Who's #1 Singlet Shorts

[Sidenote]

I don't think it's a coincidence that we had 3 NCAA champions last year that are black despite probably being 5% of D1 wrestlers.

---

If race makes you uncomfortable, think of it in sole terms of, if kids had options on what to wear in competition you would get more kids out. More kids experience a great sport.

 

[Azchief32]

Wait. What.

Evidently, he has never seen this guy:

 

[purescurve]

I don't think it's a coincidence that we had 3 NCAA champions last year that are black despite probably being 5% of D1 wrestlers.

---

If race makes you uncomfortable, think of it in sole terms of, if kids had options on what to wear in competition you would get more kids out. More kids experience a great sport.

Sidenote, I have a legitimate question and would appreciate an honest answer. If a person has mixed parents where one happens to be black how come they always say they are black. I have never heard anyone say they were mexican, white, oriental, whatever. Why?

 

[Blackcat97]

I normally only lurk on this board...but I just want to say between this thread and the Marinelli dream thread, you guys are great, and I am being 100% sincere. Pure comedic gold. I think we all need wrestling to start soon.

 

[lookleft goright]

I frequently wore a singlet over a rubber suit. Of course I am old enough that it was legal then! Hated pouring the sweat out after practice, turning it inside out for the washer.

I frequently wear my singlets to weddings,barbecues, fund raising events and everything. Come to think of it, I haven't been invited to as many of those as I used to.

My understanding is that the people promoting the sport feel it is easier to sell shirts and shorts to kids to knock around in than it is singlets. Kids wear a t shirt of their favorite baseball team or player etc. It ill take time to get the style that catches on.

 

[wasdt21]

yea I missed that chief,should have put 2 and 2 togeather with the w. Wilson reference, but any way thank you everyone for not letting this discussion get ugly. the potential was definitely there.peace

 

[artradley]

You mean like in practice?

I mean like any tournament where singlets aren't required.

I will admit that my son liked singlets, so this is not universal. But as a guy who spent a dozen years attracting kids to the sport for our rec program, I can tell you that the number one thing that kept kids out of the sport was singlets, and the number one thing that people who aren't in the wrestling community laugh about, it's singlets. People make fun of them, and kids don't like to be made fun of. It's such a simple thing, I don't understand the visceral reaction to the idea from so much of the wrestling community.

 

[Azchief32]

I mean like any tournament where singlets aren't required.

I will admit that my son liked singlets, so this is not universal. But as a guy who spent a dozen years attracting kids to the sport for our rec program, I can tell you that the number one thing that kept kids out of the sport was singlets, and the number one thing that people who aren't in the wrestling community laugh about, it's singlets. People make fun of them, and kids don't like to be made fun of. It's such a simple thing, I don't understand the visceral reaction to the idea from so much of the wrestling community.

You do understand that kids in junior high make fun of everything and they get embarrassed a lot, right? Is this all about smuggling frank and beans?

I personally never got embarrassed but most people make fun of wrestling because of two sweaty dudes rolling around on the mat together.

 

[OILCHECKER]

I mean like any tournament where singlets aren't required.

I will admit that my son liked singlets, so this is not universal. But as a guy who spent a dozen years attracting kids to the sport for our rec program, I can tell you that the number one thing that kept kids out of the sport was singlets, and the number one thing that people who aren't in the wrestling community laugh about, it's singlets. People make fun of them, and kids don't like to be made fun of. It's such a simple thing, I don't understand the visceral reaction to the idea from so much of the wrestling community.

I've been coaching for 25 yrs from the beginner PK-K level up to High School varsity and I can't recall ever hearing of a single kid not coming out for wrestling because of the singlet. I'm sure some kids that have never tried the sport may not be in love with the look of the singlet but I've never had anyone (kid or parent) tell me they aren't going out for or quit wrestling because of it. Do you have any links to studies with actual numbers that indicate that the wrestling singlet is causing participation numbers to drop?

 

[pablow]

I almost passed on this thread because I thought it was about singlets.

 

[Azchief32]

I almost passed on this thread because I thought it was about singlets.

A foodie thread...got some fried chicken and franks and beans in it.

 

[24 so far]

A foodie thread...got some fried chicken and franks and beans in it.

It's all about The Colonel folks. All about The Colonel.

 

[Stanley75]

I don't think it's a coincidence that we had 3 NCAA champions last year that are black despite probably being 5% of D1 wrestlers.

---

If race makes you uncomfortable, think of it in sole terms of, if kids had options on what to wear in competition you would get more kids out. More kids experience a great sport.

Only 2 without cox though.

 

[Sandor45]

I've been coaching for 25 yrs from the beginner PK-K level up to High School varsity and I can't recall ever hearing of a single kid not coming out for wrestling because of the singlet. I'm sure some kids that have never tried the sport may not be in love with the look of the singlet but I've never had anyone (kid or parent) tell me they aren't going out for or quit wrestling because of it. Do you have any links to studies with actual numbers that indicate that the wrestling singlet is causing participation numbers to drop?

