legman

Shared some heated State Duals finals vs. Clarksville over the years... Coach Manning was always gracious and a true gentleman regardless of the situation... Best of luck, Artie! - Steve Logsdon

NOPE!... Wrong again.. Moving it to one of the two upper gyms in Jim Smiddy Arena...More room for any parents that may want to hang around and watch! See you there..

Actually, the camp will take place in the Bradley Wrestling building behind the gym.

I enjoyed competing against Coach Miller's teams as both a wrestler and a coach.. I was even able to compete for him in the old "Black and Blue Takedown Club" in the early 80's. He always welcomed me into his wrestling building to work out with Johnny Lennon, and was in fact, the first guy to shake my hand (after my coaches) when I came off the mat in the '84 State Finals.. I never met a guy who loved our sport any more than Coach Miller. Congratulations, Coach! - Steve Logsdon

What a great video and a great tradition...! Anyone who has put on a headgear will appreciate this piece. Thanks for sharing it...

This is truly one of the "Good guys"... Get well soon, Coach Mann.

As I sit here in my daugher's room at Erlanger, I will answer this natural question, since it might be difficult for someone else to. Two weeks ago today, my 15 year old daughter decided to "get some sun" by laying out on a very sloped driveway. When my twenty year-old daughter returned home, she had no idea, and no way of seeing Tenlie and actually ran over her. As terrible as the injuries have been, we fully realize what the potential outcome could have been. With time, she is expected to make a full recovery. We will spend another 2-3 weeks here in the IMICU before moving to Siskin Rehabilitation Hospital for several more before getting home. The outpouring of love and concern has been humbling, overwhelming and very much appreciated. As both of my daughters work toward healing, both physically and psychologically, I can't thank my friends enough for caring for, and loving my girls.... - Steve

Soms, I have tolerated you over the years because I've always felt that It's ok to disagree, yet still be respectful of one another. Frankly, I don't concern myself with your opinion, and Tennessee wrestling history will remember me however it chooses. Personally, I had a great time and can never repay this sport for what it has brought to my life. The back-handed compliments and vague criticisms have worn me down. Your public disrespect toward me masked as compliments have worn thin. You and I have had our last conversation. You can now disrespectfully condemn that decision of mine also.

Nice job, B.B.... You really did your homework for this one! StarRaider is right about the old Black and Blue Wrestling Club, except that it went at least into the 1980's. I remember many practices in the old Cleveland wrestling building when I was in H.S... "Johnny" Lennon would come back from wrestling at UT and was kind enough to show me the lights. Believe it or not,... good memories!

Well deserved, Coach Stoika... You've outlasted us all, and done it with a lot of class. -Steve Logsdon

My wife and I were on a little Gatlinburg get-away last year and I somehow found myself attending the finals of this tournament as a spectator. That match alone was worth the trip. The PA team caught a tiger by the tail when they ran into those Georgia boys from Jefferson. Great match! High level. Fun stuff... Maybe I'll be able to sneak away again this year for a little bit.... Steve Logsdon

BCB, I wanted to speak to your son after the tournament, but I didn't get the chance. Please tell him that he is an impressive young man. I've watched him compete and win like a Champ many times, yet it is in defeat that he shows his character. I've watched him lose some very close, heartbreaking matches through his career, yet never waiver in his maturity and sportsmanship. Not only does he control his emotions, but he always offers a sincere congrats to his opponent complete with eye contact and even a quick embrace. I've tried to teach my wrestlers that Wrestling is only the tool that we try to use to help them learn life lessons and become good men. Jack has obviously learned many lessons along the way. I know you must be proud of the man he is becoming. Steve Logsdon Bradley Wrestling

Coach Peck, ... What a great post. Thank you for taking the time. Very refreshing to see such sincere language in trying to smooth out a rough spot. Same can be said of my friend and assistant, Coach Smith. Well done. I don't post often on CoachT, but since I have now, let me share my first reaction when I heard that we had Ravenwood in our half of the bracket at the State Duals. I told my wrestlers that no one should even think about looking past you guys. Well coached and hungry to succeed. It was all the motivation I needed to scout you in both your first and second round matches. I remember last season at the Traditional State tournament. The reaction of your guys when Mr. Chege won his State Title was emotional to watch... True joy. He had broken the ice for future Ravenwood Champions, and everyone knew it. True, I'm a Coach, but I'm also a fan of our great sport and all of it's athletes and their struggle to succeed. Good luck to you in the coming weeks. Steve Logsdon BCHS Wrestling

The Bradley Wrestling Family is extremely sad to hear this news. Roger was a huge UTC supporter, but we also claim him as a Bradley Bear. He not only supported us at matches and tournaments, but has come to our defense more than a few times on this forum! We'll miss him....

Jeff Eaves was the 1984 TN. State Champion at 185 lbs. He wrestled at Tyner along with Jeff Haven and Brad Jackson who were both pretty dang tough that year.

Boys, boys, boys....... Thanks for the defense, but it's not necessary. In the past 18 years, I've probably travelled this path several dozen times. You're spinning your wheels,.....wasting your time,.....beating your head against the wall,....... The two sides will never agree. Like Republicans and Democrats or Methodists and Baptists,..everyone thinks that their side holds the truth and they seldom will be converted. And unfortunately yes, there is usually some name calling... Let it go. (but thanks for the effort...) -Coach Logsdon

Sexy, remember those years of Triathlon back on Team Subway? Well I was none too fast back then, but I would sure like Santa to give me those 25 year old legs and 25 year old lower back, even if just for a little while. At my advanced age, I've developed a healthy appreciation for youth. Everytime I run, bike, swim, wrestle, etc, I'm reminded that while we may all think that wrestlers are the toughest guys out there, there ain't a badder dude around than "Father Time"! Hope Santa comes through because I'm getting low on Ibuprofen...

