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Contact Gary Barta

MARION_HAWK

MARION_HAWK

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Feb 4, 2011
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gary-barta@uiowa.edu

I sent Barta an email today asking him to make improving the Iowa Wrestling facilities a priority and let him know what Pollard is doing at Iowa State and that Iowa Wrestling is a national brand and needs to get back to the top.

I encourage everyone to take a couple minutes and let Barta know how important the success of the Iowa Wrestling program is to the entire state of Iowa.

Go Hawks.
 
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MARION_HAWK said:
gary-barta@uiowa.edu

I sent Barta an email today asking him to make improving the Iowa Wrestling facilities a priority and let him know what Pollard is doing at Iowa State and that Iowa Wrestling is a national brand and needs to get back to the top.

I encourage everyone to take a couple minutes and let Barta know how important the success of the Iowa Wrestling program is to the entire state of Iowa.

Go Hawks.
Click to expand...
Have you seen the new wrestling facility at Iowa ?
 
MARION_HAWK said:
Barta did not respond to my email..figured I would at least get a generic response. We need to flood his inbox and emphasize the time is NOW to get the Hawks back on top.
Click to expand...


The money was there for an upgrade the last time around. I was told the coaches got exactly what they asked for and wanted.

So before you call for a flooding of Barta's inbox you may want to ask around of that is what the staff really feels is the best use of the resources.

Maybe things have changed or I got false information but at the time, more was offered and told wasn't needed by staff
 
MN.HAWK said:
The money was there for an upgrade the last time around. I was told the coaches got exactly what they asked for and wanted.

So before you call for a flooding of Barta's inbox you may want to ask around of that is what the staff really feels is the best use of the resources.

Maybe things have changed or I got false information but at the time, more was offered and told wasn't needed by staff
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I think it's entirely appropriate to flood Gary Barta's inbox. Times have changed, as have needs and priorities. A facilities upgrade is now needed and desired.

EDIT: That said, any correspondence with Barta or anyone else in the Athletic Department needs to be respectful and positive. I don't think the Athletic Department has worked contrary to the wrestling program or refused assistance. I think it's more of a case where they need to be made very aware that the wrestling program needs their support now more than ever, to keep up with other top programs that are making large investments in their staff, infrastructure, etc.
 
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i'm in the confused boat on this as well...what exactly are needed to be upgraded? A wrestling mat is a wrestling mat...and weights are weights and aerodynes are aerodynes. (Did we get to keep the Big10 mats from last year?)

They just moved into the new Carver not too long ago.

Granted, i've only been in the room itself, but are we referring to better massaging shower heads? Can someone with specifics enlighten me?
 
From what I have seen, the weight room could use an upgrade...but the room itself is pretty sweet
 
LutherAce said:
i'm in the confused boat on this as well...what exactly are needed to be upgraded? A wrestling mat is a wrestling mat...and weights are weights and aerodynes are aerodynes. (Did we get to keep the Big10 mats from last year?)

They just moved into the new Carver not too long ago.

Granted, i've only been in the room itself, but are we referring to better massaging shower heads? Can someone with specifics enlighten me?
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Let's take tOSU for example. They're starting a large building project for a state-of-the-art wresting complex. PSU has had one for years. This is what we're up against. For better or for worse, there's a bit of an arms race underway among the top wrestling programs in the nation, much like what we see in football.

So I don't think we're talking shower heads or workout bikes. I think we're talking larger scale stuff.
 
I guess I should add that I'm really not sure what it would accomplish to flood Gary Barta's inbox. I suspect, however, that if he gets a massive influx of input from wrestling fans who are courteous and simply going to bat for the wrestling program, on top of the massive spontaneous fundraising that's happening on this board (and I'm sure he'll know about that soon if he doesn't already), he'll at least be acutely aware of the level of support and interest among Iowa fans. I'd think that would send a message that it's time to make a push in support of wrestling.
 
Didn't you guys just remodel to your wrestling room two years ago? Have your needs changed that fast?
 
I would think all you'd be asking from Barta is some support from the university to the HWC. Allow promotion of HWC during school sponsored activities (wrestling duals, football games...) Otherwise I believe Barta has supported the wrestling team to his abilities.
 
