Expectations

[Ghetto]

Anyone have Cody Goebel on the "gonna qualify for NCAAs" card?

Super happy for him. Great Big 19 tournament for him.

Say what you want, but the Badger wrestlers keep on doing their thing, regardless of the crabby old dudes on this forum.

[Healthy and happy]

If someone told me 5 years ago that we would be worse than Maryland and we'd be desperately trying to stay away from a last place finish in the Big 10 tournament I would have had a heart attack from laughing too much.
First this has nothing to do with the athletes because I know they are trying their best, but Bozo should be embarrassed with how he has run this program into the ground.
Oh and all you Bozo defenders with the same tired excuses (NIL, facilities, and AWA) please don't bother commenting because your acceptance with this garbage is 1 of many problems associated with this program.
Lastly for those that really truly believe the tired excuses are valid go take a look at Little Rock and how they've somehow managed to not just start their program, but also build it into a competitive team that would absolutely slaughter our Badgers squad.

It is ok to be critical but here is a novel idea.  Maybe try being a little more civil and have some constructive ideas??

[wrestler_73]

Congratulations to the Badger qualifiers.  Overall you exceeded expectations.  Wishing you all the best in two weeks in Philadelphia.

As Badger wrestling fans on a forum, are we content with this season?  How does this get better, or does it get worse because our best athletes have left us the last couple years.  If this was basketball, football, or volleyball...how would fans react to these results?  This is a forum for discussion, celebrations, and concerns.  No decisions are being made.  How many former Wisconsin high school students are NQ or will be All-Americans this year?  Next year, the following year??  It's not working. The answer is right in front of us.

[Handles II]

Anyone have Cody Goebel on the "gonna qualify for NCAAs" card?

Super happy for him. Great Big 19 tournament for him.

Say what you want, but the Badger wrestlers keep on doing their thing, regardless of the crabby old dudes on this forum.

Exactly!
All of the badgers have continued to improve, and surprise throughout the season.

[Tuco]

If someone told me 5 years ago that we would be worse than Maryland and we'd be desperately trying to stay away from a last place finish in the Big 10 tournament I would have had a heart attack from laughing too much.
First this has nothing to do with the athletes because I know they are trying their best, but Bozo should be embarrassed with how he has run this program into the ground.
Oh and all you Bozo defenders with the same tired excuses (NIL, facilities, and AWA) please don't bother commenting because your acceptance with this garbage is 1 of many problems associated with this program.
Lastly for those that really truly believe the tired excuses are valid go take a look at Little Rock and how they've somehow managed to not just start their program, but also build it into a competitive team that would absolutely slaughter our Badgers squad.

Why is Luke Fickell having such a hard time getting top notch football recruits? Seemed to do a better job at Cincinnati. Wisconsin – Madison coaching positions are not the ideal dream job that you and others believe they are. For those that don't believe NIL and facilities are an important factor you are very misinformed. Look at the wrestling facilities at Little Rock and SDSU. So much better than Madison. West Virginia's booster club (Country Roads Trust) raised $1M in May of 2024. All of their athletes receive a piece of the pie right down to the person on the end of the bench. What does Madison have?

[Paul_Hewson]

If someone told me 5 years ago that we would be worse than Maryland and we'd be desperately trying to stay away from a last place finish in the Big 10 tournament I would have had a heart attack from laughing too much.
First this has nothing to do with the athletes because I know they are trying their best, but Bozo should be embarrassed with how he has run this program into the ground.
Oh and all you Bozo defenders with the same tired excuses (NIL, facilities, and AWA) please don't bother commenting because your acceptance with this garbage is 1 of many problems associated with this program.
Lastly for those that really truly believe the tired excuses are valid go take a look at Little Rock and how they've somehow managed to not just start their program, but also build it into a competitive team that would absolutely slaughter our Badgers squad.

