The Game Plan By Charles Prince

The North Jefferson New



My grandmother had a saying she used to use when it comes to getting big projects taking care of—”many hands make for short work.”

My granny knew that when lots of people pitched in and helped to complete a major undertaking things would get done. She also knew if not enough people helped there would be delays and things would be harder on everyone involved.

Anyone who’s been involved with one will tell you that hosting a high school wrestling tournament is a big project. The Jim-N-Nick’s and Fultondale Invitationals held in our area over the past two weekends are prime examples of this.

The work that goes on to keep a tourney running smoothly is pretty staggering.

The paperwork it takes to run a tournament is daunting to say the least.

Brackets have to be drawn up for each weight class, but oftentimes these change due to wrestlers dropping out for one reason or another.

Each match has to be recorded and the brackets updated. Nowadays, this is done with the help of computer software, but still usually three or four folks are needed at the scorer’s table to keep the results and brackets updated.

Getting the results to the scorer’s table falls on the mat maids, who keep score and then bring the results to the scorer’s table as soon as each match is complete.

However, compiling the results is only a small part of the story when it comes to the work that goes on. Much of it is behind the scenes and out of site of the fans who attend hoping to see their school win a title.

Trash cans have to be emptied often. Bathrooms have to be cleaned and mopped. Concession stands have to be kept stocked. A hospitality room, which provides food and drinks for coaches and officials have to be maintained.

Much of the work done at a wrestling tournament goes unnoticed by the fans who come to see the sport. Many of them may not appreciate the hard work that must be done to put on a tournament with 20+ teams competing like at this year’s Fultondale Invitational.

Coaches, parents and wrestlers and other students often account for most of the work done at a large tournament.

Away from the mats, you can see coaches cleaning and mopping. Parents cleaning and stocking, wrestlers, who have been eliminated from the tournament, collecting garbage bags and transporting them to the school’s dumpster.

Without volunteers who are willing to give of their time and energies, most high school tournaments wouldn’t exist. All the workers at these events deserve a big round of applause and everyone’s thanks for making these tournaments a reality for the fans and athletes alike.