22 AM
Eric, yes it is true that people who are die hard wrestling families will go to wherever the tournament is at. The problem is not every family is a die hard wrestling family and not every family has the means to travel to Rochester every year multiple times. We need to grow the sport and one of the best ways to do that is to make events affordable. A more central location for freco is essential to get the numbers heading in the right direction. It is just insane to ask people from Greenbush, Thief River Falls, Moorhead, Detroit Lakes, Frazee, Perham, and many more to travel that distance. Full day of travel, possible extra night of lodging, gas, etc. is just too much for many young families that we need to attract.
Not saying that some dont struggle but if you move it to the obscure northern places that's maybe helps a struggling family occasionally. For instance, FRECO tourney is held in Moorhead, the following year it's in Win One. You can't really have such tourneys all over the map nor can you cater to a select group. I have driven to Detroit Lakes to officiate 3 Of the last 4 years not to mention Fargo many times. Travel will be involved. You can't please everyone. And since you can't please everyone you try to please the biggest group.

But I do agree a central location would be best. St Cloud or Montecello.
No one is suggesting that a tournament be held in a northern city, that is what we are trying to avoid. People in the north and west realize they will be traveling perhaps the farthest. The population center of Mn. is very close to Monticello and the geographic center is close to Brainerd. Monticello was a good compromise and any shortcomings that venue MAY have had could have been worked out. How can you argue with a tournament being held in the city that is the closest to the population center? Not saying you are arguing that but, you go where the people are
and that is where there should be the fewest complaints.
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kgeiser
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People don't get it. I am exhausted trying to explain it. The northern teams aren't asking for much.
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ERIC CREESE
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Aug 31 2017, 02:36 PM
ERIC CREESE
Aug 31 2017, 12:51 PM
Northwest
Aug 31 2017, 10:22 AM
Eric, yes it is true that people who are die hard wrestling families will go to wherever the tournament is at. The problem is not every family is a die hard wrestling family and not every family has the means to travel to Rochester every year multiple times. We need to grow the sport and one of the best ways to do that is to make events affordable. A more central location for freco is essential to get the numbers heading in the right direction. It is just insane to ask people from Greenbush, Thief River Falls, Moorhead, Detroit Lakes, Frazee, Perham, and many more to travel that distance. Full day of travel, possible extra night of lodging, gas, etc. is just too much for many young families that we need to attract.
Not saying that some dont struggle but if you move it to the obscure northern places that's maybe helps a struggling family occasionally. For instance, FRECO tourney is held in Moorhead, the following year it's in Win One. You can't really have such tourneys all over the map nor can you cater to a select group. I have driven to Detroit Lakes to officiate 3 Of the last 4 years not to mention Fargo many times. Travel will be involved. You can't please everyone. And since you can't please everyone you try to please the biggest group.

But I do agree a central location would be best. St Cloud or Montecello.
No one is suggesting that a tournament be held in a northern city, that is what we are trying to avoid. People in the north and west realize they will be traveling perhaps the farthest. The population center of Mn. is very close to Monticello and the geographic center is close to Brainerd. Monticello was a good compromise and any shortcomings that venue MAY have had could have been worked out. How can you argue with a tournament being held in the city that is the closest to the population center? Not saying you are arguing that but, you go where the people are
and that is where there should be the fewest complaints.
Not sure where you missed what I said. I am fine with Montecello and I also tossed in St Cloud so there is competition for Montecello to not have a monopoly on the event. Heck 5 min south you could add STMA.

But that's as far north as I would ever go. North numbers do not support or justify.
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Northwest
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Good grief Eric, you are the one that stated " some obscure northern place". No one wants that, just a more level playing field as far as travel expenses. Before you suggest the "north numbers do not support or justify" you need to do some research on that one. Look up on Track where the actual participants are coming from. You will find the northern numbers are pretty good. While you are looking, see how many participants are actually from Rochester. A town of over 100,000 people and there are more participants from most northern cities than Rochester itself. Clearly, the vast majority are coming from the metro area and the area around STMA not southern Mn.
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ERIC CREESE
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Sep 1 2017, 08:27 AM
Good grief Eric, you are the one that stated " some obscure northern place". No one wants that, just a more level playing field as far as travel expenses. Before you suggest the "north numbers do not support or justify" you need to do some research on that one. Look up on Track where the actual participants are coming from. You will find the northern numbers are pretty good. While you are looking, see how many participants are actually from Rochester. A town of over 100,000 people and there are more participants from most northern cities than Rochester itself. Clearly, the vast majority are coming from the metro area and the area around STMA not southern Mn.
Since I have been officiating 5 years I think I have a pretty good grasp on who is and who is not doing FRECO. I pay more attention to FRECO than folkstyle honestly.