Why is Luke Fickell having such a hard time getting top notch football recruits? Seemed to do a better job at Cincinnati. Wisconsin – Madison coaching positions are not the ideal dream job that you and others believe they are. For those that don't believe NIL and facilities are an important factor you are very misinformed. Look at the wrestling facilities at Little Rock and SDSU. So much better than Madison. West Virginia's booster club (Country Roads Trust) raised $1M in May of 2024. All of their athletes receive a piece of the pie right down to the person on the end of the bench. What does Madison have?

Very well said. And Little Rock has all kinds of dough. It is not just coaching that is to blame. Outisde of men's basketball, badger athletics are on the decline. I have to wonder if the AD has something to do with this.

On a positive note, Rivera is a legit threat at a weight that is quite literally wide open ! Would've liked to see him against Lilledahl. Excited for NCAAs regardless - I think Zan can surprise people and congrats to Cody on the upset!

[Army Ant]

I agree that the Badger wrestlers did well this year, considering expectations. Congrats to the improvements that many of these wrestlers made.

I'm not saying that Bono is a bad person, or a bad coach. The problem is that there's an obvious perception of both in the wrestling community here. Even if he does a great job from this point forward, I don't see any way that he crawls the wrestling program out of this hole in the foreseeable future. None of the blue chip prospects want to come here (I think Rivera was the last one, if you even consider him that). That takes a LONG time to change.

That being said, I don't know if McIntosh cares much about the wrestling program, if we even keep the program around, so maybe Bono stays for now.

[Hungus]

If someone told me 5 years ago that we would be worse than Maryland and we'd be desperately trying to stay away from a last place finish in the Big 10 tournament I would have had a heart attack from laughing too much.
First this has nothing to do with the athletes because I know they are trying their best, but Bozo should be embarrassed with how he has run this program into the ground.
Oh and all you Bozo defenders with the same tired excuses (NIL, facilities, and AWA) please don't bother commenting because your acceptance with this garbage is 1 of many problems associated with this program.
Lastly for those that really truly believe the tired excuses are valid go take a look at Little Rock and how they've somehow managed to not just start their program, but also build it into a competitive team that would absolutely slaughter our Badgers squad.

Why is Luke Fickell having such a hard time getting top notch football recruits? Seemed to do a better job at Cincinnati. Wisconsin – Madison coaching positions are not the ideal dream job that you and others believe they are. For those that don't believe NIL and facilities are an important factor you are very misinformed. Look at the wrestling facilities at Little Rock and SDSU. So much better than Madison. West Virginia's booster club (Country Roads Trust) raised $1M in May of 2024. All of their athletes receive a piece of the pie right down to the person on the end of the bench. What does Madison have?

SDSU facility was a massive fundraising campaign that Damien Hahn started once BOZO left.
a 4 million dollar project
This can be replicated at UW but someone has to have the fire to get behind it and drive it, the way they 1/2 arse the RTC raffles I doubt the current staff could fund raise to build a facility.

[wrestler_73]

Excuses and Alibis from those that support and lead a losing program/organization.  It can't be done...blah, blah, blah.

[wrestle03]

Why does it appear that most of you are okay with accepting mediocrity?  This program is a dumpster fire.  Nothing but excuses for poor results.  The fact that SDSU was able to accomplish a massive 4 million dollar fundraising campaign after Bono left is proof that it can be done.  But that would take hard work - something that I dont think Bono wants anything to do with.  He seems okay sitting back collecting his 250K salary per year.  The results this year wont change the reality of this program.  No blue chippers are coming to WI.  Complain about NIL and blame it on everything that you want - but in order to compete in the new landscape of college sports you need to get out there and fundraise and get donors.  Bono hasnt done any of that and he clearly does not have the personality to do it either.  With the overall issues of the athletic department in general, I would not be surprised to see this program hit the chopping block.