MN.HAWK said:
Fair enough, and like I said I could be under bad or only partial info. You know who my source is on this, and he's not often wrong.
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I believe the mindset is now changing, but it's been a recent development. It is clear there has not been enough forward thinking to position the program where it needs to be. That begins with Brands and flows upward through the administration.
 
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<Then flood the coach as well. Because if the staff doesn't feel they need better facilities, why should the AD listen to anyone else?>>

Ok-- I just had lunch with Coach Brands- hopefully I can clear the air in regards to facilities-- we have made some improvements and taken care of some areas that need attention but is that everything the coaches wanted--no way. Its what was available to be done per the University.

He has had some conversations with Barta about a new wrestling complex that connects to Carver-- I'm not going to go into details of exactly what they want--will leave those details for Coach to share at some point but he wants a wrestling complex that rivals the top teams we are competing against. You can say what you want- but kids are different--When Tom was recruited he could care less about the facilities-- just put him on the mat. Now kids are comparing.
Barta is aware-- and according to Brands "possibly" supportive-- but other projects take priority-- North End Zone, Golf Clubhouse,baseball,softball.

So it appears we are pretty low on the priority list right now.

Can emails help him move us up? Cant hurt I guess---- Coach Brands said in the near future he is going to initiate more conversation with Barta on this very subject.

I am told that some people have already committed some $$ toward this new facility should it happen.

So-- my own personal opinion is I wish Barta would consider fastracking this-- If he and the University asks-the $$ would get raised and raised fast.

A guess on the budget- 25 mm
 
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$25M would get you a lot more than just a wrestling facility----- Ohio State currently spending more then that.

University Construction projects are expensive--
 
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Multi-Hawk said:
$25M would get you a lot more than just a wrestling facility.
Click to expand...

When someone brought up tOSU's new wrestling facility I googled it, and I believe it was $7.5M, but they were also building other things as well that wrestling would be able to use - for a lot more money.
 
theIowaHawk said:
When someone brought up tOSU's new wrestling facility I googled it, and I believe it was $7.5M, but they were also building other things as well that wrestling would be able to use - for a lot more money.
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Yes, more of rec center approach with wrestling facility attached.
 
<<When someone brought up tOSU's new wrestling facility I googled it, and I believe it was $7.5M, but they were also building other things as well that wrestling would be able to use - for a lot more money.>>

Yes- and at nationals they had a booth with 3D models,visuals,graphics--- very cool
 
Barta is aware-- and according to Brands"possibly" supportive-- but other projectstake priority-- North End Zone, GolfClubhouse,baseball,softball

All these things equal Zero National Championships brought to the University while a new wrestling complex could bring MANY more to go along with the 23 they have already given us. Hopefully Barta becomes aware of this soon as well.
 
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to gary-barta
cleardot.gif



Sir Winston Churchill once said that "It is no use saying 'We are doing our best.' You have got to succeed in doing what is necessary."

I do not pretend to know the ins-and-outs of how an athletic department is run, but rather, my perspective is that of a concerned and supporting fan. I am not writing this to ask for mountains to be moved or to inquire about projects in the works, but for consideration into possible olive branches of support for the HWC and Iowa Wrestling in general.

As the collegiate wrestling climate continues to adapt and grow - financially - would it be a possibility to present the Brands brothers, Mr. Novak, or others a list of names who already donate to the foundation or athletic department, and see if they will help a program that is now falling behind financially? Or, just allow the HWC staff to reach out to a larger audience, whether at a football game or anything else, like many other programs allow?

I ask this consideration because Hawkeye wrestling fans are the most loyal in the country. On a message board alone, through a meaningless competition, supporters have raised over 11,000 dollars in under two full days, and we will continue to do this. Please do not allow a top-5 finish every year to be ok.

Best,

Concerned Fan
 
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24Hawkeye7 said:
to gary-barta
cleardot.gif



Sir Winston Churchill once said that "It is no use saying 'We are doing our best.' You have got to succeed in doing what is necessary."

I do not pretend to know the ins-and-outs of how an athletic department is run, but rather, my perspective is that of a concerned and supporting fan. I am not writing this to ask for mountains to be moved or to inquire about projects in the works, but for consideration into possible olive branches of support for the HWC and Iowa Wrestling in general.

As the collegiate wrestling climate continues to adapt and grow - financially - would it be a possibility to present the Brands brothers, Mr. Novak, or others a list of names who already donate to the foundation or athletic department, and see if they will help a program that is now falling behind financially? Or, just allow the HWC staff to reach out to a larger audience, whether at a football game or anything else, like many other programs allow?

