Important Information!

A short time ago I got in a conversation with Gary Wells, the head coach
from Oregon State University. During our conversation, he shared with me the
goal and desire of OSU to become a top 5 national powerhouse. To say the
least the thought of having the Northwest being considered prominently as a
national power is exciting and not far from deserving I might add. That
conversation led from one thing to another and ultimately to OSU coming up
and doing a clinic at Newport H.S. on June 2nd and 3rd. Incidentally, I have
also had similar conversations with Chuck Kearney of the University of
Oregon.

I am sure that there are many ways to accomplish the recognition of
wrestling for the talent that it has in the Northwest. Rather than turning
the theory/fact into a bunch of committees where talk is the result, a small
grass efforts has been born on the shoulders of a clinic on June 2nd and
3rd. Hopefully there will be many more similar and divergent efforts that
share this same goal. I can speak directly to the Vision Quest effort from
the state of Washington as an example of such an effort. Heck, USA Everett
goes a long way towards achieving national recognition, thanks in large part
to the Web site done by Dave Gilbertson.

The clinic mentioned above was put into motion too late to have a great
organizational effort behind it, but enough time in advance to achieve the
beginning of a coordinated effort on the part of local Universities, High
Schools, Jr. Highs and area clubs to take notice and contribute. I'm sure
there will be vast room for improvement of the product, but that comes in
the future. Right now is a clearly defined opportunity for those who receive
this to respond. OSU will do its part in bringing up national caliber
coaching and young heroes that our kids can get excited about. Eastside WC
will do its part in hosting the event. What can you do to contribute? Can
you bring some kids to this? Can you pass the word? Can you put out some
concrete effort in the next few days to add your two cents? Can you do more
than just a momentary thought, so the result of your effort directly leads
to kids registering for the clinic?

Eastside WC will make money from this event. All of the funds will be
contributed to regional, national and international events for kids from our
club. I have begun to talk with the U of O, Boise State, and Arizona State
to begin to help crystallize their energy towards this important goal. (I
realize that Arizona is a little on the fringe, but there is no harm in
robbing from Peter to pay Paul). I mentioned to Becky Swartz the other day,
Brad Swartz's wife of Vision Quest, of how we could use our efforts to
support the Vision Quest goal thereby further enhancing the state of
Washington on the national frontier. I've talked with Ken Chertow, previous
Olympian, about how we could use his services to help us make an impact on
the east, and he proposed some very exciting opportunities. I talked with
Dave Gilbertson, USA Everett, and mentioned to him that maybe we could do a
clinic on the north end of the state utilizing their club. Maybe there are
clubs from the south or east or whatever that could participate in the
future. I've even got a few efforts stirring that have some real excitement
behind them, but I'll wait until they gel a little more before we let the
cat out of the bag. Many of the dads I've talked with have continued the
refrain of wrestling being added to the UW.

The possibilities do more to become a distraction at this point. Simply
stated we need registrations filled out with checks attached. The clinic
will be on Friday, June 2nd, with two sessions from 5:00pm to 6:30pm and
7:30pm to 9:00pm and Saturday, June 3rd, with two sessions from 10:00am to
11:30am and 12:30pm to 2:30pm. Kids through H.S. are welcome. The coaching
will be excellent. OSU's head recruiters will be there for those of you who
are inclined. The cost is $20.00 for one session, $35.00 for two sessions
and $60.00 for all four sessions. Newport H.S. is directly off of I-405 in
Bellevue (off the Coal Creek Pkwy. exit and up the hill a few hundred
yards). Coaches are welcome to observe for free. This is an urgent issue,
for we need to let OSU know how many assistant coaches to bring up.

I have plenty of fliers with registration forms at my disposal. My home
phone is 425/831-7187 and my email is sphaas@msn.com. I would love to be
inundated by your inquiries. I am attaching a letter to coaches and the
flier that I scanned in for your further investigation.

Let's face it, nobody is ever going to get the total Northwest together
resulting in what we would all like to see (visions of Iowa/Oklahoma run
through my head). Maybe we can begin to "do" things that when added together
lead to better organization and greater results. My hat is off to the state
USA Wrestling charters from Idaho, Oregon and Washington, to Schools like
OSU, the U of O , Boise State, Newberg HS, Crater HS, Lake Stevens HS and
Moses Lake HS, Clubs like USA Everett the Mat Rats, Pitt and the Cobras and
to statewide efforts like Oregon's cultural exchange program and Vision
Quest for their part to take a stand and make a difference. Heady stuff,
well maybe, so again I ask what can you do to help this effort? Call, write
and send a kid or two.

Sincerely


Scott F. Haas
Eastside Wrestling Club

Eastside Wrestling Club

45404 SE Tanner Road

North Bend, WA 98045

Phone: (425) 831-7187

Fax: (425) 831-5693

May 3, 2000

Dear Coach,

I am writing to introduce to you a special opportunity. Some of the best wrestlers in the nation from Oregon State University, a national top 25 team, are putting on a wrestling clinic in Washington. Their goals are simple. They want to help the sport of wrestling grow by nourishing the sports young competitors. They bring with them the best that coaching has to offer on a national level. They are genuine heroes your kids can get close and personal with. They believe it’s time for wrestling in the Northwest to rise to a position of national dominance. I get excited just thinking about it!

This is a real opportunity for you to play a part. Will you join us in beginning this new grass roots effort to bring back honor to the sport of wrestling in the Northwest. The final results won’t be seen for years to come, but the work begins now. Your part is simple; we need you to get two to five kids to sign up for the clinic described in the attached brochure. Your kids can attend one or all of the sessions. The price has been kept as low and flexible as possible to help make the decision an easy one. All coaches are welcome to come and observe at no charge; we only ask that you bring your kids with you. Maybe your school could provide a scholarship for one or two of the most deserving kids.

As I get older, I choose very carefully how I spend my energy. More and more I want to target only those things that will have a lasting value. Let me assure you, this is one of those events. Give us a few hours of your precious time; together let’s do a good thing. I’m looking forward to meeting you and your wrestlers at the clinic. Please find the time to introduce yourself to me, so I can personally thank you for your decision to help better the sport of wrestling.

Sincerely,

Paul Kaiser, Head Coach
David Howard, Mark MacAllister, Scott F. Haas, Parents