'25 Senior World Championships, Sep. 13-21

El_Jefe

All-Conference
Oct 11, 2021
1,550
4,361
113
Now it’s Cowboys RTC and NLWC have many multiples of $$$ to pay athletes as compared to HWC. When did Iowa wrestling became so donor and bank account challenged?
They're not. But their donors have virtually no interest in supporting HWC beyond Spencer. I suspect this frustrates Brands, but he's been unable to convince his donors otherwise.

The irony is Slumlord Bob being ultra-wealthy by owning, and then spending his money on rentals.
 
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vhsalum1

Senior
Jul 8, 2025
304
724
93
They're not. But their donors have virtually no interest in supporting HWC beyond Spencer. I suspect this frustrates Brands, but he's been unable to convince his donors otherwise.

The irony is Slumlord Bob being ultra-wealthy by owning, and then spending his money on rentals.
No.

Tom is running the HWC the way he wants. A guy like Fellers stopped donating precisely because of that.
 
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El_Jefe

All-Conference
Oct 11, 2021
1,550
4,361
113
Then he should be concerned about wasting money on guys who are not going to be Olympic champions. Like I said, an unpopular opinion, but Dake is past his prime. It's called realism.
No, it's called stupidity. If money is not an issue, then keep him around to help build Carter and Levi and Mitchell (at least) into the next wave of champions. That's a smart use of money, if the purpose is to create future champions.
 
May 7, 2022
41
81
18
Put aside the laughs … a strong productive HWC is good for the sport.

why they can’t do it is odd. You would think any gap in TNTs money Rolodex, gable and others could backfill.

unless that was tried….

because if slumlord bob and his ilk is all they got…. Oof

what DT has done in n a year is very impressive which means his $ is only going to get handed out in bigger stacks
 
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vhsalum1

Senior
Jul 8, 2025
304
724
93
Then he should be concerned about wasting money on guys who are not going to be Olympic champions. Like I said, an unpopular opinion, but Dake is past his prime. It's called realism.

dear god man. No need to put Dake to pasture!

Dake is literally, still one of the best guys in the room. Both in recent success and practice skillset. For as long as he wants to compete - whether he makes the team or not - you keep him around the program.

you’re talking about setting a precedent that is the antithesis of why the college program and your club is great. Guys that want to compete and are on the level of- you keep them around and keep paying them.

sheesh. You ok buddy?
 

El_Jefe

All-Conference
Oct 11, 2021
1,550
4,361
113
No.

Tom is running the HWC the way he wants. A guy like Fellers stopped donating precisely because of that.
Then they're all at fault. The donors don't get off the hook for sending their money into a black hole. Every targeted donation is made via contract with signed terms and conditions. Slumlord Bob chose to spend his money for the vanity of putting his name on a new facility, instead of making it available for senior resident athletes. And Brands needs to get his head out of his *** about HWC.
 

vhsalum1

Senior
Jul 8, 2025
304
724
93
Put aside the laughs … a strong productive HWC is good for the sport.

why they can’t do it is odd. You would think any gap in TNTs money Rolodex, gable and others could backfill.

unless that was tried….

because if slumlord bob and his ilk is all they got…. Oof

what DT has done in n a year is very impressive which means his $ is only going to get handed out in bigger stacks

Tom spent $32 million on a sex dungeon. He made his choice.
 

nerfstate

Senior
Oct 11, 2021
283
994
93
Then he should be concerned about wasting money on guys who are not going to be Olympic champions. Like I said, an unpopular opinion, but Dake is past his prime. It's called realism.
I’m sorry but I find your taken on this matter patently silly. Having a guy like Kyle Dake on your roster and in your room pays long term dividends that extend way beyond simply his likelyhood to reach the top of the world again.
 

El_Jefe

All-Conference
Oct 11, 2021
1,550
4,361
113
dear god man. No need to put Dake to pasture!

Dake is literally, still one of the best guys in the room. Both in recent success and practice skillset. For as long as he wants to compete - whether he makes the team or not - you keep him around the program.

you’re talking about setting a precedent that is the antithesis of why the college program and your club is great. Guys that want to compete and are on the level of- you keep them around and keep paying them.

sheesh. You ok buddy?
1 year removed from being an Olympic medalist.
 

BWFight

Sophomore
Feb 6, 2014
49
163
33
Then he should be concerned about wasting money on guys who are not going to be Olympic champions. Like I said, an unpopular opinion, but Dake is past his prime. It's called realism.
Perhaps from a wrestling perspective, he may be on the downhill side of his career, but the experience and leadership he brings to the younger guys is equally valuable. The NLWC needs a mix of veterans, top guns, and up and comers.

