"With great power comes great responsibility" Stan Lee, creator of Spiderman

In practical terms what does that mean to you and I?  Well, if you're the coach then you hold the reins to your program- not just teaching single legs and double legs.  But being the leader of your alumni, your fan base, your athletes, your parents.  How do you lead them?  You lead best by serving. 

A few weeks ago our pastor talked about how the Roman soldiers used to be able to basically comandeer citizens to carry their heavy hear- sword, shield, etc. for one mile.  During that mile the soldier is in charge.  At the end of that mile he would take the gear back and continue on his way.  What if the citizen said, "No, I will continue to carry your gear for another mile."  Who is in charge that second mile?  
Exactly.  You become a leader by serving. 
Serve your people. 

Make it easy for them to be a fan.  Create a Facebook page.  Create a blog.  Add video content to your page.  Send press releases regularly to the media.  Create fun and exciting events to bring them together.

What's that?  You're too busy already?   Well, yes.  I know.  Coaching is more time consuming and difficult than anyone outside the profession will ever know (except the spouses).  That's why you need systems to grow.  Just like any successful business.  It's not run by the seat of the owner's pants.  It's run by systems.  That's why the Riot is so successful.  It's built on systems.

I just listened to a podcast interview with Cary Kolat, read a blog about Junior Nationals, watched a video of Joe Warren training.

If you've been to any of the major wrestling websites in the past year you'd see that they are all now taking advantage of the social media and web 2.0 tools available.  Maybe it was Flo Wrestling that nudged them along or maybe it was just that it was time for them to take the leap.  Themat.com has long had popular message boards but they now have more video than before.  Intermat.com, TheWrestlingMall.com, Wrestling 411.tv and the new Theopenmat.com all have great content too- most importantly blogs, video and podcasts. This has made it easier for us wrestling fans to get information as well as to meet the important figures in our wrestling world.  This is exciting stuff!  If you're not taking advantage you should be.  Our wrestling community is getting stronger because of these new tools and developments. 

Your program is simply a microcosm of the larger wrestling community.  Are you strengthening your community of fans, alumni and supporters of your program?  Why not?