Until these programs get it right, they will continue to do it the wrong way.
As a coach of three sports with athletes ranging from the age of ten through high school, I realized that the coaching I provided to the youth of those sports was the most important. In the high school years, wins and losses came to hold more importance, but for me, during my years in youth coaching, other factors mattered more than whether an athlete won or lost.
Today, all of my former charges are at least 60 years of age (personal photo)
I learned the value of slogans because it seemed to me that a catchy phrase was remembered by my young charges as much as anything else. Thus, one of my phrases was, “It’s better to lose right than to win wrong.” I said that because in youth sports, a ten-year-old may have to compete against a twelve-year-old, and at that age, a two-year difference gives most twelve-year-olds a huge physical advantage.
I taught the older athletes not to rely solely on physical power to win, but to utilize the fundamentals of their sport. This was especially important in wrestling, where moves were used rather than relying solely on strength in matches, thereby avoiding physical overpowering of a younger and likely weaker opponent. Wrestling the right way mattered more than the result of a game. Lose right instead of winning wrong.
Recently, as I have been reading about wrestlers leaving Penn State or the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club, I have reflected on my teaching of those youth athletes and how the importance of doing the right thing was emphasized over doing the wrong thing, even if that meant a loss. The same belief applies to teams. Bad habits and philosophies, such as prioritizing winning at all costs, ultimately lead to defeat.
There is no dispute about the victories of Penn State wrestling and the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club. Out of that environment have come NCAA Division-1 All-Americans, NCAA Division-1 team titles for the school, as well as multiple successes in the world of Olympic and World Championship freestyle wrestling. Success on the mat, indeed.
Yet, something seems to have gone wrong with both programs because wrestlers have left the school and club for reasons allegedly related to intoxication, drug-related issues, resisting arrest, sexual assault, and/or theft in a team locker room. Yes, these are just charges, dismissals, and departures at the moment, but somewhere in all that lies the truth, which will eventually emerge.
However, I question where the coaches were who taught these athletes. Did they create a forgiving atmosphere that turned aside when confronted with charges of vile sexual acts as long as matches were won? Did they not know of certain physical abuses during team practices or of reported thefts from lockers? Did they disregard wrongs to win?
I don’t know the answer to any of these questions, and everyone is innocent until proven otherwise. However, I know that every fire produces at least some smoke, and it seems to me that not all of these accusations or unfortunate departures of wrestlers are just gossip.
Whatever the outcome of this unfortunate situation, both wrestling programs have suffered. Yes, they may continue to win championships and even Olympic medals, but unless fundamental ethical changes are made, the programs will not be champions. Until these programs get it right, they will continue to do it the wrong way.