Like I said, I have no issues with it in Montecello. I have reffed all over the State as well as a few other states. We all make choices in life. Some chose to live in densely populated areas, others in the boondocks. Live with your choice.
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DOUG
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I still think the main focus should be if you are not happy with the location please let the board know that. Hopefully as a board they will look at all concerns and make the best decision for it's member.
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ERIC CREESE
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DOUG
Sep 1 2017, 09:11 AM
I still think the main focus should be if you are not happy with the location please let the board know that. Hopefully as a board they will look at all concerns and make the best decision for it's member.
I agree Doug. Voice your oppinion appropriately.

What I don't agree is all the feckless posts by people hiding behind screen names calling the board members corrupt and greedy. Man up and own your position.
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kgeiser
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ERIC CREESE
Sep 1 2017, 08:59 AM
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Sep 1 2017, 08:27 AM
Good grief Eric, you are the one that stated " some obscure northern place". No one wants that, just a more level playing field as far as travel expenses. Before you suggest the "north numbers do not support or justify" you need to do some research on that one. Look up on Track where the actual participants are coming from. You will find the northern numbers are pretty good. While you are looking, see how many participants are actually from Rochester. A town of over 100,000 people and there are more participants from most northern cities than Rochester itself. Clearly, the vast majority are coming from the metro area and the area around STMA not southern Mn.
Since I have been officiating 5 years I think I have a pretty good grasp on who is and who is not doing FRECO. I pay more attention to FRECO than folkstyle honestly.

Like I said, I have no issues with it in Montecello. I have reffed all over the State as well as a few other states. We all make choices in life. Some chose to live in densely populated areas, others in the boondocks. Live with your choice.
I stand by my name. I also stand by where I live and don't take kindly to you calling it the boondocks!!!!!

Monticello increased numbers, end of story. That's what should matter. You sit here bitching about where people live is ludicrous, this is a conversation about where to put state. Rochester is wrong geographically for everyone, not just me and our program. Wow, never seen such poor arguments.
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kgeiser
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Also, our sport can't handle the attitudes of some on here. I want it to grow and flourish.
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ERIC CREESE
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kgeiser
Sep 1 2017, 02:38 PM
Also, our sport can't handle the attitudes of some on here. I want it to grow and flourish.
I am guessing you did not get past 1st grade out in the boondocks because you can't read.

I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH IT BEING HELD IN MONTECELLO.

DO I NEED TO REPEAT THAT FOR YOU.

Bad mouthing posters, board members or whoever else you are throwing an temper tantrum about is not going help your crusade to "grow the sport".

If you want to grow the sport then put your money where your yapper is and get on the MNUSA Board. While you are at it we need more officials as well. Contact Tom Kusilie and sign up.

But since you are being so pius about it, I hope it never leaves Rochester.
Edited by ERIC CREESE, Sep 1 2017, 04:32 PM.
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The Rock
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ERIC CREESE
Sep 1 2017, 04:30 PM
kgeiser
Sep 1 2017, 02:38 PM
Also, our sport can't handle the attitudes of some on here. I want it to grow and flourish.
I am guessing you did not get past 1st grade out in the boondocks because you can't read.

I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH IT BEING HELD IN MONTECELLO.

DO I NEED TO REPEAT THAT FOR YOU.

Bad mouthing posters, board members or whoever else you are throwing an temper tantrum about is not going help your crusade to "grow the sport".

If you want to grow the sport then put your money where your yapper is and get on the MNUSA Board. While you are at it we need more officials as well. Contact Tom Kusilie and sign up.

But since you are being so pius about it, I hope it never leaves Rochester.
Getting kind of old!!!
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kgeiser
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Lets work on being constructive here, Mr. Creese. I can handle personal insults, I have pretty thick skin- not sure what was so offensive that you had to call out my reading level, where I live, and my yapper.