[Tuco]

Why does it appear that most of you are okay with accepting mediocrity?  This program is a dumpster fire.  Nothing but excuses for poor results.  The fact that SDSU was able to accomplish a massive 4 million dollar fundraising campaign after Bono left is proof that it can be done.  But that would take hard work - something that I dont think Bono wants anything to do with.  He seems okay sitting back collecting his 250K salary per year.  The results this year wont change the reality of this program.  No blue chippers are coming to WI.  Complain about NIL and blame it on everything that you want - but in order to compete in the new landscape of college sports you need to get out there and fundraise and get donors.  Bono hasnt done any of that and he clearly does not have the personality to do it either.  With the overall issues of the athletic department in general, I would not be surprised to see this program hit the chopping block.

Those that continually complain on here should start the fundraising campaign. You are most likely younger and have more pi$$ and vinegar than us old dudes.

Why not replicate WVU fundraising program? I know, you guys don't have enough time. Complain and don't get involved sounds like a bunch of lazy (deleted word) fans to me.

[wrestle03]

Tuco - I call a spade a spade.  Sorry if it hurts your feelings.  Why would i get involved in any sort of fundraising when the coaching staff themselves dont do any ??  Bono and crew is okay with mediocrity - he still gets his 250K a year so why does he care?  He dont.

[Tuco]

Tuco - I call a spade a spade.  Sorry if it hurts your feelings.  Why would i get involved in any sort of fundraising when the coaching staff themselves dont do any ??  Bono and crew is okay with mediocrity - he still gets his 250K a year so why does he care?  He dont.

He doesn't or he does not is better grammar.

It doesn't hurt my feelings. Negative people usually never offer any sort of plan for improvement. Since you don't believe Bono cares for a winning team (I doubt that is the case), why continue to view the forum? Come back after a new coach is named if that happens.

[npope]

Why does it appear that most of you are okay with accepting mediocrity?  ...

I am just a fan of a (college) team. That doesn't give me the right to expect that they win more than they lose (or anything else)...I am simply a fan. I am a fan when they win - I am a fan when they lose. I am no less vested when they win or when they lose. I am a fan. My life is not affected in any other way than me merely being a fan of the team. There comes a point when people need to understand that a fan does not run the team...although they will forever have the right to cheer (or boo) but in the end, the reality is that they are still only a fan. Or they can choose to not be a fan.

Geeez guys, it's just a collegiate sport and some of you are so terribly entrenched in this notion of living vicariously through the exploits of others...21 year old kids much less, that most of us have never even met.

A little perspective is called for.

[vsmf2010]

Why does it appear that most of you are okay with accepting mediocrity?  ...

I am just a fan of a (college) team. That doesn't give me the right to expect that they win more than they lose (or anything else)...I am simply a fan. I am a fan when they win - I am a fan when they lose. I am no less vested when they win or when they lose. I am a fan. My life is not affected in any other way than me merely being a fan of the team. There comes a point when people need to understand that a fan does not run the team...although they will forever have the right to cheer (or boo) but in the end, the reality is that they are still only a fan. Or they can choose to not be a fan.

Geeez guys, it's just a collegiate sport and some of you are so terribly entrenched in this notion of living vicariously through the exploits of others...21 year old kids much less, that most of us have never even met.

A little perspective is called for.

Nat,

I was having some very similar thoughts when I saw several posters talk about how "embarrassed" they were about this teams results. I thought how strange it is to be embarrassed about something that really has nothing to do with you. Why is a fan of any sport embarrassed about the results? The results have no impact on your identity or self worth.

Like you I root for the Badger wrestling team win or lose. To take it a step further. Wrestling is an individual sport where they happen to have dual meets with winners and keep teams scores at tournaments. As a HS coach I did not give 2 sh**s about dual meet wins and tournament scores and I do not really care about that for the Badgers either. I root for the individuals to excel and progress. I respect the hard work they put in and the reward is the journey and what you learn from it. The most important thing to me personally is that the Badger team is a group of hard working young men who respect the sport, their competitors and their teammates and coaches. If they happen to be WI HS kids that is a bonus. I am probably in the minority with this opinion but so be it. Go Badgers!