MHSAA/MWA Annual Report- Conference call Presented by: The MWA Executive Board

May 13th, 2020 9:00am Zoom meeting Notes take by: Bubba Gritter

Officers Invited: President, Casey Randolph; Vice President, RJ Boudro; Secretary, Bubba Gritter; Membership Chair, Chris Dunham, Member at Large, Todd Cheney, and Treasurer, Doug Baird Regional Reps Invited: Jaime Smith, North; Brad Anderson, West; Brian Martel, Central; Bill Polk, Metro; Matt Bishop, Tri-Cities; Greg Mayer, East MHSAA staff: Dan Hutchinson Others on call: Mitch Hancock and Mark Holdren *bold names were in attendance Meeting called to order 9:00am Purpose of the Meeting: Provide an opportunity for the MHSAA Wrestling Director, Dan Hutchinson, to review and discuss with the MWA Executive Board the 2020 MWA Annual Report as it relates to the role of the MHSAA. Dan Hutchinson- How change is made at MHSAA- Individuals or associations can send proposals for consideration to the January Wrestling Committee meeting (possible December change for next year). If the Wrestling Committee approves the proposal it moves on for consideration at Representative Council level. Proposals that are not approved by the Wrestling Committee do not move on to the Representative Council for consideration. Proposals may also go to an Athletic Director committee for additional feedback prior to going to the Representative Council. A proposal will only get enacted the next school year if it is approved by the Representative Council. Dan has mentioned that proposals have the best chance of being enacted if they are fully supported by the association. As an example he used the proposals submitted by the Tennis Association. He mentioned that the tennis association had 4 proposals that were approved to move on to the Representative Council. The one that was approved by the Representative Council also had the highest level of support from the association to the Tennis Committee as well as having the highest level of support from the Tennis Committee to the Representative Council. He noted that the tennis committee had 100% support going into the Tennis Committee. The tennis association is a representative board of its members and votes on issues based on input from its membership. Therefore, the vote from the tennis association board was 26 for and 0 against the proposal. Dan suggested that any MWA proposals being sent to the Wrestling Committee for consideration show full support by the membership. A majority of support is not enough to get a proposal through the process. INTRODUCTION & OVERVIEW To the honorable members of our Michigan Wrestling Association and to those who serve the sport of wrestling at the Michigan High School Athletic Association, our Executive Board and Regional Directors do hereby submit this Annual Report of 2019-2020. Included in this document is a summary of the MWA and Michigan High School Wrestling achievements and activities. Also, embedded in this document are recommendations for a range of topics that are pertinent to the overall continued success of Wrestling in the state of Michigan. This report serves as a

guiding document for our direction as an organization and our desire to continue refining the experiences of our student-athletes, coaches, officials, and fans. Moreover, it is the hope of the Board and the Regional Directors, that this document will provide our members with a final look at the majority of sentiments in our organization and foster discussion and action, by and with the Michigan High School Athletic Association. Dan approved. ACHIEVEMENTS Over the past calendar year there has been a plethora of achievements enjoyed by the Michigan Wrestling community. From successful Fall Clinics to the expansion of Girls Wrestling opportunities and a continued rise in the elite level of wrestling to increased membership and strengthened bonds of collaboration with the MHSAA, there is much to be celebrated. The MWA Executive Board is proud of the record of continued growth and development of our coaches and the subsequent effect it will have on the broader wrestling community. Fall Clinic 2019. The 2019 MWA Fall Clinic featured an array of opportunities for coaches to gather, enrich professionally, and learn about important updates for the upcoming season. Thanks to our 2019 Fall Clinic Coordinator Mitch Hancock, the MWA Board, and all of the clinicians for facilitating an excellent experience. The November 7-9th weekend of enrichment included the NWCA Leadership Academy seminar, a Question and Answer session with University of Michigan Assistant Coach David Bolyard, the University of Michigan versus University of North Carolina dual meet, a well-attended Friday Night Coaches Social, Coach of the Year Clinics, and our featured clinicians University of Michigan Head Coach Sean Bormet as well as assistants Kellen Russell and Josh Churella. Along with this compelling slate of activities, the clinic also featured discussions with the MHSAA leadership, the MHSAA Rules Meeting, a tutorial on efficient practice drills with Mitch Hancock, Wrestling Mindset presentations, and the MWA General Membership Meeting and election. The Fall Clinic wrapped up with our Hall of Fame banquet that celebrated the induction of Dan Coon (Fowlerville), Don Pluta (Holly) and Dave Winger (Lincoln Park) with recognitions of Coaches of the Year as well as our annual community awards and lifetime service awards. In the last several years the Fall Clinic has become a “must attend” event for coaches that are seeking to improve, learn, and collaborate. The strength of our membership can be seen by the annual increase in attendance and the fact that the 2019 Fall Clinic was the most well-attended in recent memory. Dan approved Girls Wrestling 2019-2020. Girls Wrestling in Michigan has grown commensurate with the incredible nation-wide movement supporting Girls Wrestling. This year with the leadership of MWA President Casey Randolph and the Adrian College Girls and Boys Wrestling teams, the MWA co-hosted the Girls Individual State Championship for the second year in a row. There was an increase in geographic diversity of participating teams, the overall number of participating teams, individual participants, the size of the weight class brackets, and the general fan attendance of the early rounds and the finals. Also, for the first time a Girls Team State Champion was crowned using the individual tournament scoring criteria. The MWA has also added the title of “Miss Wrestler” of Michigan to its list of post-season awards, this year going to 2x Girls State Champion Rayana Sahugan of Sparta High School. During the season, Michigan Grappler published girls weight class rankings as well, highlighting the increasing depth in the ranks of Girls Wrestling in Michigan. Girls Wrestling in Michigan captured considerable media attention from local newspapers, online publications, Michigan Grappler, and the most recently in the nation-wide wrestling publication W.I.N. Magazine. With continued collaboration, increased promotion and exposure, and deeper investments we hope to continue to grow the ranks of girls wrestlers and high school programs that facilitate girls participants and teams.

