Helping a smaller PA program

[Coastal2]

I mentioned in another thread about helping a Pennsylvania wrestling program and there seemed to be some interest.

The idea would be to purchase a group of season tickets that we could distribute to local wrestling programs who could then attend a match. We would also donate financially. An extra $25 dollars by an individual isn't going to make a huge difference to Penn State but could impact some schools who operate on a shoe string.

The first order would be to pick a program. Either Bloomsburg, Clarion, Edinboro, or Mercyhurst would be my suggestions as each have their positives. I excluded Lock Haven as they seem to be holding their own but am open to other suggestions.

Bloomsburg - a sacrificial lamb for Penn State this season. Supporting them would be a show of support for opponents

Clarion - struggling with enrollment and finances.

Edinboro - has some fairly recent success

Mercyhurst - a recent DI move up and just added a women's team.

 

[mhs103]

I mentioned in another thread about helping a Pennsylvania wrestling program and there seemed to be some interest.

The idea would be to purchase a group of season tickets that we could distribute to local wrestling programs who could then attend a match. We would also donate financially. An extra $25 dollars by an individual isn't going to make a huge difference to Penn State but could impact some schools who operate on a shoe string.

The first order would be to pick a program. Either Bloomsburg, Clarion, Edinboro, or Mercyhurst would be my suggestions as each have their positives. I excluded Lock Haven as they seem to be holding their own but am open to other suggestions.

Bloomsburg - a sacrificial lamb for Penn State this season. Supporting them would be a show of support for opponents

Clarion - struggling with enrollment and finances.

Edinboro - has some fairly recent success

Mercyhurst - a recent DI move up and just added a women's team.

Great idea. Please provide ticket office info.

 

[dicemen99]

I mentioned in another thread about helping a Pennsylvania wrestling program and there seemed to be some interest.

The idea would be to purchase a group of season tickets that we could distribute to local wrestling programs who could then attend a match. We would also donate financially. An extra $25 dollars by an individual isn't going to make a huge difference to Penn State but could impact some schools who operate on a shoe string.

The first order would be to pick a program. Either Bloomsburg, Clarion, Edinboro, or Mercyhurst would be my suggestions as each have their positives. I excluded Lock Haven as they seem to be holding their own but am open to other suggestions.

Bloomsburg - a sacrificial lamb for Penn State this season. Supporting them would be a show of support for opponents

Clarion - struggling with enrollment and finances.

Edinboro - has some fairly recent success

Mercyhurst - a recent DI move up and just added a women's team.

Great idea! I think Bloom or Clarion - they probably could use the help the most.

I vote Bloom as a payback for the countless hours of entertainment afforded me between the frats and the coeds on my many trips there to meet my buddies from HS while I was in undergrad. Sleeping in an unfinished crawspace above a frat bedroom was never so fun!

 

[Coastal2]

I am going to give until this weekend so everyone can weigh in with their opinion.

We'll then contact the coach of the school to let them know what we're doing, contact the PJW Area chair to see if they'll give contact info for local programs for the tickets and I'll also link the straight donation page for whichever school we choose.

Maybe we support a different school each year or maybe we just pick one school and do it annually. Thoughts?

 

[SRATH]

Cool idea. Both Edinboro and Mercyhurst have women’s programs, which puts them ahead of the other two…….in my mind. Of course I’m Erie County biased

 

[dicemen99]

Cool idea. Both Edinboro and Mercyhurst have women’s programs, which puts them ahead of the other two…….in my mind. Of course I’m Erie County biased

IDK, the fact that they both have girls programs shows that there is more of an administrative commitment to wrestling - at least in my mind. I’d rather donate directly to a program that may need some momentum in hopes it is a small step towards putting their program on more solid footing.

At least that’s how I see it. Bloom got my vote, but Clarion would be my #2. I’d say we institute ranked voting and see what happens.

 

[Coastal2]

IDK, the fact that they both have girls programs shows that there is more of an administrative commitment to wrestling - at least in my mind. I’d rather donate directly to a program that may need some momentum in hopes it is a small step towards putting their program on more solid footing.