On topic, can someone list the reasons it moved back to Rochester? So far here is what I have heard through the board minutes, the forum, facebook, and twitter:
1. Not good enough internet
2. Not a big enough increase in numbers
3. Hotel rooms are better in Rochester
4. People should come no matter where it's at
5. Rochester has the people to run the tourney
6. They have a sports commission who is really good at bidding events

Other reasons?
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gopherfan149
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Seeing the actual "bids" would be fun
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Turd Bag
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Sep 1 2017, 08:34 PM
ERIC CREESE
Sep 1 2017, 04:30 PM
kgeiser
Sep 1 2017, 02:38 PM
Also, our sport can't handle the attitudes of some on here. I want it to grow and flourish.
I am guessing you did not get past 1st grade out in the boondocks because you can't read.

I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH IT BEING HELD IN MONTECELLO.

DO I NEED TO REPEAT THAT FOR YOU.

Bad mouthing posters, board members or whoever else you are throwing an temper tantrum about is not going help your crusade to "grow the sport".

If you want to grow the sport then put your money where your yapper is and get on the MNUSA Board. While you are at it we need more officials as well. Contact Tom Kusilie and sign up.

But since you are being so pius about it, I hope it never leaves Rochester.
Getting kind of old!!!
Come on. I'm waiting for some name calling. I could use a new screen name.
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bartholomaus
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first I want to say that I am not on the MN/USA board. I have, however been involved with Mn/USA wrestling since 1993 as a wrestler, coach, and now a parent. I will also admit that I live in a place where it is almost equal distance to Rochester as it is to Monticello.
A couple thoughts I have on this, and I hope they are helpful to all. First, Tom kuisle, dan chandler, bill hinchley, and the other board members are great people. They are easy to talk to and they will listen to your position if it is cordially brought to them. These people love wrestling and want what everyone else wants, and that is for wrestling to grow and become a part of people's lives. Chain of command is important in a decision such as this one. It is best to bring your thoughts and reservations directly to them. They will listen, they always have.
Second, my plug for Rochester. A mn/USA event held in Rochester is a well run machine. The volunteers that make things work will run a lights out tournament and it is clockwork. I cannot express my amazement for Carrie learn, Donita, the medical staff, the refs, table workers, and many others I am leaving out. These people are some of the best and they are comfortable in Rochester. The hotels and such are good also. Also, having such a high number of events in Rochester also allows the equipment to stay close by. This makes set up and tear down significantly easier and also creates less logistical problems.
Third, My plug for Monticello. Central location. Absolutely see the northern people's point, no question about it. Hotels have not been a problem personally but I can't speak for everyone. I have noticed an increase in northern opponents the past few years which is a welcome site as far as competition goes. And Monticello is ten minutes from the Albertville outlet shopping center place which is a great place for my wife and my credit card apparently.
In closing, I trust the board to do what is best. I respect them for having to make tough decisions. I also welcome the northern people and anyone who is relatively new to mn/USA wrestling. Welcome aboard, please stay on board. If you would like to see the tournament return to Monticello please talk directly to your liaison or the board members themselves. Good people are involved.
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momof3boys
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Bartholomaus, I am sorry but I have to disagree with you on some of your comments. I quit going to Rochester several years ago as the cost and atmosphere was more than I could handle, mostly the folkstyle state tournament. The last year we went, I had to bring along a sitter to watch the youngest as it was just not a place I felt safe to bring a 2 year old. The cost was tremendous to bring 7 people and 2 cars and 2 rooms. I have spoken with several of the people you mentioned along with other board members over the years and I did not feel my voice was important at all. This discussion has gone on for years and years and people have left this board for the same reason I just mentioned, they did not feel their voice was heard. There is a voting block on this board that has a distinct southern flavor that is very pro-Rochester. All I ever heard from people I spoke with on the board was how WRONG I was. Rochester over Monticello for freestyle and greco is crazy. I remember one strong voice on the board told me that they could not hold a tournament under any circumstances if it was not under the same roof in the same room. Now, since it is Rochester, the Civic Center is OK even thought it will be in two gyms. I do appreciate the volunteers that give so much but really, how can yo justify a location that is in the far south astern part of the state. Our last trip to Rochester with travel, time off from work, lodging, and food, had a cost of about $1,000.00. Please, make it affordable for more families.
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Iowan@heart
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momof3boys
Sep 6 2017, 01:26 PM
Bartholomaus, I am sorry but I have to disagree with you on some of your comments. I quit going to Rochester several years ago as the cost and atmosphere was more than I could handle, mostly the folkstyle state tournament. The last year we went, I had to bring along a sitter to watch the youngest as it was just not a place I felt safe to bring a 2 year old. The cost was tremendous to bring 7 people and 2 cars and 2 rooms. I have spoken with several of the people you mentioned along with other board members over the years and I did not feel my voice was important at all. This discussion has gone on for years and years and people have left this board for the same reason I just mentioned, they did not feel their voice was heard. There is a voting block on this board that has a distinct southern flavor that is very pro-Rochester. All I ever heard from people I spoke with on the board was how WRONG I was. Rochester over Monticello for freestyle and greco is crazy. I remember one strong voice on the board told me that they could not hold a tournament under any circumstances if it was not under the same roof in the same room. Now, since it is Rochester, the Civic Center is OK even thought it will be in two gyms. I do appreciate the volunteers that give so much but really, how can yo justify a location that is in the far south astern part of the state. Our last trip to Rochester with travel, time off from work, lodging, and food, had a cost of about $1,000.00. Please, make it affordable for more families.
If you treat a wrestling tournament like a family vacation then you are making personal choices that add to cost of the trip.

