Another thing that is cool, we will see more guys in Hawkeye singlets under the lights in the beginning with the new rules. So Joel could hit the mat to give someone some time off. Would of been nice with Swafford having those rules last year. Speaking of room guys that is now a potential starter.. look at that guy.
149
- Thread starter DavidGraeberBullSheetJobs
- Start date
Captain of my HS team ended up a 3 year starter at UVA. When recruiting was coming by, we said “Cap, why not Iowa?”
Him “I’m one of the top 3 in NJ. I go to Iowa, I’m the third string water boy. I go somewhere that isn’t competing for national titles, I probably get to compete varsity as a redshirt sophomore and won’t get beat by iowas second string waterboy every day”.
long story short, his opinion was being a room guy at Iowa was a lot tougher than being a starter in other places.
room guy at Hofstra? Little insulting.
Room guy at Iowa? It’s like saying “he rides the bench for the Yankees” as an insult. It’s not.
Him “I’m one of the top 3 in NJ. I go to Iowa, I’m the third string water boy. I go somewhere that isn’t competing for national titles, I probably get to compete varsity as a redshirt sophomore and won’t get beat by iowas second string waterboy every day”.
long story short, his opinion was being a room guy at Iowa was a lot tougher than being a starter in other places.
room guy at Hofstra? Little insulting.
Room guy at Iowa? It’s like saying “he rides the bench for the Yankees” as an insult. It’s not.
My guess is that not one wrestler appreciates or likes being labeled as a "room guy." Accept it, maybe. I doubt the name is used in the room as a term of endearment and is mainly used by non team members to identify non starters. While I agree being a non starter in the Iowa room is far superior than being one at say, Iowa State, most aren't satisfied with that.
Just like most backups in FB or BB don't like to be called backups or 2nd string...but the truth of the matter is they are. Everyone wants to play/be a starter...but not everyone can...and we, as fans, can talk about it & use these terms amongst each other...since the OP asked for opinions.
Exactly. You have to be over 50 to get this.
Sort of. But I think “walk on” suggest some chance of being a starter, or a guy who gets some meaningful play time. Room guy suggests they will never see a minute of varsity. Of course, wrestling is different from other sports, where the second and third stringers can get into any game.
According to the official roster, Charles Matthews and Leif Schroeder won letters in 20-21 despite the fact that they did not compete. To me, that suggests a great deal of respect for anyone who can survive a full season in that room and recognition of their value to the team.
Room guys might walk on and not getting meaningful time on mat. Walk on is the lowest room guy, imo.
The Hindus got this all figured out, non starters are referred to as untouchables.
An element of being a room guy is the potential to develop into a starter or even an AA. It rarely happens but it is the room guy crowning achievement.
If I Remember correctly Jessie Witmer was kind of a room guy and then he won a national title as a senior if I remember correctly.
And he had some pretty damn good practice partners in “the room” that team was fun to watch
I don’t think he cares which brother he’s talking about. His issue seems to be with calling anyone a “room guy” lol.
With today's transfer rules, why not spend a year or two in a room like the Hawks (if Brands is ok with it). Maybe you can start somewhere after learning from 2 of the best.
Truly, it comes down to the wrestler's personal expectations versus realistic expectations. So many kids come to DI thinking they are going to be a National Champ. In most DI rooms you should learn VERY quickly if that is even remotely possible.
If you can learn to temper those expectations, being a "room guy" at a top 5-10 school SHOULD be a badge of honor. You can still push yourself in all aspects of training and maybe you can be a James English type that finally AA's or a Whitmer. But, you should be content with helping your best guys flourish, knowing nearly every coach notices your contributions and will most likely let you start in a few matches and maybe even on Senior Day.
So, yeah, before you are a room guy, no one's pride will allow that to be said without it ruffling feathers. However, a year or 2 into the room(depending on the room), most know where they stand and have learned what it means to be that guy!
If you can learn to temper those expectations, being a "room guy" at a top 5-10 school SHOULD be a badge of honor. You can still push yourself in all aspects of training and maybe you can be a James English type that finally AA's or a Whitmer. But, you should be content with helping your best guys flourish, knowing nearly every coach notices your contributions and will most likely let you start in a few matches and maybe even on Senior Day.
So, yeah, before you are a room guy, no one's pride will allow that to be said without it ruffling feathers. However, a year or 2 into the room(depending on the room), most know where they stand and have learned what it means to be that guy!
I appreciate any “kid” who is talented enough to be in the Iowa wrestling room … Sort of like any kid good enough to be in the Alabama football program…. You’re a hell of a talent … and
One of the best…
One of the best…
