What do we want for the Badger program?

[Wrestling Guru]

I think we need a massive shake up with recruiting with his connections to Flo and his reputation in the wrestling world, I think it would be worth a shot!

[charteroak1]

Quite the thread.  A lot to absorb, take in and consider.

I do like the "Why Not" from Doc.  But, is Mac a gambling kind of AD or is he more of a proof kind of guy.  If you look at the football and hockey programs and the hires, it's more proof than risk.  I understand these are both revenue sports, so we have to take that into consideration.     

I believe Ben is more than capable with the proper staff to run a D1 program.  With his connections in the wrestling community, business sense, marketing capability and wrestling pedigree, I think he and a staff would do very well.  The only problem as mentioned, is his ability to work cohesively with a University, which I think can be accomplished.  We all know he doesn't need the money and he is well vested in crypto  .

[Wisconsin Wrestling Fan]

What do I want?

A brand-new wrestling room with no vertical beams.

[Harris]

What do I want?

A brand-new wrestling room with no vertical beams.

I think we can all agree with that!

[bigoil]

Ben is a phenomenal coach, it's well proven. So is Coach Bono, Coach Reader and, Coach Gross and I'm sure Coach Model will be in time as well. 

Ben has said he doesn't want to be HC, he just doesn't have time, follow him and he's everywhere, much of the time not in WI. Maybe that changes in time but for now, I think you can dream if you want but don't see that happening.

[VQOriginal]

Max Askren.

[harley25]

John Mesenbrink

[Ledger]

Alex Dieringer

[npope]

What do I want?

A brand-new wrestling room with no vertical beams.

Odd to note that when I wrestled in that room way back in the 1970s there was never a thought given to the existence of the pillars in the room - they were simply part of the experience (good lines for demarking the territory for the little, medium and big guys in the room).

I think with the advent of the recent better facilities around the nation the WI folks (and possibly recruits) became a bit disenchanted with being "left behind" on this front. But on a tangible level, I don't think the pillars had any effect on the development of the wrestlers.

[Wisconsin Wrestling Fan]

What do I want?

A brand-new wrestling room with no vertical beams.

Odd to note that when I wrestled in that room way back in the 1970s there was never a thought given to the existence of the pillars in the room - they were simply part of the experience (good lines for demarking the territory for the little, medium and big guys in the room).

I think with the advent of the recent better facilities around the nation the WI folks (and possibly recruits) became a bit disenchanted with being "left behind" on this front. But on a tangible level, I don't think the pillars had any effect on the development of the wrestlers.

Beyond the "everyone else has a new facility" mantra, the newer out of bounds rules and funk style wrestling have dramatically changed the sport. One toe in and pins and near falls out of bounds need open space to be practiced properly.

We have a world class nutrition program, excellent training staff and great weight room facilities. We need to take the most important part, the wrestling practice room, to the next level.

[charteroak1]

Maybe on episode #7 the guys on the Badger Den Podcast could ask Coach Bono if there are plans for a new room in the former Shell facility.  It would be great to get an update as to if this is happening, as some have suggested. 


Badger Extra Articles on the new facility.
https://badgerextra.com/sports/football/wisconsin-football-practice-facility-plans/article_15a2451a-9950-11ee-8e91-e76a72918e9b.html

https://badgerextra.com/sports/football/heres-what-wisconsin-has-planned-for-a-new-football-indoor-practice-facility/article_5958af58-0169-11ee-8ba3-a74632d5c5ac.html

[DocWrestling]

Sounds like both the Shell and the McClain center are being torn down.  If there was ever the right time to build a nice wrestling room it would be now.  No room for a stand alone wrestling facility

[Ledger]

Hopefully they get some wrestling room ideas from Nebraska and Michigan.

[VQOriginal]

Max head coach. Ben RTC. Then Alex runs Max's room at AWA. Messenbrink as the Badger recruiter. Just spewing ideas

[charteroak1]

I would look at what Iowa, UNI, Illinois, South Dakota State are doing as those would be the rooms either in construction or to be constructed in the near future.  Michigan and tOSU's facilities are also top notch.  Those rooms are going to be the norm if you want to stay competitive in recruiting trail in the future.  With the 200+ million on the Bakke Center and how another 200 million on the football/track facility that there isn't more talk about a new room is concerning.
 

https://gojacks.com/news/2020/12/11/wrestling-facility-approved-by-bor.aspx

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/northern-iowa/uni-panthers/2023/11/09/uni-wrestling-and-athletic-department-releases-plans-for-facility/71486837007/

https://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/university-illinois/new-facility-long-time-coming-for-illinois-wrestling/article_a64144dc-e519-5b24-9c6b-8b421194b56c.html

https://www.hawkcentral.com/picture-gallery/sports/college/iowa/wrestling/2021/09/24/iowa-hawkeyes-wrestling-practice-building-renderings-new-facility/5836476001/