I know that many families want to make the bigger tournaments into family events but carpooling has always been a staple of keeping youth sports affordable. One parent and as many wrestlers as you can cram into a car or bus cuts the overall cost down significantly. Having parents, grandparents, siblings, and baby sitters along is nice, but as you have found out, it can get expensive.

As far as the response that you are saying that you've received from board members, I would suggest asking them what it would take to get the tournament moved to your preferred location in the future as opposed to calling their decisions "crazy".
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Iowan@heart
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gopherfan149
Sep 2 2017, 07:07 AM
Seeing the actual "bids" would be fun
Not as much fun as you would expect. They are pretty dry. They are a collection of proposals from hotels offering a specific block rate plus some form of subsidy on the city facility rental. Typically, this runs around $10 per room. Each hotel would also offer some percentage of free or reduced price rooms for officials and staff based on total occupancy. The sports commission or visitors bureau may also bundle in extra stuff like bus shuttles and hospitality rooms.

The net is that they then take the projected "heads in beds" and can figure out what the net cost of the event will be for USA wrestling. A commuter event (where most fans drive home or don't stay in host hotels) will end up costing organizers $1000s of dollars more to operate.

I think most supporters of the Montecello location would chose to pay more at the gate than drive to Rochester.

Footnote: "Block rate" is a hotel room rate for a specific number of rooms booked a specific length of time in advance. Block rates are always less than the "rack rate" that a person would get if they walked in off the street. For example, if a hotel's advertised price is $109/night, they might offer to provide rooms for sale for this event for $89/night to consumers and also subsidize the event facility $10 for each room used from the block.
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gopherfan149
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Iowan@heart
Sep 6 2017, 02:46 PM
momof3boys
Sep 6 2017, 01:26 PM
Bartholomaus, I am sorry but I have to disagree with you on some of your comments. I quit going to Rochester several years ago as the cost and atmosphere was more than I could handle, mostly the folkstyle state tournament. The last year we went, I had to bring along a sitter to watch the youngest as it was just not a place I felt safe to bring a 2 year old. The cost was tremendous to bring 7 people and 2 cars and 2 rooms. I have spoken with several of the people you mentioned along with other board members over the years and I did not feel my voice was important at all. This discussion has gone on for years and years and people have left this board for the same reason I just mentioned, they did not feel their voice was heard. There is a voting block on this board that has a distinct southern flavor that is very pro-Rochester. All I ever heard from people I spoke with on the board was how WRONG I was. Rochester over Monticello for freestyle and greco is crazy. I remember one strong voice on the board told me that they could not hold a tournament under any circumstances if it was not under the same roof in the same room. Now, since it is Rochester, the Civic Center is OK even thought it will be in two gyms. I do appreciate the volunteers that give so much but really, how can yo justify a location that is in the far south astern part of the state. Our last trip to Rochester with travel, time off from work, lodging, and food, had a cost of about $1,000.00. Please, make it affordable for more families.
If you treat a wrestling tournament like a family vacation then you are making personal choices that add to cost of the trip.

