Be a Leader and Role Model
As most of you know I typically include an article in our weekly emails that addresses some
aspect of wrestling, technical, mental, physical and some other guidelines to help wrestlers
improve. With a new year upon us, I want to take this opportunity to encourage and challenge
all wrestlers to become leaders and role models in their community. I’m not simply talking
about being a leader in the wrestling room. The majority of our club wrestlers are very
dedicated and I have no doubt that in their practices they lead the way with their work ethic,
skill set, and approach to being successful. What I want to address today is the importance of all
wrestlers being role models in their communities and in their classrooms. Many people are not
that familiar with wrestling so they judge the wrestling community as a whole by the limited
number of wrestlers they may know in their community and the way that wrestlers act is a
reflection upon all of us. I strongly encourage everyone to make a greater effort than ever
before to hold themselves to the highest possible standards. No matter what those around you
are doing, take the high road and focus on your priorities and achieving your goals. If others
around you are taking a different path have the strength to do what you think is right and not
give in to the habits of those who are less focused.
An example of where I believe all wrestlers can be leaders is with bullying, a topic that has
received much attention lately in our society. Being a bully on the mat within the rules is fine
but bullying people who are smaller or younger for no reason is not what our sport needs and
does nothing positive for anyone involved. As we all know most wrestlers are typically tougher
and stronger than many of their peers. I'm not suggesting that wrestlers should get involved
physically if they witness bullying but what I am suggesting is that they have the courage to
stand up for someone who may need it.
In terms of academics and conduct in the classroom, it is essential that wrestlers represent our
sport and themselves in the highest possible manner and set the standard for other athletes
and the student body. Being academically responsible and conducting themselves appropriately
is a must and all wrestlers need to understand this. I can guarantee that wrestlers who do well
academically and are viewed positively by their teachers will have far more options when it
comes to wrestling or even attending college.
The last area where wrestlers need to live by higher standard is the choices that they make
socially and who they choose to associate with. This is also the area that I believe most closely
aligns with the progress wrestlers make on the mat. If your goal is to be a champion you need
like one in all areas and making the right choices socially is a critical one. Surround yourself with
like-minded and goal oriented people who live the same lifestyle that you do. Don’t worry
about what others are doing or what they may think of you, focus on yourself and your success.
It's often said that the values that are learned through wrestling like discipline, goal setting and
hard work serve those who participate in our great sport for the rest of their lives. I agree with this and I would like to see all wrestlers take another step in a positive direction by leading in
areas outside of wrestling. As important as is it is to be a successful wrestler, it is ultimately
more important to be a successful person. By choosing the right path and by being willing to
make tough decisions because it's the right thing to do wrestlers learn another very valuable
lesson that will also serve them for the rest of their lives. Everyone is different and some people
are naturally more inclined to lead however all wrestlers can be positive role models in their
community who lead by example on and off the mats.