Dan Hutchinson - Observation: The girls state team championship was awarded using an individual tournament result which is a different format than the team tournament process that MHSAA uses to recognize a divisional wrestling state championship. Elite Wrestling Continues 2019-2020. Wrestling in Michigan reached new heights during the 2019-2020 season. At one point, five different teams were ranked in the Top 50 in the nation - Detroit Catholic Central (Detroit Catholic Central posting as high as #4 in the nation), Davison, Brighton, Dundee, and Lowell. The state of Michigan wrestling is strengthened by the deep well of invested coaches, officials, communities, and hard-working wrestlers. Once again team state championship matches fostered some of the most exciting wrestling action of the year crowning Detroit Catholic Central, Lowell, Dundee, and Clinton as our division champions. The individual state tournament featured incredibly accomplished student athletes including newly minted four time state champions Austin Boone of Lowell and Skylar Crespo of Mendon. It is also well to recognize that our MWA Membership values high academic standards which is evident in the increase in schools represented in the Academic All State qualification. The top schools in each division - Rochester Stoney Creek, Whitehall, Fremont, and Clinton - collectively sported a GPA above 3.6, a feat that confirms the commitment to not only elite wrestling but strong academics. The MWA is also immensely proud of our wrestlers that go on to excel at the collegiate level. Michigan natives represented the state in fine fashion in 2019-2020 having 17 NCAA Division I Qualifiers, five NCAA Division II, and six III Qualifiers, and a strong contingent of participants at the NAIA, NJCAA, and NCWA National Tournaments. Wrestling in Michigan, thanks in large part to the committed wrestlers, coaches, administrators, parents, and youth wrestling infrastructure, is as accomplished as it has ever been and is growing in national prominence. Dan Hutchinson - Observation: The MWA should be aware of a grassroots understanding of the sport of wrestling. There may be some coaches that may be concerned that the idea of “elite” does not include them as a part of the whole. Dan Hutchinson - would make available as a part of the rules meeting a slide at the end of the presentation where a coach or program can contact a MWA person as a resource. (mentor) Brad Anderson- possible add some info growing the sport. Gratitude. The Michigan Wrestling Association is thankful for its committed - and quickly growing - ranks of membership coaches. Out of many, we are one very robust organization that is working for the continued improvement of our sport and the experience of our statewide student athletes. The bedrock of our sport is in the continuation and generational appreciation of the values that wrestling instills. We also acknowledge and thank the efforts of the Michigan High School Athletic Association and Wrestling Director Dan Hutcheson and their commitment to wrestling. The MWA considers the MHSAA an integral partner in the sustainability and growth of our sport. We would also like to extend our gratitude to our statewide media partner Michigan Grappler who continues to provide high quality content and consistent recognition to our excellent wrestlers, coaches, teams, and stories statewide. And again, to our fellow wrestling confederates, the officials we extend to you our sincere respect and admiration for your commitment and tireless devotion to wrestling. Dan Hutchinson - Observation: The average age of a wrestling official is late 50’s and many that leave officiating do so because of their negative interactions with coaches, fans, wrestlers, etc. While certificates and recognitions are nice the key to keeping officials and growing the numbers is what happens throughout the season. This needs to be a collaborative effort for everyone involved to better the working conditions for officials. Officials approved and pushed face to face interactions with officials.

