legman

cbg, After watching Matt miss AA by one match in '04 at 133, I saw him wrestle at 125 last season after making the extremely tough cut. He wasn't the same wrestler. He battled his weight so hard every day that he seemed physically and mentally drained when he actually competed. I'm pretty familiar with weight cutting and the sacrifice that these college guys make, but this was too much in my opinion. I definitely think that 133 is the right place for him. Legman

cbg, I've known Matt most of his life and if there's one thing he won't do, it's run from this challenge. No, the way he'll try to AA is to keep working hard with his coaches, keep his ears open for their advice and bang heads with guys like Coach Henson every day. Besides, UTC already has their share of Bradley's favorite sons at 125 with Hank Rains and Shawn Cordell. March is a long way off,....don't write him off so soon. Legman

Sly, Ain't it the truth ?!? I'm like a big old trout in the wrestling lake. As hard as I try not to look at that "sparkling wiggler" lure, I just have to take a quick glance, and then,......BAM !! I'm right back on the line again and fighting with some guy I can't see ! Dang it !! Legman

Redboy, Ironic that you speak of a theory not having support. You first paint Bradley as cowards who "only competed in their comfortable division where they knew they could win". Then, 2 sentences later, you point out that "Bradley goes to the VA duals every year", which as you know, we never won, yet keep going back. How does this qualify as "only competing in our comfortable division". I'm not sure that the teams we wrestled from New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Delaware, etc., etc, were in our comfortable division. which is it...?

Redboy, you were doing so good for one whole post, then... Is every team who doesn't schedule Baylor lowering themselves to the lowest common denominator in order to succeed? Or is it just the team that you happen to be criticizing at the moment? ..and since spydr has already identified himself, let me stop you before you start dishing him your infinite wisdom about how to succeed in life. He was a 2-time State Champion as well as a 2 time recipient of the Outstanding Wrestler award at the State Tournament. Today he is a successful Medical Doctor. I'm not sure that he needs your advice on what a person or team needs to be successful.

Thanks for all of the interest in the scoreclock. I've got two pieces of bad news. First, it's gone. Someone brought a check by to Coach Laxton this afternoon. Second,...I'm an idiot. I should have asked more or at least had a bidding war. Oh well, live and learn, huh? Good luck this season. Steve

Tojo, Steve asked me for years about doing the girl's match and I never did take him up on it. Now that I'm not coaching, I decided to try and do it as a fundraiser for the program. Lo and behold, the Central office shot us down before we had time to blink. We're not giving up totally, but they seem pretty convinced that we'd end up in a law suit. Always the optomists.... Steve

Bradley HS has a new MacGregor scoreclock for sale. It has never been out of the box. We aquired two of them several years ago for the new wrestling room, but decided that we only really needed one of them. This thing has all of the bells and whistles...really nice. If you've been in our room, you've seen it. The closest thing that we found in catalogs runs between $4,500 and $5,500. We'll sell it for $1,000 as we're trying to raise funds for a new mat. If you're interested, contact the Bradley Wrestling room at (423)476-0604.

Rigger, your remarks about the Chattanooga area wrestlers getting OW suggests that those guys were undeserving, yet received their honor only because of their zip code. I can only speak for the Bradley wrestlers, but exactly which one was undeserving? Or was it all of them? Heath Eslinger was a 2 time Champion and 3 time placewinner who went on to become the All-time Career wins holder at UT Chattanooga. He also finished 3rd and 5th ? at the prestigious Midlands tournament. Josh West defeated defending State Champion Shannon Sayne of Halls by Tech. fall in his finals match. He was a 2 time Champion and 3 time finalist. He was a high school All-American, finishing 7th at the Senior Nationals in Pittsburgh PA. Matt Keller was a 4 time State Champion. As a Freshman, he defeated 2X defending Champ, Casey Brewster by a Major decision. He had also beaten defending Champion, Matt Sweeton in the semi's by either a major or a tech. His Senior year he became a HS All American by finishing 3rd at the Senior Nationals in Cleveland Ohio and 5th at the Tulsa Freestlye Nationals (he was also 3rd at the Cadet Nationals the year before in Tulsa). He is currently wrestling for the U. of Nebraska and is ranked 7th in the country in DI. Rusty Blackmon was a 3 time finalist and 2 time Champion. In the finals, he pinned his opponent in somewhere around 30 seconds. He won the Shalles award that year. It's a National award given to the most dominant high school pinner in the nation. He finished 4th in the Country at the Senior Nationals in Delaware, becoming a HS All-American. He's currently in his 3rd year of eligibility at Ok. State University. He was one match from All-American last year at the NCAA tourn. Quinn Gibson was a 4 time finalist and 3 time Champion. He is currently wrestling for Coach Terry Brands at UT Chattanooga. During the Summer between his Junior and Senior years, he drove to Tulsa OK and won the Tulsa Folkstyle Nationals. My point is that these young men acheived these very lofty accomplishments through hard work and dedication. What kind of adult would publically suggest that they somehow were not deserving, but instead were recipients of some type of home cooking? What exactly are your credentials to make such a judgement? Poorly done...