RC, I'm getting married during the Christmas break....What are my odds of wrangling a double wide and maybe a sidecar for my motorcycle? A man has to plan for his future, ya know!

Mine is usually a grocery list. I just get really hungry sometimes. If it's during first semester and I'm using a crayon, then it's a letter to Santa.

I agree with much on both sides of this discussion. My wrestling mentor was Coach (Turner)Jackson, who was a 2X DII Champion. In our discussions over the years, he has told me several times that he would have traded both of his National titles to have been a DI All-American. He failed to make weight once and lost close matches his Senior year. This attests to the fact that DI is a tougher, more respected tournament and competition level in general. With this said, however, let me also illustrate that there are exceptions. During his career, he also had wins over 3X DI Champion (and OW?), Mark Churella (Michigan)...2X DI Champion and OW, Mike Sheets (Ok State)... and DI National Champion, Ricky Stewart (Ok State). Obviously, this type of performance is the exception rather than the rule, but still impressive regardless of classification.

You people kill me..... First of all, what makes you think that I am in the business of airing my laundry on a silly message board or seeking the council of anyone outside of my wrestling family or friends? My record is pretty clear. Whether it be discipline, internal decisions, or who I choose to (or choose not to) schedule, I tend to migrate toward the opinions of those who I respect, then try to do what I think is the right thing. That process does not include this message board. The following is not my laundry,...just setting a few things straight. Secondly, the reason that this anonymous forum is often so offensive to me is that a person gets on here and can basically say whatever they want, true or not about someone they've never even met (or maybe have met) and there is no sense of ownership or responsibility for the statements. True, untrue, slander, lie, whatever... And then, if I respond with the facts or defend myself or my people, then we're just thin-skinned and must be insecure or guilty or something,...anything..! Lastly, this "person" who is making these statements is wrong. The only truth is that I did speak to several schools' coaches regarding this matter. Two coaches...and our conversation went like this,..........oh wait,..it's none of your business. Nor are the conversations with my wrestlers, parents, supporters or people involved with this situation. The "letter" to Hamilton County schools?....a complete lie,..a fabrication. It never happened. Nor did any letter to any school or school system anywhere. The "e-mails" to David during the season?..again, a complete lie. I never talked to David via e-mails, texts, letters, morse code or anything else. Never! The only exchange that he and I had was at the Hoover Inv. last month. As we passed in the gym, it went like this..."How's it going David?"....."Good, Coach..".......................................Someone call the recruiting police! Some of you guys add a lot to this board and to our wrestling community. And some of you are just pitiful, full of anger and hidden agendas. Funny thing is, I'v'e been at this since 1990 and have been the target of some pretty mean little attacks, but I've yet to be approached/attacked as a man by a man face to face. That's because the real men who have had a question about me or my program have done it face to face and I appreciate those guys. The best idea that I can think of is for you to go back to school, get an education degree, find a teaching job, get hired as the schools' wrestling coach, then show me how it's done with your example. I crave your wisdom. Steve Logsdon BCHS Wresling

rusty, I think I've only posted once or twice in the past year. Usually, I only post when yet another twist of the truth is applied to my team, our fans or myself. If you noticed the article, the writer was not very well versed in wrestling terms, but was a heck of a nice guy. I've coached wrestling for 17 years and have been in the sport for almost 30. Do you really think that I was accurately quoted when I "said" (in reference to my team) that they "played" their hearts out ? Then why are you so quick to jump on the other obvious misquote? Did you suppose that I thought that "maybe no-one will know....."? C'mon, use a little common sense and at least attempt to smear our program with something that makes sense. My wrestlers were gentlemen, our fans were great and Soddy just flat out took it to us. I can certainly accept it when they look you in the eye, shake your hand, then whip you. It's you guys hiding anonymously behind your screen name as you misrepresent facts with your half-truths that I can't handle. Continue to assume the worst in people that wear different colors than you. You seem to have a real knack for it. Steve Logsdon BCHS Wrestling

Let me set the record straight....I'm not fighting, punching, kicking or pinching anybody. I shot a perfectly harmless low single yesterday in practice and my 145 lb Sophomore layed my eyebrow open with a savage knee. Had to go to the emergency room and get a head full of stitches. Man, I was tapping out before I hit the mat! I'm now officially a passifist..... Peace ! Legman

Although out of coaching for several years now, I occasionally find my way to the stack of scrapbooks that I accumulated over 14 years. What I find are great memories that were captured in words many years ago by a sportswriter, often the Chattanooga Times/Free Press, as it was known. These guys are overworked and underpaid, yet only they can offer this gift to our sport. They give us recognition and they preserve our memories. My own scrapbooks from high school are somewhere in the closet, but I wouldn't trade them for anything. Those writers from the early 80's gave me that gift and my mom stuck them in a binder for me to have in case I need a little trip down memory road sometime. Guys like John Hunt, Dick Cook, Paul Schultz, Eddie Davidson, Kelley Smiddie, Stan Crawley and Ward Gossett gave these gifts to me, my wrestlers, their parents, our fans and the entire wrestling community. I have a real hard time coming down on these guys too awful hard just because we didn't always see things through exactly the same glasses. They are friends of our sport and I choose to treat them as such.

Funny thing is,...I never aspired to put myself in any class at all. Just loved to watch young guys dream big, then try to help them go reach it. It's the same thing another man did for me over twenty years ago. Let someone else worry about records and "classes". It's not those championships that I miss the most now,...it's the relationships that our sport builds. Those are my best memories.