Wrestling Gift Ideas

[ideamark]

Today is "Black Friday",
one of the biggest shopping days of the season...

Thought it would be a good time to launch what I hope is a helpful thread where we can share gift ideas for wrestlers, coaches and wrestling fans on our holiday gift lists.

Here are a couple ideas for recent-vintage wrestling books that I can personally recommend...

> "Pinned" by Alfred C Martino -- a 300-page novel that presents the stories of two HS seniors in New Jersey that are on a collision course for the same state title. The two young men -- Ivan Korske and Bobby Zane -- come from radically different backgrounds and are each wrestling with off-the-mat challenges as well. It's a very compelling read that will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next. Martino's descriptions of the wrestling matches are especially compelling, to the point where you'd almost like to read even more of them. Published in 2005 by Harcourt. For more information, visit www.AlfredMartino.com, or email the author directly at [e-mail]

> "The History of Collegiate Wrestling: A Century of Wrestling Excellence" by Jarius K Hammond. You may recognize Jay Hammond for his articles and posts to wrestling forum concerning amateur wrestling history. He's put together a lavish book that covers the history of college wrestling year-by-year, providing the reader with a you-are-there perspective on major matches, including conference and NCAA championship results. You'll also find fascinating profiles on the giants of the sport, written by others. My only wish: More photos (tho there are great images of wrestlers who may have only heard about, and never seen before.) Published in 2006 by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, and available for purchase via their website: www.wrestlinghalloffame.org/

Please weigh in with your gift ideas -- books, movies, training tapes/DVDs...

Mark

[NoMoreLies]

Rulon Gardner's book
Kyle Maynard's book

[DartSharkimus Prime]

Pinned is great.

I'm a bit biased towards the college wrestling book, since I had the honor to contribute to the book.

For the young wrestler, any videos or DVD's of great tournaments and matches. Get them interested in things beyond "cub" league. I'm giving my friend's kids (Since I don't have any yet) some DVD's of some good matches from CSTV, The Dream Team Classic and the Beast. Something they can watch and see succesful wrestling at a high level and go "hey, I want to be on there one day" --

[NoMoreLies]

You can also get someone a subscription to Intermat, so that JB can pay his bills.

[guest007]

How about the Wheaties cereal box with the picture of CAEL on it?

[JensenS]

A Season on The Mat...Don't remember the full title, but it was the book written about Gable, and the 97 Iowa team.

[ideamark]

All excellent ideas, guys. Thanks!

I especially enjoyed "Season on the Mat" and Rulon's book, which seemed to be to be more "self-revealing" than I would have expected from an athlete of his accomplishments.

Mark

[ground3pound]

Wrestling Items on EBAY
Some of these auctions end soon.

$4.99
cgi.ebay.com/SPORTS-ILLUSTRATED-APRIL-1-1957-COLLEGE-WRESTLING_W0QQitemZ250054876616QQihZ015QQcategoryZ280QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

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Used Minnesota Singlet (ball sweat included)

$5.00
cgi.ebay.com/V39-USED-MINNESOTA-GOPHER-WRESTLING-SINGLET-COLLEGE_W0QQitemZ260058147645QQihZ016QQcategoryZ79797QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

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$7.49
cgi.ebay.com/SPORT-College-Wrestling-Techniques-on-Neck-Tie-NEW_W0QQitemZ8210969526QQihZ020QQcategoryZ52379QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

[ideamark]

The 1957 Sports Illustrated with Dan Hodge of the cover would be a sweet addition to any true wrestling fan's collection. It's the only time in the 50+ year history of SI that they have featured an amateur wrestler on the cover as an amateur wrestler. (I'm not counting issues where someone who was once a HS/college wrestler but is more famous for something else -- Tom Brady, or Ricky Williams -- was the cover guy.)

Mark

[Mike]

Not to be too shameless here, but will be catching up on work today that will include a gift idea. There is a particular section of work we do that provides opportunities for low income youth wrestlers, you can make a gift in kind for one of those wrestlers. I'll post the link once the newsletter and Christmas wish list is posted. I'll post some of that information here now and again, the link once the article and newsletter is sent. Regarding the books, I will also second Pinned, a great book but don't confuse it with Pin an awful book.


On the things listed below, if a gift in kind is given, a holiday card or card of your choice, (we prefer Christmas) will be sent to the person you are giving the gift in honor of.

• $50 will assist a youth wrestler with various club fees.
• $20 will cover the cost of a wrestling tournament for a low income wrestler.
• $25 will pay for membership to wrestling groups such as USA Wrestling.
• $40 will pay the fees for a Kansas Wrestler to be a part of The Kansas Wizzers, a state High School and Jr. High Team I coach that has received national recognition.
• $60 will provide a wrestling uniform, shoes and a headgear for a low income wrestler.
• $150 will provide a week long, intensity camp opportunity for a wrestler.
• $150 will provide the costs of doing one church on the mat church service

There are many other areas of giving that will be listed in the next newsletter and articles that will be posted after final edits are made.

[Mike]

Best of 3 links as promised as it includes all links and info:

blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog&pop=1&ping=1&indicate=1

[NoMoreLies]

Bad link there Mike

[Mike]

nomorelies said:

Bad link there Mike

Hmm, works fine for me,

try this one:

thevirtualpewnews.blogspot.com/2006/11/virtual-pew-news-7-christmas-giving.html

[fanforlife]

A Season on the Mat by Nolan Zavoral is a good book, it is sitting on my desk right now...