I know that many families want to make the bigger tournaments into family events but carpooling has always been a staple of keeping youth sports affordable. One parent and as many wrestlers as you can cram into a car or bus cuts the overall cost down significantly. Having parents, grandparents, siblings, and baby sitters along is nice, but as you have found out, it can get expensive.

As far as the response that you are saying that you've received from board members, I would suggest asking them what it would take to get the tournament moved to your preferred location in the future as opposed to calling their decisions "crazy".
So a kid makes the state tournament and it should be known that you should probably just send him/her with a carload of other wrestlers and shack up in the same hotel room as them. Expecting the family to be able to watch this exciting moment is supposed to be a "vacation" and if you can't afford it don't go, even when a much much more affordable option in Monticello exists...

How do you decide which parent gets to go with? Which sibling? Grandma can't go and she should deal with it? Grab a hotel for two, three nights or just drive there for the day....what's more logical. People defending Rochester with examples likes yours... you gotta be kidding me

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gopherfan149
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Iowan@heart
Sep 6 2017, 03:00 PM
gopherfan149
Sep 2 2017, 07:07 AM
Seeing the actual "bids" would be fun
Not as much fun as you would expect. They are pretty dry. They are a collection of proposals from hotels offering a specific block rate plus some form of subsidy on the city facility rental. Typically, this runs around $10 per room. Each hotel would also offer some percentage of free or reduced price rooms for officials and staff based on total occupancy. The sports commission or visitors bureau may also bundle in extra stuff like bus shuttles and hospitality rooms.

The net is that they then take the projected "heads in beds" and can figure out what the net cost of the event will be for USA wrestling. A commuter event (where most fans drive home or don't stay in host hotels) will end up costing organizers $1000s of dollars more to operate.

I think most supporters of the Montecello location would chose to pay more at the gate than drive to Rochester.

Footnote: "Block rate" is a hotel room rate for a specific number of rooms booked a specific length of time in advance. Block rates are always less than the "rack rate" that a person would get if they walked in off the street. For example, if a hotel's advertised price is $109/night, they might offer to provide rooms for sale for this event for $89/night to consumers and also subsidize the event facility $10 for each room used from the block.
I'd still like to see them. I would find them interesting
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momof3boys
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Iowan@heart
Sep 6 2017, 03:00 PM
gopherfan149
Sep 2 2017, 07:07 AM
Seeing the actual "bids" would be fun
Not as much fun as you would expect. They are pretty dry. They are a collection of proposals from hotels offering a specific block rate plus some form of subsidy on the city facility rental. Typically, this runs around $10 per room. Each hotel would also offer some percentage of free or reduced price rooms for officials and staff based on total occupancy. The sports commission or visitors bureau may also bundle in extra stuff like bus shuttles and hospitality rooms.

The net is that they then take the projected "heads in beds" and can figure out what the net cost of the event will be for USA wrestling. A commuter event (where most fans drive home or don't stay in host hotels) will end up costing organizers $1000s of dollars more to operate.

I think most supporters of the Montecello location would chose to pay more at the gate than drive to Rochester.

Footnote: "Block rate" is a hotel room rate for a specific number of rooms booked a specific length of time in advance. Block rates are always less than the "rack rate" that a person would get if they walked in off the street. For example, if a hotel's advertised price is $109/night, they might offer to provide rooms for sale for this event for $89/night to consumers and also subsidize the event facility $10 for each room used from the block.
Iowan, are you sure you are not a paid lobbyist for the Rochester Sports Commission? Really, a family vacation in Rochester would not be a choice I would make. How about Duluth, Lake of the Woods, or the Boundary Waters. For your information, it was Mom and Dad, our 2 wrestlers, our 2 year old, another wrestler from town, and the sitter. The other wrestler was the only other kid from our town that was going and 7 people in a sedan is not too comfortable. Perhaps you are suggesting we rented a van and further increased our expenses. Perfect location, that would be St. Cloud but in the spirit of cooperation, Monticello would be just fine. We can agree on one thing, paying a larger entrance fee at Monticello is a better option . Having to pay a $1,000.00 to go to Rochester so mn/usa can make more money on the event is not putting your membership first.
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sitoutking
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These are the types of arguments the "Rochester" people have had for years. Almost laughable!