I ask this consideration because Hawkeye wrestling fans are the most loyal in the country. On a message board alone, through a meaningless competition, supporters have raised over 11,000 dollars in under two full days, and we will continue to do this. Please do not allow a top-5 finish every year to be ok.

Best,

Concerned Fan
Click to expand...
Match Me
 
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Novakht said:
<Then flood the coach as well. Because if the staff doesn't feel they need better facilities, why should the AD listen to anyone else?>>

Ok-- I just had lunch with Coach Brands- hopefully I can clear the air in regards to facilities-- we have made some improvements and taken care of some areas that need attention but is that everything the coaches wanted--no way. Its what was available to be done per the University.

He has had some conversations with Barta about a new wrestling complex that connects to Carver-- I'm not going to go into details of exactly what they want--will leave those details for Coach to share at some point but he wants a wrestling complex that rivals the top teams we are competing against. You can say what you want- but kids are different--When Tom was recruited he could care less about the facilities-- just put him on the mat. Now kids are comparing.
Barta is aware-- and according to Brands "possibly" supportive-- but other projects take priority-- North End Zone, Golf Clubhouse,baseball,softball.

So it appears we are pretty low on the priority list right now.

Can emails help him move us up? Cant hurt I guess---- Coach Brands said in the near future he is going to initiate more conversation with Barta on this very subject.

I am told that some people have already committed some $$ toward this new facility should it happen.

So-- my own personal opinion is I wish Barta would consider fastracking this-- If he and the University asks-the $$ would get raised and raised fast.

A guess on the budget- 25 mm
Click to expand...
A number of things need to change, but wrestling's priority on that list is the first one.

I think the main message that needs to be conveyed to Mr. Barta is this. . . that the Iowa wrestling program is the flagship program for the university and for the state. It's one of the most winning programs in the history of collegiate athletics, and it deserves priority at the U of I. Other non-revenue sports can start claiming priority once they've started winning national championships, let alone 23 of them. Although wrestling isn't a huge revenue sport, it's the standard bearer for the U of I and brings a lot of notoriety to the university and the state. Furthermore, it's a tremendous source of pride for the people of Iowa. Top-5, while outstanding in most sports, is well short of the goal for Iowa wrestling. Although he's surely aware of the history, he's simply not an Iowa native and probably doesn't fully appreciate the fact that top-5 is virtually meaningless to Iowa coaches, wrestlers, and fans, and that the historic Iowa wrestling program deserves the full support of the Athletic Department so it can be restored to its rightful place at the pinnacle of college wrestling.

Cut and paste it if you want, for all I care. . . . He needs to get this message loud and clear.
 
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MN.HAWK said:
The money was there for an upgrade the last time around. I was told the coaches got exactly what they asked for and wanted.

So before you call for a flooding of Barta's inbox you may want to ask around of that is what the staff really feels is the best use of the resources.

Maybe things have changed or I got false information but at the time, more was offered and told wasn't needed by staff
Click to expand...
Ok, I asked around. The coaches WANT/NEED an upgraded facility. As of this moment wrestling, the only hawkeye program to finish in the top 5 nationally, is not on the list for an improved facility which does include; golf, softball, baseball, and the north end zone for FB.
 
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bbwretler said:
Ok, I asked around. The coaches WANT/NEED an upgraded facility. As of this moment wrestling, the only hawkeye program to finish in the top 5 nationally, is not on the list for an improved facility which does include; golf, softball, baseball, and the north end zone for FB.
Click to expand...

Thanks for clarifying that for all on the board bro. So now we have a goal when we write, it should be easy for all of us to be on the same narrative. No disrespect to the other sports but the fanbase for wrestling is much larger in the state, nationally, and internationally. Give you an example, had our moving company gal out here the other day doing a cost estimation. Told her our landing sport in Iowa and she was like "My son wrestled and has always wanted to go there for a match because I think that's where the Hawkeyes wrestle." I was like..."You don't say." Don't think have ever been to or have relatives in Iowa but that's what she knew about the the state/University of Iowa.
 
