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2000 HUSKERLAND NEWSLETTER

The Huskerland Board met again on Aug 19, 2000 with the main topics being the scheduling of HUSKERLAND 16 and the reorganization of the organization itself.

Of primary interest to all club directors and coaches is the timing and location of next years state tournament.  As most of you know we were having difficulty finding a host location with space to layout 10-15 mats and a solid floor (no more dirt).  This finally came down to only 2 suitable sites for 2001 due to building size, floor, and availability.  The final decision was to move Huskerland 16 to a 2-day event and hold it at the Holiday Inn Central, 72nd & Grover in Omaha.  The dates will be Easter weekend April 13-14.  The 13th is Good Friday so most schools will not be in session, easing that conflict.  Each day will have 3 - 3 hour sessions with action on 12 mats followed by an hour break between.  Specifics will be listed below.  We are very happy that the Holiday is excited to host all of us, and offering a special rate for the weekend.  A pool and video room are available as well as dining.  The Omaha Visitors Bureau also will be offering coupons for discounts at Henry Doorly Zoo and other attractions.  We think this will give you an opportunity to enjoy a fun, as well as competitive weekend.  Contact the Holiday Inn Central at 1-800-934-5495 and ask for the Huskerland blocked rooms.

The Schedule:  

Among other things we felt that trying to do this tournament correctly in one day was becoming nearly impossible.  No one wanted to stay until 12:30 in the morning to complete all rounds, yet everyone seemed to want to keep the challenges for true 2nd plus 90 second periods and choice for 7-8th grades.  Scorers, officials, and coaches were simply being exhausted after 13-14 hours of wrestling.

Obviously this 2 day schedule forced some changes.  Site availability pushed us back a week later than usual, and the 2-day format necessitated moving the Huskerland Duals to another weekend.  It does appear likely the Duals III will now be the weekend previous, April 7 and/or 8th and hopefully more centrally located in Kearney.  If you have been a participant or are thinking about becoming a participant, please contact any of us once you read this to make your feelings known on a 1 or 2 day format.  Your opinion will be valued.

Mentioned earlier in a previous update but now finalized is that the requirement for AAU membership has been eliminated.  Also we are still trying to organize a Huskerland Freestyle tournament for grades 3-12, perhaps in Waverly on April 28th.

The other topic dealt with the reorganization of the Board of Control.  Not just a new name, but the B of C will consist of those who will be dong most of the work and making most decisions.  The goal is to put the steps in place for an orderly succession when Craig does step down, and to make the board more responsible.  An equally important goal was to try to make Huskerland more professional and try to creat a situation in which funding will be available in the future for Huskerlnad participants to enter affordably into summer tournaments.  We recognize these are expensive and want to try to be able to help with your interested wrestlers.  Also by becoming more professional we hope to be able to at least keep fees from rising and even lower them if possible.

The new Board of Control will consist of a General Manager and 6 significant sub-areas.  Below is the break down of the new leadership:
General Manager: Craig Hellwege
Business Manager: Jay Meneely
Business Manager Assistant:  Wallace Dawkins
Site Manager:  Doug Denson
Pairings Director:  Ken Howe
Meet Director: Fred Hall
Meet Directory Assistant:  Lyle Miller & Joe Hansen
Duals & Freestyle Manager:  Darrell Jennings
Duals & Freestyle Manager Assistant:  Dave Andrews & Albert Rodriguez
Treasurer:  Roxy Howe
Others you know well by now who will be involved as Team Players include:  Bill Emsick, Fred Maloley, Dick Thomas, Linda Hill, Marie Rodriguez, Brent Abrams, Dean Reicks, Travis Stutzman, John Sutton, Kevin Kryzanowski and Dave Saylor.

Other news of interest for the coming year includes the elimination of the special club membership rate for web page access only.  Too few of you chose that option to make it viable.  However the new rates for 2001 do have some changes.  If renewing by Dec. 1st, 2000 the fee is $40.  From Dec. 2nd thru March 1st, 2001 the fee is $60, and anything after that date is $80.  Frankly too many clubs are not renewing until sending in Huskerland entries that we are consciously trying to give you an incentive to renew early!

Individual entry fees remain unchanged at $20 per wrestler or $30 family entry if a Huskerland club member;  $25 if non-Huskerland;  $10 for those west of Hwy 83, and $5 for those from the panhandle.

For club directors and coaches, you might want to encourage your good workers to consider scoring at Huskerland this year.  We are paying each table worker $75/day and some might wish to donate it back to the clubs.  If you have good people who are interested have them contact Fred Hall  (402-438-1307) or Joe Hansen (402-529-3807) as we will be looking for people.

Finally as many of you know, year 2000 torunaments were plagued by low entry levels and the scheduling of too many, too close geographically, the same day.  If you send your tournament dates to us ASAP we will get them posted and do our best to stay current in an attempt to prevent steppping on each others toes.

Continue to watch this page for further updates and news as it happens.

THE BOARD: Craig, Doug, Darrell, Ken & Roxy, Fred & Bobbi, Joe, Lyle, Jay Wallace, Albert & Dave

POSITIVES IN FAVOR OF THE HOLIDAY INN,  72ND & GROVER,  OMAHA

1. A huge upgrade for the wrestling venue from the dusty dirt floors of a rodeo barn the last 2 years to a fancy hotel ballroom!
2. Spreading the event over 2 days is long overdue.  Being the largest 1-day wrestling event anywhere made our event special but maybe isn't the best way.  Fourteen straight hours of wrestlig is a huge strain on everyone involved.  Having 3 - 3 hour sessions per day with and hour break and action on 12 mats should be enough for everybody.
3. Parents will have the option to hit and run or turn this into a great mini-vacation.  Actual time required at the venue should be less than 4 hours from check-in to receiving the medals.  We are much more likely to hit all start times.  Those wanting to stay can enjoy the many things Omaha offers, most notably the Henry Doorly Zoo.  We strongly feel many parents will stay two nights to get a nice break and attend Huskerland all in one trip.
4. We hope many coaches and parents will stay at the Holiday or nearby hotels.  They will be able to return to their rooms at will.  Wrestlers can relax, dress, and shower in their rooms.  Younger siblings can swim, go to the game room or watch movies in your rooms.  Dad can stay for the wrestling while the family can go shopping.  The advantages to having the event near the largest collection of hotel and motel rooms in the state is easy to grasp.
5. We want to make this a special treat for coaches instead of a draining experience.  We're planning a Friday night social for workers, directors, and coaches.  Splitting the grade groups will allow coaches the opportunity to coach more matches.
6. Because Omaha is willing to support us so much better financially we hope to be able to help fund your wrestlers in off-season events.  Getting our foot in the door now will help us in obtaining the new Omaha Convention Center when it is completed.
   
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