TAKEDOWN RADIO REPORT 5/15/08

Posted on | May 15, 2008 | No Comments

This week we’ll be LIVE from the Brute Adidas Studios and will face the startling news from AZ State right off the bat. There are things we can do politically speaking and we’ll outline those with AZ State head Coach Thom Ortiz. What can be done? What can we do? Tune in and find out. You can make a difference.

Scheduled on the show-

Thom Ortiz- Embattled Head Coach at Arizona State. I think it’s a real possibility we can turn this around. there is precedents and we need to take a look at those examples of what worked and what didn’t. Thom will join us to uncover the truths and what needs to be done right away.

James Nicholson- Old Dominion Wrestler will join us in studio to discuss his freshman year, his 8th place finish on the year and the future. I just worked out around this kid and he looks good. It will be interesting to get his perspective on the year.

Pat Santoro- New Head Coach of Lehigh will join us to discuss his recent move, what he did right at Maryland and what brought him back to the hills and mountains of the valley he called home as an under grad and as a young coach.

David Ertl- Owner of 24 7 Xpress Gym, avid competitive Cyclist will join us in studio to discuss how we train and what we can do to stay in great cardio shape through the summer months using the vehicle of cycling.

Scott McKendry- One of the Chiefs at Team Quest MMA Club in Oregon will join us for an update on the great northwest. TQFC is throwing a grappling qualifying tournament and Scott will tell you how you can get involved and how you can qualify.

Brian Smith- Head Coach of the Tigers of Missouri will join us to discuss his teams architectural structure, summer camps and opinions. Like everyone, Brian has opinions and we want to hear his on the developing story that is AZ State.

Bob Steenlage- Fighting Back: The Inspirational Story of Bob Steenlage (Paperback) The inspirational true story of amateur wrestling legend Bob Steenlage who graduated from West Point and was traumatized by his service in Vietnam. Bob became a recluse and raised his family with home schooling. After a 20 year hiatus from society he came to grips with his problems and became an accomplished public speaker. Bob’s life story is Being looked at for a motion picture treatment.

About the Author

Mike Chapman is considered amateur wrestling’s greatest historian and writer. He is the author of 15 books and hundreds of magazine articles. He recently retired from a 35 year career in newspapers, and a retired from directing the International Wrestling Institute & Museum in Waterloo, IA.

What can we do for AZ State right now:

Form a committee with people who can help you achieve everything you can to reinstate the program. Get people involved who can help you develop this plan to save the program and who can get access and the attention of the following list of people. Put your case on paper with how you want these people to help you:

Ø Governor of Arizona- Write and call

Ø State Regents for Higher Education- Write and call

Ø State and U.S. representatives, congressmen, and senators, Write and call

Ø Contact Major figures in the state like Jerry Colangelo…

The ASU trustees, president and A.D. have already approved the decision and will not respond to backlash unless it comes from above their heads.

Develop with the help of a Public Relations consultant, a marketing plan that will help sell this story on the university’s denial of opportunities for wrestlers like Anthony Robles. See if ESPN, local and other national media affiliates will help make the case for the “little guy”. Talk to some lawyers and see what case should be made for our PR efforts.

This is OUR sport. WE must fight for it! We must not wait for others to jump on the band wagon. We must take control and right the ship that is wrestling. We’ve made some great and positive strides by adding wrestling programs. Don’t let the decision to drop wrestling at AZ State rest in the hands of those that don’t give a rip about the sport or the people it benefits. Get involved and stay involved.