Empire State Games on the ropes: Say it ain't so

This summer, I fulfilled a high school goal a a decade after the fact by trying out for and eventually making* the Men's Open Long Island Greco Roman team for the Empire State Games. This year's event, held in lovely Vestal, NY at the State University of New York-Binghamton, gave me an unexpectedly pleasurable opportunity to grapple with a Belorussian menace who gave me the ass kicking of a lifetime (see photo).



Getting ready to tangle with my opponent

In spite of my foray into on-the-mat diplomacy, I had a blast, and really felt like I accomplished something on my bucket list. That's why I was disheartened when I read this on the message boards:

Empire State Games may be downsized
Each participant could be charged $300
By Niki Cervantes

Some sports could be eliminated and others sharply cut for the Empire State Games if organizers have to deal with a “worst case” plan that involves the possibility of no state spending on the annual summer competition.

Young athletes also may soon be required to pay $300 to take part in the Games, a Western New York organizer warned Monday. (link)

I have a hard time arguing, considering current economic pressures, against charging at least some fee to participate. Don't get me wrong, I truly enjoyed the opportunity to get my butt kicked for free, but reality is reality and if charging folks to participate will keep the games going, then I guess you gotta do what you gotta do.

That said, I was shocked when I read this:

Meanwhile, the cut list is long for the Games in the Poughkeepsie area this July. Included is basketball for adults, boxing and sailing for all ages, soccer for adult men and women and softball for adults.

Adult volleyball and wrestling for adults also could be eliminated.

That would be a crying shame. Here's hoping that wrestling stays on the program and that we kick this economic crisis in the ass sooner rather than later.

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*I was like sixth on the ladder, and thanks to various injuries and prior commitments, I got the call two days before the event. I still maintain that I made the team.