University of Oregon Wrestling In Danger Of Extinction

My understanding is that the University of Oregon Wrestling Program is in danger of extinction. I say it that way as I have been here during the loss of the University of Washington Program, The Washington State Program, The Central Washington program and even some in my home state of Pennsylvania like Slippery Rock.

Those State Colleges were bastions of wrestling prowress and thousands upon thousands of young kids emulated the experiences of the older guys. Leaving the emotions aside and trying to be as positive as I can I wanted to make a statement of support for the Oregon Wrestling Program.

I guess my opinion and a dollar now days will get you a cup of coffee but I will tell you that what I say is sincere and what I believe and have given my life to I believe is in peril.

As a young man and I can't honestly say that I can remember exactly how old I was I played Little League Baseball a big thing in Pennsylvania as I was growing up. I rose through the ranks to be a fairly talented athlete. But to tell you the truth that is not what endears me to the sport.

I remember my Dad coaching , a guy that played sandlot baseball and my mom who passed way before her time at thirty nine , were always there. My mom used to pass the cigar box to collect money for another dozen of baseballs and my Dad was there to coach not because he really had the time , I don't even know if he had the passion. It was just that he wanted to do good things for kids.

Our record was incredible, I have had boxes of trophies from that experience, and that is really nothing compared to the friends I made, the happy experiences and the memories that I still have until this day.

I only mention baseball because it was one of my first experiences related to athletics and the only reason I ever skipped school was to watch Roberto Clemente play in Forbes Field in Pittsburgh. I got caught of course but the experience was great even though I paid dearly for the adventure.

I can remember that the stadium in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania was down the road across the tracks and down a dirt road at the time and one of my fondest experiences was that I left home one night seeing the bright lights of the stadium on and knowing that something to do with athletics was going on and I wanted to be there. I started walking and ended up at the gate without the quarter to get in. It was a track meet held at night and when I got there they were running the relays. The track was cinder of course and I walked around the fence wondering how I could get a glimpse of the spectacle when I noticed some kids crawling under the fence behind the bleachers... I don't have to explain. I remember laying in the grass between the bleachers and the track and listening to the rapid footprints of the runners like hoof beats of horses and the rapidity and quickness , the lights and the spectacular effort of those high school athletes excited me to dream of some day being involved in this sports enterprise.

My next experience was wanting to go to a football game at the stadium , this time with a ticket and without telling my mom. My uncle coming to the game and shaking his head, dressed in his naval reserve uniform, being called out of duty by my mom stating that I was missing. I don't know how they knew to look there but when all of a sudden... I turned my head I saw my Uncle shaking his head and assuring me that I was in a lot of trouble. I believe I was watching Canonsburg and Houston , not of the same size but a fierce rivalry and I believe the Half Back for the Bucanneers from Houston was Norwood Young, I could be wrong but don't be too hard on me it was definitely a long time ago.

I can remember a man named Chuddy Rice who was a boss at the McGraw Edison Plant who ran what we called the YMCA. It was a game called Bombardment and there were two levels on Saturday morning ...fierce and ferocious. I wanted so bad into level two , the second hour. Chuddy was a man that volunteered his time for kids and we loved the experience that he gave to us on those Saturday's.

The High School Wrestling Coach, was also an elementary Physical Ed.Teacher and was my teacher at Hawthorne Elementary School In Canonsburg, Pennsylvania.

The coach was legendary and I will remember his name but what I remember most was that his High School team used to scour the neighborhoods for young guys like me and they would come to our doors and take us to the gymnasium on tuesday evenings to watch the "big guys" wrestle and then we would wrestle and they would bring us home , right to our door step and deliver us to our parents.

In the interest of trying to paint a portrait of what excited me and involved me in athletics I am going to be brief and to the point.

These experiences were ones that can't be surpassed by anything in my life other than my Children , my experience with the United States Marines, and the children that parents have entrusted me to work with in the avenue of Football, Wrestling , Soccer, Weight Training and Baseball.

It has been my platform and I believe my destiny in life to work with these young folks and try to give them the experiences that I was fortunate enough to have.

I have said all of this to say that it is so sad that another University is in danger of losing the last level of years and years of training that these young people have had and not have the chance to cap it off at the top rung. I am not mad at anyone I just believe we are making some decisions that are going to dismantle the purest sport in the world by not finding a way to keep it going at the highest levels.

There is so much bad that can happen to kids, and I am just wanting to express my desire for them to have that opportunity, that goal to wrestle at the top rungs and be involved in a positive activity. I know there are some bad actors that have come through the sport but in all sincerity I can't remember a young man that has not come away from any program that I have been involved in that is not a better person, citizen, family member, contributor to society than those not taking part. We have to find some way to keep the dream alive for these thousands of kids that are participating in the Northwest and now losing another program of great character to belong to.

I don't believe it is title nine, I don't believe it is just money, I don't believe many of the rumors I have heard.

If we feel collectively that this is a pure sport, that it is good for kids and that it makes them better people. We have to find a way to keep it going.

Thanks for indulging me in a trip down memory lane and please support University Wrestling and please help the University of Oregon in any way that you can. They do a great job and they deserve a chance to help serve our kids.

Bob Bodnar

Head Wrestling Coach

Pasco High School

"grappling for excellence"

We put our money in a lot of things a lot less important, let's get behind the University of Oregon Wrestling Program!

Contact: coachbodnar@charter.net

Thanks for your time!