As far as the "next level" question, Howard Langford who was an '85 State Champion at Cleveland HS was also an NCAA Division I All-American at UTC.

Catcall, Because I have been at the helm of that "obnoxious bunch" for the last 14 years, I can't help but take your comments just a little personal. I have no problem with the petty little comments that some posters make because I am aware that this forum is often used as a platform for anonymous cowards. However, because I am fair-minded, I'd like to extend you the opportunity to crawl out from behind your keyboard and place your name behind your words. Surely a person with your strong convictions will be more than willing to do so. I was lucky enough to be surrounded by great kids, great parents, great fans and great administrators for 14 years. Your remarks were vague, mean-spirited and in no way accurately reflect the fine people in the Bradley program. If a "crime" has been committed, it is that these people like to compete and support their team with great enthusiasm. I love Bradley wrestling and the people who support it. They do it with style and they do it well. Slander someone else. ....I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name. Steve Logsdon...the Legman

What a great movie! It's one of those that I can't resist if I'm running through the channels and spot it. Just have to stop for a minute and get my Nicholson fix. Just hope these guys don't order the "code red" on the coaches!

DelaWarr, I couldn't agree more. The plan here seems to be outing these "evil-doers". Let's rush the doors of a yearly meeting already cramped for time and show these "obstructionists" just how we feel. Let's point out that we, the mighty taxpayers pay your lowly salary and if you won't think as we think, then we'll expose your obstructionist ways and your flawed logic... ????? RefTn, here's an alternative idea. If you want to wage a war with the TSSAA, then do it in a proper manner. However, don't pretend that every citizen with a beef has the right to crash and dominate a yearly coaches meeting. These coaches that you hope to "expose" are the same underpaid, underfunded and underappreciated guys who provide a great experience for their wrestlers and great entertainment for thousands of fans across the state. How about just telling them thanks and leave it at that? Legman

I can't speak for the last 5 years or so because we didn't attend, but during the G.P. West era, Brentwoods hospitality room was always something to look forward to. They had this barbeque with different sauces........I'll bet I gained 5 lbs every year. At Bradley, I could never thank those ladies enough for the hard work that they put into it. They totally took the stress from me and handled everything themselves. The same can be said for the way they handled the concession stand, etc. If I never said it enough, thank you.... The only improvement that I have to offer is to the coaches from each school. These rooms are set up and planned with the intention of feeding several coaches from each school. No one wants a coach to go hungry when they come to support your tournament, and all full time coaches should be given complete access. However, no room can or should be asked to feed every part time volunteer, kids club coach, favorite parents, score keeper, manager or the guy who keeps stats. Only the coach from each school can really lay the law down to his own people as to what is proper hospitality room etiquette. When a host school plans to feed approximately 50-70 people, yet end up feeding double or triple that number, it's not hard to figure out why food runs short. Then the hospitality room is labeled as average by the coaches. Now that I have more time on my hands, I watched more than a few times as food was carried out and given to people and wrestlers in the stands at our tournament this year. We tried the hospitality tags (passes) for years, but they were passed around like a virus. This is not the way to thank these fine volunteers from all of our schools who give their time and energy to support our sport, our wrestlers and our coaches. Again, a big thanks to all of the parents and supporters from schools all across the state. Your work makes our sport better and our weekends away from home a little more tasty. Legman

