While 2020 was trying for the world and the sport of wrestling, Delaware USA Wrestling has spent the year organizing and preparing to improve the wrestling culture in Delaware. In September of 2019 we had our first meeting as a reconstituted organization and by February our coaching staff had developed a technique curriculum. We rolled out a practice schedule and a structured Path to Fargo. We had one tremendous week of multi-site state practices before we were forced to shut down.
We have created by-laws for this revised organization, have a new financial account and our executive committee has been meeting weekly since June. We are creating a coaches committee which will have the responsibility of recruiting athletes and creating teams and practice schedules for events.
NOT REPLACING ANY OTHER ORGANIZATION
Delaware USA Wrestling has existed since USA Wrestling was created in the early 1970’s. Each state has its own chapter of USAW. In 2000 several Delaware coaches decided to organize and train athletes to help them compete better in Fargo. We held our first State Freestyle and Greco tournament and took 23 athletes to the Nationals. Since then, Team Delaware, the name solely designated for DE USAW, has entered teams in all of the major USAW events: Schoolboy Duals, Cadet Duals, Junior Duals and Kids Nationals and significant scholastic tournaments.
There are several Delaware wrestling organizations that support and promote wrestling. Most notably: Delaware Wrestling Alliance, the DIAA Wrestling Committee and the Delaware Wrestling Coaches Association. Both the Committee and DWCA focus on scholastic-sanctioned wrestling within the state of Delaware while the DWA has a broad scope of activities - running the Beast of The East, organizing the State Awards Banquet and providing financial support for off-season wrestling programs and scholarships. USAW is the national governing body for Freestyle and Greco Roman styles and its main focus is non-scholastic competition.
Since both the DWA and DE USAW aim to help Delaware athletes compete at regional and national events their goals will overlap. For this reason, the organizations have agreed on a Memorandum of Understanding that identifies how both organizations will cooperate to achieve the same goals.
DELAWARE IS UNIQUE AND POISED TO TAKE OFF
DE USAW is our state's connection to the national governing body, USAW. We believe it is time for USA Wrestling's presence to begin to shape our state’s wrestling culture. We feel it is necessary for Delaware USAW to begin advancing so wrestling in Delaware can thrive.
Geography is our friend - Delaware is uniquely situated between states that are hotbeds of wrestling, all of which have a strong USAW presence. With Pennsylvania and New Jersey to the north and Maryland, one of the fastest growing states for USAW enrollment to the west, Delaware is in a prime location for wrestling success. We also believe our state has an advantage because our size allows us to easily practice together. Ten years ago, we were able to accomplish this, having as many as 100 athletes practicing together and one of our goals is to bring that back. We were on our way last year and believe Delaware wrestling is poised to take off once quarantine restrictions are eased.
Youth programs in Delaware are beginning to take advantage of USAW’s comprehensive insurance coverage and other benefits. This has increased membership and is getting more of our youth wrestlers connected with the state-regional-national pipeline. With Smyrna, Sussex Central and Caesar Rodney youth programs becoming DE USAW-affiliated clubs, the change is on!
OUR CULTURE
Offering opportunities to train and compete is our mission. However, we do not want to be just a vehicle for winning wrestlers; we want to be the engine of transformation that molds young aspiring athletes into good people and productive citizens and to help them achieve their fullest human and athletic potential. We want our young wrestlers to believe they are a part of something that is bigger than themselves.
Our values are: Presence, Effort, Attitude and Service. Part of every practice will be dedicated to teaching and coaching one of these values. For example, the value of Service is what we want to instill in our older athletes. Part of our practice structure calls for an hour of developmental practice where experienced athletes will be encouraged to give back by helping teach novice wrestlers.
It is our hope that practicing and training in Delaware’s program will instill a sense of pride in the First State. A pride that will inspire them to give back and help their community long after their wrestling days are over.
I’M A COACH. HOW WILL DE USAW HELP ME?
If you are a coach you will have many ways to benefit by joining the movement. Your off-season program is already in place, all you have to do is inform your athletes of the opportunity. At practices, your wrestlers will be taught technique from a curriculum developed by some of the nation's top coaches at USAW. They will be coached with the same effort, passion and concern for values that you would use in your own room.
USAW sends out their stars to do clinics for USAW clubs. If your youth club uses USAW insurance you might be able to get Jordan Burroughs, Kyle Snyder or Helen Maroulis to do a clinic for your program, for free!