Bringing recognition through the banquet to our officials Dan Hutchinson - FYI: Representative Council just passed if a coach is ejected from an event they will have to do an online course at a cost, same to student athlete, athletes course is free. RECOMMENDATIONS The following recommendations are based on feedback from the MWA Spring regional meetings and data collected through our MWA Spring Coaches Survey. The goal of the report recommendations is to reflect the majority of opinions expressed through these meetings and the survey. After thorough examination, the Executive Board and the Regional Representation have concluded that there are three main areas that we consider the highest priority to our membership. Our recommendations are submitted below for your consideration. The Individual State Tournament The MWA Membership certainly appreciates the exhaustive efforts of the MHSAA to facilitate a memorable and cogent state individual wrestling championship. We appreciate the changes made over the last few years in response to recommendations from the MWA. The majority of membership coaches are in favor of the two-day format as well one weigh-in and it is our belief that the awards ceremony taking place after the finals has streamlined the experience for fans and families. After our MWA Spring Meetings as well as the Spring Survey it is within our interest to suggest that a majority of our membership and our Executive Board would favor a move from Ford Field and from the city of Detroit altogether. We know the inherent difficulties presented by leaving Ford Field and the ramifications that such a notion would mean for all divisions and all sessions being executed at one venue. However, we humbly recommend, according to the majority of our surveyed membership, that a two-venue option be considered. In this scenario two sites in close proximity would host the early rounds of the tournament and eventually one site would facilitate the semifinals, medal matches, and championship finals. This would allow for the intimate wrestler, coach, and fan experience that is so strongly felt at the Team State Finals. Although it would be ideal for the aforementioned rounds to “come together” the preference - according to our respondents - is to leave Ford Field even if that meant separate tournaments altogether. Additionally, the MWA believes in the importance of well-balanced nutrition and its availability during the duration of the tournament. The proximity to affordable and nutritious food and beverages is an integral aspect to the overall performance of our student athletes. The location and restrictions of Ford Field make such accommodations challenging for wrestlers, coaches, and families. There is also membership concern about affordable food and hotel accommodations in downtown Detroit. And now as we navigate the after effects of the statewide COVID-19 shutdown it will be increasingly important to be sensitive to the cost and logistics for membership schools. There is a genuine desire amongst the majority of membership for changes to the pinnacle event of our season. Dan Hutchinson - Observations:

- When writing the report be careful and conscious of other sports that didn’t have finals this year. - Cost on average is only $50 higher than a three -day event at the palace. - Discussed all options that he has looked into and logistics of all arenas.

Mark Holdren - spoke about being locked in the area of Detroit, food options are far away. Chris Dunham

- Could the MWA get 3-5 members that would meet with MHSAA to help with finals set up/logistics. -Dan agreed to holding these meetings with a group

- Is there an ability to negotiate some costs with help of MWA at ford field Communication with Officials One area where there has been considerable growth is in regards to the MWA membership communication with officials. Over the last three years we have had increased participation and collaboration with officials at the Fall and

Spring Meetings. It was also valuable to have Sam Davis and the MHSAA at the Fall Clinic to provide clarifications and field a myriad of coaches questions and concerns. It is the desire of the MWA Executive Board and General Membership to continue to improve the dialogue and to perhaps formalize the collaboration with statewide officials. One recommendation for increasing the coaches-officials collaboration is encouraging one regionally-assigned official to participate in the regional Spring and Fall conference calls/meetings. Such a role would help foster a direct line of communication from the MWA leadership and membership to representatives of the officials and subsequently to the officials associations. Furthermore, there is an interest in the process by which officials are selected for the postseason tournaments and increased transparency in this process. It is out of an authentic interest in the fairness for the officials themselves and the wrestlers they officiate that our membership understands the process. This, in turn, will give additional importance and credence to the postseason officials ratings if those are the means by which officials are selected for assignments. Dan Hutchinson - on MHSAA website is a tab that shows all the required information to be selected to postseason officiating. The MHSAA puts together a list of officials that meets the criteria for postseason and puts it out to a group of coaches/administration for final selections. Officials are selected by zones on a rotational basis. Chris Dunham - Can we link our MWA regional representatives to this group. MWA would like to recommend certain officials, but officials need to be qualified to be at state finals. RJ Boudro - recommended we get ID pictures for official ratings. Chris Dunham - suggested that the home team has to submit officials to make the rating system better. Mark Holdren - spoke about MWA push to pull both sides together through banquet and fall clinic