If you’ve ever seen Kyle working with the younger guys at a NLWC practice, or interacting with fans and boosters, you would more fully appreciate his contributions as a wrestler, and as a human being.
 

Walkon86

Freshman
Jan 17, 2014
28
74
13
I’ve met Dake several times and he is always generous with his time especially with young kids. He seems to love his life with his wife and kids and his openness about how his father’s death affected him was very moving. He seems like a great human being. My opinion was reinforced when I saw Burroughs interview where he said that he didn’t call Kyle to wish condolences on his father’s death because he didn’t want to show decency because of competition. Dake was one of the first to reach out when Burroughs own father passed. Confirmed everything I thought about Kyle. Also, he keeps getting younger! Keep him around forever!
 

District 4

Freshman
Feb 16, 2018
57
81
18
I’m sorry but I find your taken on this matter patently silly. Having a guy like Kyle Dake on your roster and in your room pays long term dividends that extend way beyond simply his likelyhood to reach the top of the world again.
I think when dake is done he should be a coach at nlwc at least his experience and skill set are off the charts
 

Sammy7777!

Junior
Feb 20, 2025
270
307
63
I think when dake is done he should be a coach at nlwc at least his experience and skill set are off the charts
Exactly. Pay Zain and Kyle to Run the NLWC for Several years !!!! That’s Huge for our Program. Gotta keep Jake V as well. Those 3.
 
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May 7, 2022
41
81
18
Jake is doing a good job. I’m all for more help and paid positions if they can be afforded but jake hasn’t done anything to “lose” his job
 
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BWFight

Sophomore
Feb 6, 2014
49
163
33
Kyle “Udonis Haslem” Dake!! ❤️
Not being a basketball fan, I had to google your reference and yes, that moniker fits very well. However, Udonis assumed his role after retiring as an active player. I think Kyle can and will continue to contribute to the NLWC as an active participant. . . and I wouldn’t count him out as a competitor. 😎
 
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amattaro

Sophomore
Sep 12, 2017
80
189
33
And Brands needs to get his head out of his *** about HWC.

 

PennState1985

All-Conference
Mar 14, 2016
2,063
4,750
113
No, it's called stupidity. If money is not an issue, then keep him around to help build Carter and Levi and Mitchell (at least) into the next wave of champions. That's a smart use of money, if the purpose is to create future champions.
Spending someone else's money needlessly is not a good look in any business enterprise. NLWC doesn't need Dake to keep Carter/Levi/Mitchell engaged.
 

PennState1985

All-Conference
Mar 14, 2016
2,063
4,750
113
dear god man. No need to put Dake to pasture!

Dake is literally, still one of the best guys in the room. Both in recent success and practice skillset. For as long as he wants to compete - whether he makes the team or not - you keep him around the program.

you’re talking about setting a precedent that is the antithesis of why the college program and your club is great. Guys that want to compete and are on the level of- you keep them around and keep paying them.

sheesh. You ok buddy?
That's NOT how sound business works. You and others can continue to rant about my take, but those closer to the situation are likely discussing Dake's future and making a more economic decision based on harder facts. 2026 is Dake's last year.
 

PennState1985

All-Conference
Mar 14, 2016
2,063
4,750
113
I’m sorry but I find your taken on this matter patently silly. Having a guy like Kyle Dake on your roster and in your room pays long term dividends that extend way beyond simply his likelyhood to reach the top of the world again.
Like I said, I didn't expect likes. That said, Dake is now near the end of his career.
 

PennState1985

All-Conference
Mar 14, 2016
2,063
4,750
113
It must be great to spend other people's money on your fantasies. Real life is about cost and benefit. Dake as a coach would be great. Dake as a wrestler has become marginal and declines over time. Stop the hand wringing because Dake will be 35 in February. He will never be an Olympic champion. He can be a coach and I'm fine with that, and that's all I've said. Who really disagrees with that statement?
 
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PennState1985

All-Conference
Mar 14, 2016
2,063
4,750
113
Lots of butthurt in this thread over an obvious truth. Groupthink is strong in this forum. But carry on.

Is it really that hard to believe that Dake's career is nearly over, and that he is better off going into coaching?? Holy **** people!
 

CropDuster507

Sophomore
Jul 13, 2015
78
148
33
I think the “Spencer needs to leave Iowa” talks are silly. He’s Tom Brady. They brought in multiple guys to train, if I’m not mistaken. He has other partners. Like what’s been written, he has it kinda built around him.

sometimes, the other guy is also really ******* good. It’s a good chance to get better. It ain’t the “Changing Locations” World Championships, it’s the WRESTLING World Championships. Get better at wrestling.

I hate that ****. While it is necessary in some instances, leaving ain’t always the best choice.
 
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