I've encountered several kids that have told me they want to try out for wrestling, but they just don't want to wear the singlet. A few of those kids were a bit overweight, so wearing a singlet is really putting yourself out there making them feel even more self conscious.
Simple change to compression shorts and a tank top would without a doubt increase youth participation in wrestling

 

[Sandor45]

I also would like to see more Americans that happen to be black in the wrestling room. Not be cause of their "athleticism" but because I think wrestling makes them better people.
While we're at it, let's get more Hispanics and Asians and any other ethnicity involved more.

 

[Cali_Nittany]

Wow, I finally caught up on this thread. Pure entertainment! Well done everyone!

 

[Jaybird319]

Didn't we have this discussion last year and the year before.

 

[pablow]

Athletes? My wrestling buddies are mostly black - some awesome ex-DI wrestlers. At tournaments we generally find a basketball court to kill time between sessions. Lord, lord, lord - such a pitiful sight. I'm not sure that the word athletic comes to mind.

 

[el dub]

In junior high (back in the 70's) they made us wrestle matches in singlets over tights. I remember the first time putting on those tights and overheating immediately. I hated competing in that outfit. Movement felt restricted. I think everyone was so happy when the tights went away that the singlet was accepted immediately and without second thought.

 

[JBJRFL]

Athletes? My wrestling buddies are mostly black - some awesome ex-DI wrestlers. At tournaments we generally find a basketball court to kill time between sessions. Lord, lord, lord - such a pitiful sight. I'm not sure that the word athletic comes to mind.

What color are they then? Or did you mean that most of your wrestling buddies are black?

 

[Jhrosewrestling]

Hey guys, some may know me from the other boards, but first timer here.

Although I wish he had put it more delicately, sidenote is correct. Allow me to rephrase for more tasteful consumption:

Wrestling has always struggled to attract athletes from diverse demographic groups. While wrestlers of color have demonstrated great success in our sport, we do not see them represented in as great a proportion as in mainstream sports. While lack of earning potential is probably the greatest reason for this (per papabears point), the uniform could serve as a barrier to entry for athletes from cultures where the tight fitting uniforms are not widely embraced (see basketball). While I am of the belief that wrestling needs more participants across all ethnic groups (not just black athletes), strategies to target potential athletes from underrepresented demographics in this country is a wise stepping-off point for growth.

The singlet is engrained in our wrestling culture. If we want to attract athletes who don't have our wrestling culture engrained in them (and specifically for this discussion the black community at large), its time to think outside of what we have come to accept as the norm.

I happen to love and prefer the singlet. I love and prefer new people trying the sport more.

 

[AFHawk86]

I don't understand the strong connection that many have with the singlet. I could care less what the wrestlers are wearing, and if it means we could create a buzz and attract more young athletes to the sport then I'm for it. Many have called for rules changes to make the sport more entertaining, why not uniform changes as well? What would it hurt?

 

[wasdt21]

i'm with you af I do not understand the resistance to change if indeed there are better alternatives, but I do enjoy messing with those who are so over the top on either side of this issue.i do not care what they wear.i would hope that the people in power would take a look and not be held back by tradition.

 

[WWDMHawkeye]

In junior high (back in the 70's) they made us wrestle matches in singlets over tights. I remember the first time putting on those tights and overheating immediately. I hated competing in that outfit. Movement felt restricted. I think everyone was so happy when the tights went away that the singlet was accepted immediately and without second thought.

We wore tights, too. So did most D1 programs back then, for that matter. I remember thinking how odd it looked when they quit wearing tights. Doesn't look so odd anymore -- but the tights kinda do!

 

[WWDMHawkeye]

I don't understand the strong connection that many have with the singlet. I could care less what the wrestlers are wearing, and if it means we could create a buzz and attract more young athletes to the sport then I'm for it. Many have called for rules changes to make the sport more entertaining, why not uniform changes as well? What would it hurt?

Agree, AF. I don't care what they wear. That said, I don't think the singlet is the massive impediment to growing the sport that some people think it is. I think it's a very minor issue.

 

[pablow]

i'm with you af I do not understand the resistance to change if indeed there are better alternatives, but I do enjoy messing with those who are so over the top on either side of this issue.i do not care what they wear.i would hope that the people in power would take a look and not be held back by tradition.

Over my dead cold body

 

[el dub]

First match in junior high and I was one of the lightest guys. Came out of the locker room at an away dual and am pretty sure I was still ruminating over the tights when the kid from Sibley hit me with a blast double to back. LOL I remember Mike Sauer imploring me from the bench not to get pinned and me looking him in the eyes from across the mat and shaking my head in the negative. I did come back to win that match, but still blame the momentary lapse on the tights.