- Officials associations can be found in the blue book. Girls Wrestling The strong upward trend of Girls Wrestling in Michigan has stirred considerable interest and has brought forth an incredible stable of stakeholders that are excited to help with growing participation and the promotion of girls wrestling. When surveyed, our membership overwhelmingly would like to see Girls Wrestling have its own postseason division that would consist of a regional qualification system and an individual state championship tournament that recognizes champions, all state athletes, and a team champion and runner up. Many respondents and a large contingency of the membership would like to see the said Girls Division wrestled alongside the Division 1, II, III, & IV finals. The Membership, as is evident from the Spring Survey results and Spring Meetings, is rigorously committed to the expansion and support of Girls Wrestling opportunities, expanded tournament offerings, and the transition to its stand-alone state tournament division. Casey Randolph - talked about a proposal from MWA coming to MHSAA to sanction girls wrestling a division.

-Dan Hutchinson has agreed to work with Casey Randolph on proposal OTHER SUCCESSES & RECOMMENDATIONS Our Membership, during the Spring Meeting and when asked for open responses on the survey, expressed interest in addressing several areas. The Executive Board has heard your concerns and will be discussing

1. Meetings & Connection - The regional structure is working and has shown to ensure fast, transparent, and relevant communication and responses to membership concerns. Also, it has been successful in growing

membership participation and encouraging new leadership to participate in the executive leadership structure.-

- Covered 2. Alpha Body Fat Testing - Membership has shared concerns that there are noticeable inconsistencies when it

comes to assessing the Alpha Body Fat Test and that although there is a formal and fair process, there may be ways to hold assessors accountable so that schools believe the statewide equity of all test results.

- Covered, Smack sports commission is working on this. 3. Late Arrival Skin Checks - 90% of Membership support allowing late arrivals (pending the coach made

earlier arrangements with the officials about the student athlete absence) to be skin checked upon their arrival and allowed to compete (if they pass the skin check).

- Covered and agreed. 4. College Out of Bounds Rule - 79% of the membership supports making a change to the full “college” out of

bounds rule whereby if one supporting point remains in bounds from either participant the action continues.

- Plan rule, this is a federation rule not state rule. 5. Expansion of Academic All State - There is strong support to expand Academic All State Standards to Girls

wrestlers and underclassmen and plans are being made to do so in the 2020-2021 season. CONCLUDING THOUGHTS In closing, it is the wish of the Michigan Wrestling Association to submit the aforementioned achievements, recommendation and gratitude to our MWA membership, to the MHSAA, and the wrestling community at large. To the Membership, please know your collective voices are heard. We appreciate your involvement with the Michigan Wrestling Association and do hereby submit to you our Annual Report . To our wrestlers and fans, know that we will continue to work and strive to facilitate enriching experiences as well as recognize outstanding achievements in coaching and wrestling. To administrators and to the MHSAA, we appreciate your support, all of the hours you commit to helping our membership, and for accepting this Annual Report. Although we live in uncertain times, we can be certain that wrestling will endure. Wrestling is humankind’s oldest and greatest athletic endeavor. Wrestling participants, coaches, families, fans, officials, and administrators that provide support to our programs know that wrestling builds toughness, resilience, dedication, and discipline - all characteristics that are needed now more than ever. It is our hope that MWA membership grows and that we will be honorable stewards of our historic sport for yet another season of exciting scholastic wrestling in 2020-2021. Heresigned, President Casey Randolph Vice President RJ Boudro Secretary Bubba Gritter Treasurer Doug Baird Member-at-Large Todd Cheney Membership Chair Chris Dunham Coach of the Year Chair Brian Richardson Hall of Fame & Fall Clinic Chair Mark Holdren Central Region Rep Brian Martel East Region Rep Greg Mayer Metroit Region Rep Bill Polk North Region Rep Jaime Smith Tri Cities Region Rep Matt Bishop

West Region Rep Brad Anderson Meeting adjourned 11:01am