Rules

 

Rules and regulations are, obviously, needed for any organization to run smoothly and justly. However, a rule should have some built-in leeway for the unforeseen and odd circumstance. As a dean of students who was in charge of examining and enforcing honor code violations, I never wanted a rule to read, for example: If a student steals, she/he will be expelled. That type of rule will force a school to expel a student when certain circumstances may exist, so I  always liked the rule to read may be expelled.

The same goes for seeding tournaments. Rules are necessary, but the rules should allow room for considerations of unforeseen circumstances. For instance, the EIWA Wrestling Tournament begins in about one hour, March 06. The pre-seeds were posted all week, but the rule is that only after the coaches’ meeting yesterday would the seeds be set, depending on the success of the Friday morning weigh in. The conference has its rules concerning seeding, but when coaches follow their own interests, instead of the spirit of the rules, the seeding becomes unjust.

In the 149 weight class, the number four  seed is Matt Kolodzik of Princeton. An undefeated  senior who has wrestled only ten matches this season, he is a three time All-American. However, because of his few number of matches this season, he is seeded low. In fact, he is seeded below the wrestler from Cornell, who he  defeated 4-2 this season. For me, head-to-head competition is the biggest indicator for seeding, but the EIWA coaches seem to be more interested in their individual welfare than what is just.

Rules are necessary guidelines, but only that. When coaches fall back on rules and regulations in order to protect their own interests, athletes suffer. To make a three-time All-American,  proven wrestler a number four seed behind an opponent he has defeated is bad for all. Oh, and the only other seeded wrestler who has qualified for the Nationals, Jared Prince of Navy, is seeded number 5, opposite Kolodzik. None of the other six seeds have had such success.

Rules are only as good as coaches use them. In this case, it seems the rules were used for personal greed.