I recently attended a state wrestling tournament that left me questioning the legitimacy and fairness of our current system. To my dismay, I found no concessions available, no hospitality room, and the apparel vendor was selling last year’s gear that had already been bought with our membership money. Moreover, Greco-Roman wrestling was relegated to a back room, and there was no video coverage through platforms like Flo or YouTube. Perhaps most concerning was the fact that the tournament was not seeded, and when questioned, the Vice President deflected by saying, "That’s not what the PIN rating is for." But offer zero FS/GR tournaments leading up to state for experience or PIN. Many wrestling families won’t compete in our duals because of a poorly run process with no written rules. 

The current state of affairs in USA Wrestling reveals a glaring lack of professionalism and fairness, which prompts the need for urgent change. To ensure fair competition and a thriving wrestling community, it's crucial to reconsider who holds decision-making power. We need new board members who can prioritize the needs of athletes and families, and who understand what it takes to run credible and organized events.

One significant reform we should institute is clearer conflict-of-interest guidelines. For instance, individuals with children actively competing should not partake in vital roles where impartiality, such as overseeing weigh-ins, is essential. This simple change can drastically reduce biased decisions and ensure fairness for all competitors.

Furthermore, limiting board positions to one per household and ensuring each individual holds only one vote regardless of the number of roles they occupy will further reduce potential conflicts of interest and bring transparency and fairness to our governance. All of these issues were brought to the board last year and nothing was done. 

We have a chance to rejuvenate USA Wrestling by instilling a culture of transparency, fairness, and commitment to athletes. By signing this petition, you will be supporting necessary reforms that could illuminate the path toward a more equitable and competitive wrestling community. Let's come together to build a better future for our athletes and the sport we cherish. Please sign and help make these critical changes a reality.