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THIS WEEKEND the Ohio Valley wrestling community will be graced with the presence of the world's most elite grappler as Bobby Douglas will be part of a three-part technique clinic at Wheeling Park High School.
"I always want to give back to my roots, I feel comfortable giving back in clinics and giving the kids the opportunity to get an education," Douglas said after getting off a conference call to select the next U.S. Olympic wrestling coach.
Douglas says two of the big things he wants to start promoting to Ohio Valley wresting community is the need for more technical wrestling and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a staff infection.
"We want to promote the legacy of wrestling in the valley," Douglas commented. "Wrestling is the greatest sport in the world and there are tons of scholarships out there for kids to go to college."
Those words mean a lot coming from Douglas, who was born into poverty before rising to the top of the wrestling world.
"I've always stressed education and was fortunate to get one because of wrestling," Douglas said as he holds both his bachelor's and master's degree.
After becoming the first black Ohio high school state champion capturing the 112-pound crown for Bridgeport, he went on to wrestle at West Liberty State College and won the NAIA title and was runner-up at the NCAA Championship.
Douglas' hard work and talent led to a transfer to Oklahoma State, where he won the Big Eight Conference 147-pound crown. The Cowboys never lost a dual meet with Douglas in the lineup and captured a pair of conference championships and the 1964 NCAA team title.
"We want to send an educational message out and let them know they can go farther than you think with wrestling," Douglas said. "Technically the valley is very behind on the mat. With improvement on the mat students can start that process of raising the level of competitiveness and have an opportunity to compete at the college level."
Going farther than anticipated was proved in great lengths for Douglas as he has been inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame following his enshrinement into the NAIA Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1985.
On the topic of MRSA, Douglas says he is very concerned with the new skin disease that could take wrestling by surprise if coaches and wrestlers doesn't do their part.
"MRSA is a new mutated staff infection which can be transferred in the air," West Virginia Rules Interpreter Dr. Bill Welker said.
"This disease is a public health issue," Douglas referred to the new infection. "Everyone can loose time because of this skin infection. It has a lot to do with good hygiene.
"Kids have to take showers and clean their gear. When we have the first death we will loose the sport. Our mission is to educate the wrestling community and make people aware."
For an area that is already declining in the number of wrestlers, Welker says MRSA is an infection that teams want no part of.
"Wrestling is not a sport for everyone. It takes a special student to go into and survive," Douglas said.
OVERTIME
THIS WEEKEND'S three part clinic will also encompass Welker and legendary Oak Glen mat mentor Larry Shaw. The technical and tactical skills training session will be broken up between the three beginning today at 7 p.m.
DOUBLE OVERTIME
THE GREATER Wheeling Wrestling Association, host of the clinic, will be taking wrestlers the day of the clinic. For those registering at the door, be there between 5:30 p.m and 6:45 p.m. at the Wheeling Park High School wrestling room, located down the hall from the activities entrance.
The cost is $60 per wrestler, but if two or more wrestlers from the same team register the cost will be $50 per wrestler.
Cook can be reached at b’>bcook@timesleaderonline.com’>bcook@timesleaderonline.com