"Don't treat it as a vacation"
"When more people have to stay in hotel rooms MNUSA makes more money"

They seem to refuse to look at reality when making the decision. They even have plenty of defenders in the metro who's argument seems to be: "Tough crap, drive"

I love the people I have met in MNUSA and Freco wrestling has been awesome. However, on the issue of where to host state tournaments they seem obtuse, and I have yet to hear a rationale argument from anyone.
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sitoutking
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I mean, Iowan- you just flippantly glossed over momof3boys well written argument and really didn't address the issues. That is what constantly happens. Another poster put the board minutes up earlier, when one of the arguments is: "Monticello didn't increase the numbers as much as we hoped" we have a problem with logic.
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Iowan@heart
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I think we're having a communication issue here. I don't personally have any stake in where the MN/USA tournament is held. I have driven all over the state and the country to volunteer at USA wrestling events for over 30 years.

I really take offense to Momof3boys' comment about being a paid lobbyist. NO ONE is getting paid on the side, under the table or anywhere else to have the event held in Rochester (other than the Rochester Amateur Sports Commission as that is their job).

I didn't directly address momof3boys's specific arguments because I don't generally disagree with them. It is more expensive to travel as a family to an event a long distance away than to one closer to home. How could anyone argue with that?

(I guess I could argue with the comment on "safety" as the two cities have similar crime rates (about 1/4th that of the twin cities), but that was probably more in reference to overnight travel than a comment on Rochester).

I've been trying to explain how the process works and what people can do to try to get the event moved to their preferred location.

So let me try to restate the key points for the argument for a more centralized location for MN/USA State Tournament:

1. Keeping the overall individual cost affordable needs to be a higher priority for MN/USA than the cost to the organization when they evaluate locations.

  • The net cost of participation for the entire pool of MN/USA wrestlers is higher when the tournament is held in Rochester as opposed to a central location.

  • MN/USA should be viewed as a family event so the total cost of a family travel and lodging needs to be taken into consideration.

2. A more centralized location is key in increasing participation in the event which is key to growing the sport.

Did I miss anything? If not, that is the argument that people need to be making with board members.

Edited by Iowan@heart, Sep 7 2017, 11:32 AM.
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Gonzaga1603
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sitoutking
Sep 7 2017, 07:50 AM
I mean, Iowan- you just flippantly glossed over momof3boys well written argument and really didn't address the issues. That is what constantly happens. Another poster put the board minutes up earlier, when one of the arguments is: "Monticello didn't increase the numbers as much as we hoped" we have a problem with logic.
I dont actually know this to be true so take it for whats it worth.

"Monticello didn't increase the numbers as much as we hoped"

This is a viable reason for not returning to Monticello if a couple other factors are true mainly if people aren't staying in hotels at night. The costs of these events are largely dependent on what rates or deals you can get form surrounding business (see: hotels). As Iowan noted, discounted rates or comped rooms for staff, officials and other personnel that make the tournament run are important factors. In order for those things to occur a portion of the hotel is going to need to be guaranteed. That appears to be done having it in Rochester as the metro/northern folks arent driving home between days. That may not be the case in Monticello. Without those things the cost would be significantly increased on the club or on the participants on the gate. People here say they would be more willing to pay more at registration than to have to travel but I bet thats not really true for the majority. People just dont rationally think about things that way. If Monticello was the magic fix that increased participation 50% these things wouldnt be as important but because the increase wasn't as much as hoped for these things are important and need to be addressed.

If you can get the overall cost to MN/USA and its members to be the same as it is in Rochester and increase participants by having it in Monticello, I have absolutely zero doubt the tournament would be in Monticello every year. As Iowan said, no one is getting rich making sure it stays in Rochester.

Just my 2 cents from a very distant outsider of kids wrestling and this tournament. Give it credence or laugh at it and tell me to piss off. Its all good.
Edited by Gonzaga1603, Sep 7 2017, 02:21 PM.
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gopherfan149
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How much worth of free hotels are we talking?

Sure would be fun to see the bids
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sitoutking
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I would hope any increase would be good, considering its a new venue in Monticello and year two was over Mother's Day it was impressive. I am struggling with the idea since it's further away and more people stay in hotels its good to have it in Rochester. Seems like an odd reason to me.
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