Minnesota/USA Wrestling

See message below regarding what is required for coaching matside.  This will be enforced this year.   

If you ALREADY have your Coaches membership purchased, you do not need to read this message, skip to the message below on what is required.  If you have NOT purchased your membership card yet, READ this message and the message below.

Coaches memberships require a background check that needs to be done online PRIOR to the card being purchased.   This background check only needs to be completed ONCE every 2 years, so if you completed and passed it last year, you do not have to do the background check again this year.  The National office made a change to the process this year and will NOT allow me to update a membership without the background check being done.  They were having to refund too many memberships when the background checks did not come back favorable.

Therefore, in order to purchase your Coaches card at the State tournament, you will NEED to bring along with you a copy of your invoice that says you submitted the background check, prior to arriving at the tournament. 

The process for getting your floor pass will be a lot faster if you have a copy of your coaches card with you.  We will form two areas at the conclusion of the meeting, one for those coaches with their cards in their hand, the other where we have to look them up.  If you need to purchase the card, you will want to do that prior to the Coaches meeting (remember to have the invoice from your background check with you).

Please do not hesitate to contact Donita Flodeen if you need assistance printing your coaches membership card.  507-263-3964 (home) 612-709-1932 (cell)

Requirements for coaching matside at a Minnesota State tournament in 2010.  Requirements for out-of-state events are determined by the specific tournament.

For State Greco and/or State Freestyle, clubs must provide volunteer mat officials, tableworkers and pairing officials in order to receive a coaches pass.   In addition.....

You must have a current USA Coaches Membership and......

 #1)  Attend a short 20 minute coaches etiquette meeting (there are 3 of them scheduled before the tournament begins)

#2)  Pay a $10 fee for a floor pass and have that floor pass displayed at all times.

#3) Pay a $5 fee for a floor pass if you bring back the floor pass and display wallet from the previous year.

NO COPPER OR BRONZE CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED FOR THE MN STATE TOURNAMENT

In Addition:  Coaches with a current Bronze card and current USA Coaches membership card will get a Free Coaches Floor pass without having to attend the "etiquette" clinic.

Beginning with the 2008-2009 membership year, coaches were required to submit to and pass a background check.  This process is being mandated and implemented by the National office and is required once every two years.  A background check performed by another entity will not satisfy the requirements from the national office.  To find out more information about this process, go to http://www.themat.com/forms/2008_Background_Policy.pdf

To complete the background check, you first must obtain a current membership. You can either purchase this online ($40.00) or through the State office ($35.00).  (See membership tab for specific information).

Once your membership has been purchased, if you did not complete a background check last year, you will then log into the membership site.  Go to http://www.usawmembership.com/  There are two options for you, one for those that already have they logon id and password, and one for those that do not.  If you do not have your logon id and password, after clicking the appropriate link, a box will appear that you will need to enter in your email address.  This email address needs to match the email address you provided when you obtained your current membership.  Within a few minutes, your logon id and password will be emailed to you. (You may need to turn off "cookies" on your computer in order to get the box requesting your email address).  Once you have your logon id and password, log back into http://www.usawmembership.com/  You will then be instructed on how to complete the background check.  There is a cost associated with this process, so please have a credit card available.

Once you have passed your background check, you will receive an email.  You will then want to log back into the membership site and print your coaches membership card.

If you have any questions on this process, please do not hesitate to contact Donita Flodeen at 507-263-3964.

Bronze level certification is required for certain Regional/National level tournaments.  To find out more informaton regarding this certification, please visit the National Website www.themat.com and click on the Coaches Corner.  There will be information regarding the clinic's or contact Chris Willaert at cwillaert@mnusawrestling.org phone: 507.382.0988 for more information

 Recently we have had MN/USA clubs hosting some fine open tournaments.  However, it still remains a struggle getting help officiating these tournaments.  We have had a few new “unregistered” officials step forward but not near enough to fill the void that we will be facing in a few years if we don’t bring some new people into the officiating ranks. 

As I have stated in the past MN/USAWR has taken the position to not allow clubs to have coaches passes to be on the floor of the state tournaments unless that club has a working licensed pairing, mat official, and set of table workers representing their club. MN/USAWR will work with clubs to develop these officials but we cannot find them for you.  Don’t expect MN/USAWR to back down on this requirement.  It would be irresponsible of the organization if we don’t establish a ongoing supply of officials to work the tournaments.  The weekend open tournaments are a great way to get your feet wet as and official and get a little practice.

MN/USAWR will provide assistance to all new officials by doing the following:

·   No officials will miss watching their son or daughter wrestle we will make that guarantee.

·   On site clinics to explain rules and procedures. You just have to call me to schedule a time.

·   Someone to work with when you begin officiating so you have backup for questions.

·   You will enjoy the experience.

Call or email me with names of your officials or if you have questions.

Tom Kuisle, MN/USA Mat Officials Director

507-767-3002