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Hello,

My name is Josh Humphreys with Team Mahindra Wrestling.

Got word that the WVSSAC is requiring all student-athletes to obtain permission from the WVSSAC in order to practice at or compete for another team (club) during season.

We have kids coming from around the state to practice at our club and I want to make sure that they are eligible for competition this season, so if your athlete wants to practice at Team Mahindra (or any club for that matter), please email David Price at David.price@wvssac.org for approval.

If you have any concerns or inquiries please reach out to me at joshhumphreys09@gmail.com

Thanks for the heads up!!!

What is the purpose of this new rule?

If the student athlete attends school and attends the school team's wrestling practice, then it is nobody's business what they do on their free time.

Somebody please provide what this new rule is attempting to accomplish.

I am guessing this rule applies to high school athletes being able to compete in NCAA Open tournaments. I see no other reason for an athlete competing for another team. As far as needing permission to go practice, or to go workout, on an off day, this certainly seems like an overreach to me.

Jon Perkins wrote:I am guessing this rule applies to high school athletes being able to compete in NCAA Open tournaments. I see no other reason for an athlete competing for another team. As far as needing permission to go practice, or to go workout, on an off day, this certainly seems like an overreach to me.

I see no reason why a high school wrestler cannot enter a college open wrestling tournament. I believe I have seen where non-college high school graduates have entered these tournaments in the past.

When a 16 or 17 year old like Bo Basset enters and defeats college All Americans, it is good for the sport all the way down to youth.

If it is during the season and someone participating on a team that has a competition on the same day as a college open tournament, I can clearly see where the powers that be may not like the appearance of this. I still think it’s a bit of overreach on their part, as long as an athlete has the permission from his/her coach and school principal, they should be allowed to participate. Now, if this whole made up scenario would take place on a Sunday and happened on a day off from this individuals team, then I think the coach, the principal, and the WVSSAC should all kicks rocks.

And for what is worth, Bo Basset and Jax Forest are both 18 years old, but I see the point that they were both beating NCAA athletes last year as 17 year olds.

Jon Perkins wrote:If it is during the season and someone participating on a team that has a competition on the same day as a college open tournament, I can clearly see where the powers that be may not like the appearance of this. I still think it’s a bit of overreach on their part, as long as an athlete has the permission from his/her coach and school principal, they should be allowed to participate. Now, if this whole made up scenario would take place on a Sunday and happened on a day off from this individuals team, then I think the coach, the principal, and the WVSSAC should all kicks rocks.

And for what is worth, Bo Basset and Jax Forest are both 18 years old, but I see the point that they were both beating NCAA athletes last year as 17 year olds.

Clarification of this rule are starting to trickle out on the street. Based on what my good friend "TrueSouthFanInJaneLew" told me, the rule has come about to drive consistency between how team sports and individual sports are handled.

I am all about consistency. Now we need to divide football up into geographical regions just like wrestling is.

Where is this rule posted? I looked in the Rules and Regulations and the Coaches Handbook and haven't been able to locate it.

Went to the rules meeting at the WVSSAC last night to get clarification on this new rule. As best as I can explain it the WVSSAC does want to know if you are participating in practices that are not associated with your school. Jeremy Callen doesn't believe it's a big deal. All the coaches have to do is take your entire roster and turn it in to your administration personnel and they will forward that to Mr. Price at the WVSSAC. You only have to do it one time for the season. That is not verbatim what he said but very close.
Here are the problems with that.
1) the WVSSAC is taking your rights of when and where you can allow your kid to practice. They are justifying it by saying it's only fair because football and basketball can't do it.
2) it's really dumb because if you want to beat it every school has to turn in a roster of all participants in the beginning of the season anyway. So just forward that list the same as extra practices.
3) not sure who would agree to such a rule when our country is concerned about rights. If they take this right where will they stop. I borrowed an example last night. I have a wrestler that really needs tutoring to stay eligible. Do I need to send that list of tutors to the WVSSAC for permission because it's school affiliated?
4) I could go on and on. I will not because after 52 years I have retired from coaching so the battle and future is for you people that have gonads to stand up for yourself

I do want to add one more thing. The WVSSAC is a principals organization. So the principles in our state made the rule not the guys in the WVSSAC office. They have to battle the bs from schools that may not even have a wrestling program!