DE USAW has the curriculum and tools you may be able to use in your high school wrestling room. Our curriculum has what we call “crossover technique”. These are moves and series’ that can be used in two, or all three styles of wrestling. Using this with emphasis allows your beginning wrestlers to understand that Freestyle and Greco are not so intimidating. In addition, it increases their wrestling IQ because it gets them asking questions and becoming self-teachers. Also feel free to call on our coaching staff to help you with your own program.
Join the movement, train with US.
I’M A WRESTLER. HOW WILL DE USAW HELP ME?
USA Wrestling is your ticket to the next level of wrestling.
I’M A PARENT. HOW WILL THIS HELP MY CHILD?
USA Wrestling will give you all the information you need to help your child improve. You will have access to local tournaments after scholastic seasons have ended and be able find the regional and national tournaments your child needs to improve his/her skills and test their abilities. DE USAW will give your child access to a strong room, the state’s best coaches and the training regimen recommended by Delaware’s top technicians.
Character development! In addition to training for these events DE USAW is concerned with developing character - we want your child to be the best person he/she can be during and after their wrestling career.
DE USAW is a family. We give your child and you a chance to belong to the Delaware wrestling community in a meaningful way.
Exposure! The Cadet and Junior Nationals are recognized by all of the college coaches as the event that America’s best wrestlers seek to win. More college coaches go there than any other high school event. Kids Nationals and Schoolboy Duals are recognized by all coaches and wrestlers as the true national events for youth wrestlers. These events prepare your child for the next level and perhaps college wrestling.
Join the movement, train with US.
Kurt Howell, Chairman DE USAW
Jeff Stevenson, Vice-Chairman DE USAW
Gary Collier, Secretary DE USAW
Gary Munch, Coaching Director DE USAW
Aaron Harris, Juniors Director DE USAW
Stacy Kinser, Womens Director DE USAW
Michael Jordan, Officials Director DE USAW
We have created by-laws for this revised organization, have a new financial account and our executive committee has been meeting weekly since June. We are creating a coaches committee which will have the responsibility of recruiting athletes and creating teams and practice schedules for events.
NOT REPLACING ANY OTHER ORGANIZATION
Delaware USA Wrestling has existed since USA Wrestling was created in the early 1970’s. Each state has its own chapter of USAW. In 2000 several Delaware coaches decided to organize and train athletes to help them compete better in Fargo. We held our first State Freestyle and Greco tournament and took 23 athletes to the Nationals. Since then, Team Delaware, the name solely designated for DE USAW, has entered teams in all of the major USAW events: Schoolboy Duals, Cadet Duals, Junior Duals and Kids Nationals and significant scholastic tournaments.
There are several Delaware wrestling organizations that support and promote wrestling. Most notably: Delaware Wrestling Alliance, the DIAA Wrestling Committee and the Delaware Wrestling Coaches Association. Both the Committee and DWCA focus on scholastic-sanctioned wrestling within the state of Delaware while the DWA has a broad scope of activities - running the Beast of The East, organizing the State Awards Banquet and providing financial support for off-season wrestling programs and scholarships. USAW is the national governing body for Freestyle and Greco Roman styles and its main focus is non-scholastic competition.
Since both the DWA and DE USAW aim to help Delaware athletes compete at regional and national events their goals will overlap. For this reason, the organizations have agreed on a Memorandum of Understanding that identifies how both organizations will cooperate to achieve the same goals.
DELAWARE IS UNIQUE AND POISED TO TAKE OFF
DE USAW is our state's connection to the national governing body, USAW. We believe it is time for USA Wrestling's presence to begin to shape our state’s wrestling culture. We feel it is necessary for Delaware USAW to begin advancing so wrestling in Delaware can thrive.
Geography is our friend - Delaware is uniquely situated between states that are hotbeds of wrestling, all of which have a strong USAW presence. With Pennsylvania and New Jersey to the north and Maryland, one of the fastest growing states for USAW enrollment to the west, Delaware is in a prime location for wrestling success. We also believe our state has an advantage because our size allows us to easily practice together. Ten years ago, we were able to accomplish this, having as many as 100 athletes practicing together and one of our goals is to bring that back. We were on our way last year and believe Delaware wrestling is poised to take off once quarantine restrictions are eased.