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So there will be NO misunderstanding. I am echoing what Novakht said earlier. Tom wants and the program NEEDS an upgraded facility. If we are going to compete and recruit the top wrestlers we need to have the same type of facility that the other top programs do. Just heard it directly from TOM. We could have gotten committents form some of the top recruits in the past couple years, where we were in the top 2-3, if we had these type of facilities or at least had them in the works.
 
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Azchief32 said:
Thanks for clarifying that for all on the board bro. So now we have a goal when we write, it should be easy for all of us to be on the same narrative. No disrespect to the other sports but the fanbase for wrestling is much larger in the state, nationally, and internationally. Give you an example, had our moving company gal out here the other day doing a cost estimation. Told her our landing sport in Iowa and she was like "My son wrestled and has always wanted to go there for a match because I think that's where the Hawkeyes wrestle." I was like..."You don't say." Don't think have ever been to or have relatives in Iowa but that's what she knew about the the state/University of Iowa.
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Great Point. Exactly what I told Tom. Iowa Wrestling is known around the country. As much or more than basketball or football and certainly more than hawkeye baseball, golf or softball.
 
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I can't make the banquet, but I hope a lot of posters can go! Let's go and show our support for Tom and everyone else involved with the wrestling program!
 
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bbwretler said:
Great Point. Exactly what I told Tom. Iowa Wrestling is known around the country. As much or more than basketball or football and certainly more than hawkeye baseball, golf or softball.
Click to expand...

It's beyond frustrating that wrestling is behind golf and baseball. I remember Tom talking about the grapple last year, saying something to the effect that Iran and Russian even heard about the grapple. It was that big of a deal.
 
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whejoe said:
It's beyond frustrating that wrestling is behind golf and baseball. I remember Tom talking about the grapple last year, saying something to the effect that Iran and Russian even heard about the grapple. It was that big of a deal.
Click to expand...

I wonder if the Russians and Iranians heard about the U of I golfers finishing 7th at the recent Mason Rudolf Championship
 
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bbwretler said:
So there will be NO misunderstanding. I am echoing what Novakht said earlier. Tom wants and the program NEEDS an upgraded facility. If we are going to compete and recruit the top wrestlers we need to have the same type of facility that the other top programs do. Just heard it directly from TOM. We could have gotten committents form some of the top recruits in the past couple years, where we were in the top 2-3, if we had these type of facilities or at least had them in the works.
Click to expand...

What is missing for us ignorant on this?
 
theIowaHawk said:
What is missing for us ignorant on this?
Click to expand...
Not sure what you mean? Tom's first priority is getting the athletic admin to realize the need and be prepared to fun a new wrestling facility. probably in the $15,000,000 range. We talked about how to move wrestling up the priority list and the best way seemed to be aquiring at least 30% of that in pre commitments. This is where the AD and dept come in and with the foundations help and support. Exactly as they did for the Carver renovations. Then the next priority, which hopefully can be achieved during the same time farm or even earlier, is to fully fun the HWC. It takes a lot of money to fun each wrestler within the HWC. People here keep talking about David Taylor. getting him to be even interested would most likely financilly be in the $200,000 range. That's just an example as he would be an extreme long shot. However, we do need to increase our reach for outstanding post graduate wrestlers. Top recruits want to work out with the very best. Hope this helps. BTW we have endowed scholarships but recruits really don't care in the least that we do or how many we have. They don't care where their scholarship money comes from and it does not help the recruiting effort in the least. A planned new facility and better compeition in the room will be what draws the top recruites.
 
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I just fired off this email to Barta:

Dear Mr. Barta,

I sincerely hope you take the time to read this email. I just want you to know how important the wrestling team is to the State of Iowa. You have the best coaching staff in the world(not an exaggeration) but you need to give them the tools to succeed. It is absolutely imperative that the University build a sports complex for the wrestling team. In order for the program to be the best in the world, they need the best facilities. Right now, the wrestling program is the only team that has a chance to win a national championship every year. Iowa is known around the world for wrestling. Russia and Iran heard about the Grapple on the Gridiron and just today, a commentator compared Jordan Speith to an Iowa 184 pound wrestler!!!!! The commentator didn't mention Iowa golf or baseball. Give Brands and Company the tools to succeed!
 
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Ok, so if we need $15mm to get a new wrestling facility project off the ground, and need to start this new project w $450,000 bucks, up front. Where do we begin?
$450,000 is 30% of 15 million dollars.

The HWC has nothing to do with this $15million dollars. We need some ideas.
 
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