At least that’s how I see it. Bloom got my vote, but Clarion would be my #2. I’d say we institute ranked voting and see what happens.

Ranking is a really good idea.

Everyone please comment with your first choice and second choice.

 

[Matter7172]

Bloomsburg and Edinboro, in that order.

 

[Fan16801]

I’m in. Any program - they all need encouragment.

 

[Nitlion1986]

IDK, the fact that they both have girls programs shows that there is more of an administrative commitment to wrestling - at least in my mind. I’d rather donate directly to a program that may need some momentum in hopes it is a small step towards putting their program on more solid footing.

At least that’s how I see it. Bloom got my vote, but Clarion would be my #2. I’d say we institute ranked voting and see what happens.

I already buy season tickets to LHU and give the tickets away. I would actually suggest F&M or Millersville.

 

[BigFella235]

I know Edinboro already does a bunch of local outreach events for wrestling (e.g. youth night, mat side socials, etc.). Getting AJ back has helped their lightweights get competitive again.

Mercyhurst is starting their first season at D1 this year. They’re probably gonna be down for a few years until they get a steady stream of talent coming in. Jimmy Overhiser has his work cut out for him too with Gannon across town and Boro a short drive away.

Clarion is back in a lull. They have some decent kids, but they’re far removed from the AA threats they had with Bekzod, Zacherl, and even Feldkamp.

A DII program to consider is Slippery Rock. They’ll be starting competition next season after a ton of hard work to bring the program back from the dead.

If you need to get ahold of the PJW All Area chairman, let me know. I’ve known him for years and he’s a family friend of my wife’s.

 

[WPIALBrwnPSU]

Slippery Rock alum did work hard. My vote would be SR and Edinboro in a dead heat.

 

[Coastal2]

After looking a little bit, Bloomsburg doesn't have season tickets, they are only available at the door.

And Slippery Rock would be a viable option also. Michigan announces the Slippery Rock scores at their football games so we might be able to get some of their fans involved in donating also. They don't start until next season so the ticket giveaway would be impossible for this year.

 

[TwoJoints]

My 1st choice would be Clarion, a classic program in need of revival. After that Bloomsburg and Slippery Rock would also be great choices. As an aside, I watched the stream of a few Bloomsburg home duals last season and the kid who did the PBP (ok, anyone under 45 is a kid to me) did some pretty decent work. I remember him getting into a pretty good discussion of “correct” head position for an underhook (it depends).

 

[Coastal2]

My 1st choice would be Clarion, a classic program in need of revival. After that Bloomsburg and Slippery Rock would also be great choices. As an aside, I watched the stream of a few Bloomsburg home duals last season and the kid who did the PBP (ok, anyone under 45 is a kid to me) did some pretty decent work. I remember him getting into a pretty good discussion of “correct” head position for an underhook (it depends).

PSAC teams have a lot of duals on the PSAC channel. Backup wrestlers oftentimes are the commentators for the match so the knowledge level and insights are so much better that major duals. I think it was Edinboro last year where the kid was predicting moves before they happened at the 3 or 4 weights around his weight. He saw set ups coming as he's had that happen to him from the same kids at practice.

 

[King of Poland II]

PSAC teams have a lot of duals on the PSAC channel. Backup wrestlers oftentimes are the commentators for the match so the knowledge level and insights are so much better that major duals. I think it was Edinboro last year where the kid was predicting moves before they happened at the 3 or 4 weights around his weight. He saw set ups coming as he's had that happen to him from the same kids at practice.

I would love for the PSAC schools to loan a few of these kids out so I never have to hear Cormier again.

Seriously though, good for those schools. Get the kids some experience on the mic and give the viewers great insight.

 

[Joejitsu]

NIL is going to kill the state schools. In todays culture there is zero possiblity that a Clarion could land a Kurt Angle, Sheldon Thomas, Don Rohn, or a Wade Schalles and even if they did they would leave with the portal bc of the NIL money available in the big schools.