Youth programs in Delaware are beginning to take advantage of USAW’s comprehensive insurance coverage and other benefits. This has increased membership and is getting more of our youth wrestlers connected with the state-regional-national pipeline. With Smyrna, Sussex Central and Caesar Rodney youth programs becoming DE USAW-affiliated clubs, the change is on!
OUR CULTURE
Offering opportunities to train and compete is our mission. However, we do not want to be just a vehicle for winning wrestlers; we want to be the engine of transformation that molds young aspiring athletes into good people and productive citizens and to help them achieve their fullest human and athletic potential. We want our young wrestlers to believe they are a part of something that is bigger than themselves.
Our values are: Presence, Effort, Attitude and Service. Part of every practice will be dedicated to teaching and coaching one of these values. For example, the value of Service is what we want to instill in our older athletes. Part of our practice structure calls for an hour of developmental practice where experienced athletes will be encouraged to give back by helping teach novice wrestlers.
It is our hope that practicing and training in Delaware’s program will instill a sense of pride in the First State. A pride that will inspire them to give back and help their community long after their wrestling days are over.
I’M A COACH. HOW WILL DE USAW HELP ME?
If you are a coach you will have many ways to benefit by joining the movement. Your off-season program is already in place, all you have to do is inform your athletes of the opportunity. At practices, your wrestlers will be taught technique from a curriculum developed by some of the nation's top coaches at USAW. They will be coached with the same effort, passion and concern for values that you would use in your own room.
USAW sends out their stars to do clinics for USAW clubs. If your youth club uses USAW insurance you might be able to get Jordan Burroughs, Kyle Snyder or Helen Maroulis to do a clinic for your program, for free!
DE USAW has the curriculum and tools you may be able to use in your high school wrestling room. Our curriculum has what we call “crossover technique”. These are moves and series’ that can be used in two, or all three styles of wrestling. Using this with emphasis allows your beginning wrestlers to understand that Freestyle and Greco are not so intimidating. In addition, it increases their wrestling IQ because it gets them asking questions and becoming self-teachers. Also feel free to call on our coaching staff to help you with your own program.
Join the movement, train with US.
I’M A WRESTLER. HOW WILL DE USAW HELP ME?
USA Wrestling is your ticket to the next level of wrestling.
- Practices and development for wrestlers of all ages and abilities.
- Higher tier wrestlers peer-coaching developing athletes.
- Competitive wrestling room – High quality partners and college/Delaware HS grads returning to roll.
- USA Wrestling is how America's best athletes get connected to college coaches. USAW regional and national events are attended by more college coaches than any other events.
- USAW offers clinics by America’s greats at its clubs. It would not be a surprise to be taught by Kyle Snyder, David Taylor or Helen Maroulis at a DE USAW practice.
- “Crossover” techniques, skills used in all three styles, are emphasized. It’s not just Freestyle.
- Character development! Equally important to training, DE USAW is concerned with developing character. We want you to be the best person you can be during and after your wrestling career.
I’M A PARENT. HOW WILL THIS HELP MY CHILD?
USA Wrestling will give you all the information you need to help your child improve. You will have access to local tournaments after scholastic seasons have ended and be able find the regional and national tournaments your child needs to improve his/her skills and test their abilities. DE USAW will give your child access to a strong room, the state’s best coaches and the training regimen recommended by Delaware’s top technicians.
Character development! In addition to training for these events DE USAW is concerned with developing character - we want your child to be the best person he/she can be during and after their wrestling career.
DE USAW is a family. We give your child and you a chance to belong to the Delaware wrestling community in a meaningful way.
Exposure! The Cadet and Junior Nationals are recognized by all of the college coaches as the event that America’s best wrestlers seek to win. More college coaches go there than any other high school event. Kids Nationals and Schoolboy Duals are recognized by all coaches and wrestlers as the true national events for youth wrestlers. These events prepare your child for the next level and perhaps college wrestling.
Join the movement, train with US.
Kurt Howell, Chairman DE USAW
Jeff Stevenson, Vice-Chairman DE USAW
Gary Collier, Secretary DE USAW
Gary Munch, Coaching Director DE USAW
Aaron Harris, Juniors Director DE USAW
Stacy Kinser, Womens Director DE USAW
Michael Jordan, Officials Director DE USAW
