Wrestling at the Arnold Classic

• OhioTofC

  I have recently been approached, by the Arnold Classic people, to see if I would be interested in running a wrestling event during the Arnold Classic. I did attend the Arnold Classic Sports Meeting, on December 1, but the only commitment I have yet made, is that I would have a one on one meeting with Jim Lorimar, who heads the overall Classic, sometime next week.
  
  Obviously, we all know that the event is held the same weekend as the State High School Tournament. There is no way that I want any wrestling portion to conflict with this event, meaning any wrestling at the Arnold Classic would have to occur on Sunday, March 6.
  
  What I did want to get was everyone's feeling on wrestling at this event. I know that past events there have not gone well and I want to hear what folks did or did not like. That way, I can make a honest assessment as to whether wrestling can financially survive at this event.
  
  Please e-mail me suggestions you may have, what entry fee you would be willing to pay (the Arnold Classic gets all gate admission), age groups, should kids have to qualify, should it be open up to non Ohio wrestlers (and if you lived out of state, would you be willing to travel in to Ohio for a Sunday only event), etc... You can e-mail me at [email protected]
  
  Bart Freidenberg
• zambrown

  

  Bart,
  
  I posted this on "another site" as well, but thought we'd get the discussion started here as well.
  
  We wrestled the "Second Chance at State" tourney last year and while the numbers were low, it was well run and efficient. I think the organizers from last year didn't promote it enough. The only thing I ever saw was on the message boards. With better promotion and more awareness, also with your experience running the TOC, I think you could do something really special for Arnold weekend. Here's my two cents:
  
  Q - What entry fee you would be willing to pay (the Arnold Classic gets all gate admission):
  A - I would say no more than $25 if that includes a t-shirt. The idea is to get the ball rolling and create interest to grow the event from year to year. Anything much higher is going to turn a LOT of people off in this economy.
  
  Q - Age groups:
  A - Same as usual, since high school will be over you can add a high school division and an open.
  
  Q - Should kids have to qualify:
  A - No, just let kids come and wrestle. Have the tournament be a double elimination (assuming you get the numbers the first year - otherwise a round robin) with the usual weight classes.
  
  Q - Should it be open up to non Ohio wrestlers:
  A - The Arnold classics is an international event, so I think it should be open to all.
  
  Q - If you lived out of state, would you be willing to travel in to Ohio for a Sunday only event):
  A - I believe they would if there is enough buzz generated. Also, a lot of people come in for the Fitness weekend anyway. Also, for those families who have boys who DO compete at State, it could be a way for younger siblings to get somewhat the same experience - wrestling in a large venue type of thing.
  
  Good luck to you, whatever you decide to do.
• I Wear Pants

  If there is an open division I'd probably wrestle in it.
  
  I know there'd be kids from my high school's team who would likely be interested as well seeing as several already go to the Arnold every year.
• USMCdevil05

  

  Here's the thing. I think if you do a high school division your number will suck, but you may get a few. Little kids and middle school ages are where you're going to make your money here. If you can hit the tri state area hard and get little kids and middle schooolers, then you'll be in good shape. Tell them it is a state championship arena atmosphere and make the name of the tourney like The terminator nationals???? Something catchy with national championsship on the flyers. I thnk they hold the club team nationals at nationwide arena this weekend as well, if so you could always try to co ordinate something with them and have it at nationwide arena. I think you could make some good money here, you wont have alot of the tougher kids in the high schoool division because they would have just wrestled 3 tough days, but you'll get some jkids. I think little kids is where you will make your bank though, hit up the tourneys now and get flyers out and maybe even set up some kind of qualifying events with other tourneys like you do for TofC! If it is a qualifier it makes people feel,like it is a tougher and better tourney.