Tophat, I never coached Kenny in H.S. In fact, I think I was in college while he was wrestling for Coach Jackson. I did practice with them some and remember him being pretty mean on the mat. Pretty hard nosed. Ron was a senior when I was a soph. As I remember it, he was Bradley's first ever Region Champ during his junior year. As a Senior, he finished fourth in the State tournament, becoming Bradley's first placewinner. Hixson had a tough 1-2 punch in Mike Blosseer at 167 and Jonathan Smith at 185, which was Ron's weight class. Both won State titles in dominating style. Ron was tough though, and showed us young guys that a Bradley guy really could place at the State Tournament. He got the ball rolling. Kevin Jones was my buddy. In fact, as a Freshmen, he and I attended different Jr. High's and had to wrestle each other three times that year at 119 lbs. We got to Bradley the next year and became good friends. Kevin decided to stay the same size through high school and actually never changed weight classes through H.S. He was the first Bradley wrestler to ever reach the State Finals when he pinned Donnie Fulham from E.R. in the semi's. He was a good friend and a tough guy.

The toughest guy that I coached that fits this category has to be Ben Smith. What a tough son of a gun. Lost heartbreakers both his junior and senior years. Came back tough to finish 3rd both times. The second guy that comes to mind is Josh Keller. Everyone remembers Matt and his 4 titles, but let me tell you, Josh was an unreal talent. State Champs or not, these two were as tough as nails.

Derrick who....?? From where...?? Was beating Quinn when...?? Easily..?? Really...????

lol !

4. Involved Parents Amen!.....

Soms, Couldn't help but notice that you referred to Bayou Bear as "Steve" on one of your Oct 24 posts. Just to keep you guessing, you've got the wrong guy. I do know the old cajun bear, but rest assured he is not me. RMC, You have truly mastered the art of the sandbag as taught by your buddy, Cliff Ramos . Each of your posts brings a grin. You guys kill me.

The "book" is wrong. Bradley HS has just over 1700 students.

KKW, Gotta tell you coach, my wrestlers are like sons to me too. Do you have any idea how frustrating it gets to have 5 sons end their high school careers on such a high note, only to be called stallers, undeserving etc. on these boards? Coming from kids and "never have beens" is not surprising, but for a coach to express that Quinn never should have received either of his State OW awards is a real shame. It serves no purpose. Trying to give Kyle his credit? Everyone has acknowledged that Kyle is an outstanding wrestler and a credit to our state. I've got nothing but praise for him. The guy is a stud and everyone knows it. I'm not sure how many times you received State Tournament OW in high school. But if you ever did, I hope that no-one tried to tarnish your feelings of accomplishment by publically announcing that you weren't quite deserving of either of them. (and yes, by saying that someone else should have gotten the award you're saying that Quinn was not quite deserving). Very disappointing. Coach Logsdon.

Coach Bray, While I appreciate the compliment, I just couldn't sleep well tonight if I didn't set the record straight. As an eighth grader, I met Coach Jackson. He was my Science teacher who had moved to Cleveland to coach the highschool team. Bradley had previously been a laughing stock among wrestling teams and frequently played the victim's role at an opposing schools' "student body" matches. In only a few years, Coach Jackson had completely turned Bradley around. In fact, 2 seasons after arriving, he led us from losing records each year to records of 15-3, 18-0 and 16-3. Along the way, he taught me more about wrestling and about life than I can ever repay him for. He chose to give me the head coaching job in 1991 so that he could spend more time with his daughters, much as I have now done. He left before his years of hard work and his organization of the kids club could truly pay off. Had he stayed, there is no doubt that Bradley wrestling would have thrived under his leadership. I would have been glad to remain his assistant and continue to learn from him as I still do today. He gave me a gift. I accepted it and only continued what my Coach had began long before. If there was no Coach Jackson, there would be no Bradley State Championships and certainly no "Coach" Logsdon. Steve Logsdon

uncfan13, I've listened to your cutting little comments in silence for quite a while now without comment. Anonymous cowards rarely receive my attention. However now, you are presuming to know not only me and my thoughts, but also that I would use a phrase such as "by god". Have we met? I seriously doubt it. My name is Steve Logsdon. Care to share who this is who so boldly slanders me and my program from under some rock somewhere? How about standing behind your words, friend? I'm in the phone book. I'll await your clever avoidance of the question.... Steve Logsdon

Oh.......let's see....Matt never wrestled either of the Keefe's. One was a weight below and one was a weight above. I remember at our tournament, Michael Keefe wrestled Al Morris, who was a State Champ that year. Al won the match 9-7, but I believe Michael was a Soph. at the time, which was very impressive, because Al was a pretty dang tough competitor, and a Senior.