Why is there not an 11th weight class?

[BrucePa]

I'm looking for an answer for why there isn't a weight class between 197 and 285. And while we're on the subject, why did Unlimited become 285? I'm sure there's a solid reason for the existing weight classes as they are, but someone with a working knowledge of NCAA wrestling history should be able to explain.

Or go ahead and turn this into a food thread like a lot of the other ones....but I really am looking for an answer. Thanks.

 

[NoVa Lion]

I'm looking for an answer for why there isn't a weight class between 197 and 285. And while we're on the subject, why did Unlimited become 285? I'm sure there's a solid reason for the existing weight classes as they are, but someone with a working knowledge of NCAA wrestling history should be able to explain.

Or go ahead and turn this into a food thread like a lot of the other ones....but I really am looking for an answer. Thanks.

$$$ is the answer. NO WAY the NCAA is adding another weight class which not only makes every school that already has wrestling lose more money than they already are but it costs the NCAA because it adds 33 more wrestlers (and the associated cost) to the NCAAs, which means the NCAA profit is reduced. Unlimited became 275 (now 285) because of Chris Taylor and forget the other name, guys that weighed may over 400.

 

[Lyco1990]

Short answer Title IX.

 

[RoarLions1]

$$$ is the answer. NO WAY the NCAA is adding another weight class which not only makes every school that already has wrestling lose more money than they already are but it costs the NCAA because it adds 33 more wrestlers (and the associated cost) to the NCAAs, which means the NCAA profit is reduced. Unlimited became 275 (now 285) because of Chris Taylor and forget the other name, guys that weighed may over 400.

Tab Thacker, but there were other heavies that went above 285...including George Bollas, Bob Marella, and Jimmy Jackson.

 

[Notsofastmyfriend21]

$$$ is the answer. NO WAY the NCAA is adding another weight class which not only makes every school that already has wrestling lose more money than they already are but it costs the NCAA because it adds 33 more wrestlers (and the associated cost) to the NCAAs, which means the NCAA profit is reduced. Unlimited became 275 (now 285) because of Chris Taylor and forget the other name, guys that weighed may over 400.

Jimmy Jackson, Tab Thacker, come to mind right away.

 

[RoarLions1]

Unlimited became 275, then later (1999), 285, because of the thought that the really big heavies could injure others...at least what I remember and read. The decision to move to 275 happened in 1987.

 

[PSUbluTX]

$$$ is the answer. NO WAY the NCAA is adding another weight class which not only makes every school that already has wrestling lose more money than they already are but it costs the NCAA because it adds 33 more wrestlers (and the associated cost) to the NCAAs, which means the NCAA profit is reduced. Unlimited became 275 (now 285) because of Chris Taylor and forget the other name, guys that weighed may over 400.

NoVa, your answer is so emphatic that I hate to step into ignorance alley and ask you to flesh out the increased cost thing a bit more for those like me who don't understand NCAA financials like you (and others on this board) do. I've seen others mention the same thing in other threads and still don't understand how adding another weight would increase each school's costs in a material way? And why would it materially change the financial equation to have 33 more wrestlers at the NCAAs? Couldn't an argument be made that having another exceptional wrestler on a team increase fan interest and drive up ticket sales (imagine having 2 Zains)?

 

[PAgeologist]

I think one of the big reasons is money. How to divide the 9.9 up even smaller and still field an elite team. Not to mention added costs for travel and such.

Also, there just aren't many dynamic wrestlers above 197 that make adding a weight that attractive. Kyle Snyder and Gable Steveson are exceptions and not the norm for big men.

 

[El-Jefe]

Another thing to remember is that several programs don't have funding for 9.9 scholarships.

If the NCAA magically bumped the 9.9 up to 10.9, Cael and Ryan and Brands and Smith are good. PSAC schools and others would literally have to do more with less.

 

[PSUaggie]

If TaTo is behind all these 11th weight posts, someone should tell him Snyder is graduating and that he should focus on getting more lunger bricks and teaching average officials about takedowns.

 

[RVARZR]

If TaTo is behind all these 11th weight posts, someone should tell him Snyder is graduating and that he should focus on getting more lunger bricks and teaching average officials about takedowns.

He still has Moore and his cut to 197 to worry about

 

[Ranger Dan]

While I have nothing against adding another weight class, let’s assume this is off the table. Why not create the 225 or 230 and then redistribute the lower weights up to 197. I just experimented with some formulas in excel and came up with a way where the percentage difference between weight classes increases as you get heavier. I ended up with: 125, 131, 138, 147, 159, 175, 197, 228, and 271

 

[nitlion6]

Unlimited heavyweights and no mention of Iowa State's Chris Taylor seems sinful. So now that I mentioned him all sins have been absolved. You guys are welcome.

PSUblutTX,
The NCAA wrestling tournament is a profit generator for the NCAA as well as an annual sellout. So with no additional revenue possible with an added weight class and the additional cost of transportation, housing and food costs for 33 additional athletes the addition of an 11th weight class can do nothing but remove money from the pot.

Since all wrestling programs are non revenue any additional cost associated with the 11th weight (insurance, travel and even uniforms) has a negative financial impact on every athletic department.

 

[PSUaggie]

. I just experimented with some formulas in excel and came up with a way where the percentage difference between weight classes increases as you get heavier. I ended up with: 125, 131, 138, 147, 159, 175, 197, 228, and 271

Applying this to PSU's 2018-19 roster, which wasn't your intent, we have spots for Shak, Cassar and Nevills but..... Cenzo, Hall and Bo are battling for one spot. Yikes!

 

[Ranger Dan]

Applying this to PSU's 2018-19 roster, which wasn't your intent, we have spots for Shak, Cassar and Nevills but..... Cenzo, Hall and Bo are battling for one spot. Yikes!

Yeah, I wasn’t saying it would fit our current guys, and it would be difficult to divert so much from high school weights, but nobody is actually going to take my proposal seriously

 

[El-Jefe]

While I have nothing against adding another weight class, let’s assume this is off the table. Why not create the 225 or 230 and then redistribute the lower weights up to 197. I just experimented with some formulas in excel and came up with a way where the percentage difference between weight classes increases as you get heavier. I ended up with: 125, 131, 138, 147, 159, 175, 197, 228, and 271

The talent and action are both more heavily distributed to lower weights.

 

[BDB57]

I would believe that the number of fit individuals between 225 and 285 is some what limited. Of those the percentage of those individuals that are fit and athletic is more limited because those that are that size and athletic would rather be chasing $$$ in baseball, basketball and football.

A few might go Sumo