John Smith, Olympic Champion

[Lyco1990]

Trackwrestling@trackwrestling
https://twitter.com/trackwrestling/status/1238251713242357761

'It was a tough day for them to hear they aren’t wrestling at NCAAs. For the most part, you help them keep everything in perspective and recognize the last time we had a cancellation was the wrestlers ended up going to war. It’s quite different.' -John Smith of @CowboyWrestling

Puts things in perspective. Thanks

 

[Callthestall]

Well said.
People that don't know the story of Bob Feller should read it. The generation of World War II were true heros of our country.
I would think knowing what the soldiers and the public did for the war effort, our country would learn a lot with our current status.

https://www.military.com/veterans-day/bob-feller.html

 

[7brwnpsu]

Nice article, makes you proud to be an American.

 

[PSUAllTheWay]

As fans of a competing team, we may pick on Coach Smith once in a while but I gotta say his comments and approach to handling this with his athletes is spot on. This is a time for a coach to give perspective, help build character, and make athletes realize that life isn't always fair. Glad he said what he said. We have some awesome individuals in our sport guiding the next generation.

 

[matter7172]

I always think of Bill Koll, who fought on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day. I'm sure after that the NCAA tournament was a cakewalk.

 

[osu2082]

As fans of a competing team, we may pick on Coach Smith once in a while but I gotta say his comments and approach to handling this with his athletes is spot on. This is a time for a coach to give perspective, help build character, and make athletes realize that life isn't always fair. Glad he said what he said. We have some awesome individuals in our sport guiding the next generation.

It’s one of the best things about wrestling... It builds great men. We have a bunch of them involved in and leading college wrestling including the guys running the programs in Haply Valley and Stillwater.

 

[CoastFan]

Well said.
People that don't know the story of Bob Feller should read it. The generation of World War II were true heros of our country.
I would think knowing what the soldiers and the public did for the war effort, our country would learn a lot with our current status.

https://www.military.com/veterans-day/bob-feller.html

Ted Williams. Became a Marine fighter pilot. Three years of service at the height of his baseball career.

Of course in more recent times there is Pat TIllman. His sacrifice is so extraordinary that it is still hard to comprehend. All Americans owe guys like that incalculable gratitude.

 

[WaterSt.Nit]

If most young adults are like most of our college wrestlers they may be the next "greatest generation". Very Impressed with their perspective on life!

 

[nitlion6]

Ted Williams. Became a Marine fighter pilot. Three years of service at the height of his baseball career.

Of course in more recent times there is Pat TIllman. His sacrifice is so extraordinary that it is still hard to comprehend. All Americans owe guys like that incalculable gratitude.

Pretty sure Williams lost a total of 5 seasons to military service. 3 in WWII and two in Korea. Still hit 521 or 524 HRs.

 

[GantryZ]

As fans of a competing team, we may pick on Coach Smith once in a while but I gotta say his comments and approach to handling this with his athletes is spot on. This is a time for a coach to give perspective, help build character, and make athletes realize that life isn't always fair. Glad he said what he said. We have some awesome individuals in our sport guiding the next generation.

So true, I probably have expressed disdain for this matside manner one or twice (or 22 times) but in reality Coach Smith is a great coach, person and teacher. Nothing but respect for the guy, I know he always has his athletes and the sport of wrestling as his first priority.

 

[ccdiver]

Trackwrestling@trackwrestling

'It was a tough day for them to hear they aren’t wrestling at NCAAs. For the most part, you help them keep everything in perspective and recognize the last time we had a cancellation was the wrestlers ended up going to war. It’s quite different.' -John Smith of @CowboyWrestling

Puts things in perspective. Thanks

Such a refreshingly positive thread to read through. Thank you for posting/starting this!

 

[golfnit85]

I've never cared for his mat side coach behavior as well, but to listen to him in an interview is really refreshing. He is also really good as the color guy on NBC sports freestyle coverage.

 

[PSUcup1]

Pretty sure Williams lost a total of 5 seasons to military service. 3 in WWII and two in Korea. Still hit 521 or 524 HRs.

Lost 3 complete seasons to WW2
Lost about 95% of 2 additional seasons to Korean War where he flew 30+ combat missions

Ended up with 521 HRs. Can safely say he would have hit about 670 if not for those missing seasons