from a spectators point of view in CT

[Frank "The PREZ" Hirst]

Pete , my daughter and I attended the Reggie Ward Connecticut tournament yesterday as spectators. I had no plans on pulling due to UAL. It was different for me to sit back and watch.

I was very impressed with the turnout and the new faces. Props to Chris Gangi.

Just off the top of my head a few pullers that continue to improve are Shoemaker who won the 13 man 176 class, Rich Darardo who pulled 154 and 176, Storm Chellio who won 98's, Kris Mikles and Mark Veria who battled in 54's.
Congrats to Klemba, Badger, Fitz, Devio, Ermini, and the other experienced pullers for some exciting matches.

Its a very nice venue. Part Bowling alley and bar. Very family friendly. I noticed many curious couples, and children coming to watch some of the pulling.

NOW FOR THE NEGATIVE. we want armwrestling to become big? become an recognized sport? Have our kids follow in our "footsteps"? My opinion is it will never happen if you continue to allow these idiots that feel swearing, getting cocked, heckling while pulling is OK at a Family event. The last 2 events has been out of control. I'm glad I raised my daughter right and she knows whats right and wrong. There were kids classes and the kids shouldn't listen to that crap.. Hell I don't want to hear it.
As an armwrestler , I was embarrassed by the way a group of pullers was acting. I give props to 154lbs Rich Denario for asking the Drunk to watch his mouth in front of the children. Which of course almost started a fight
Just think if it bothers ME, Rich, Ermini, what do you think the specters that are just passing through think?
If we want it to continue to be a "bar" sport then disregard what I just said and Ill leave my children home.

PREZ

[Rick "Lummox" North]

Well said Frank!!

[Anthony Edens]

I know exactly how you feel Frank. I was at KY State this year, and it wasn't even experienced pullers, other than one- I must have put up with a few dozen f-bombs, before I finally moved my family to the other side of the pavillion. I kind of expected a county fair to be "family friendly", but I was wrong. One other note on this topic, if you are running a tournament-don't drink until after the tournament.

[Chris Gangi]

Thank you for the kind words...it's nice to know my hard word didn't go unnoticed.

I also like the venue for the family appeal but can due without the Foul language around the kids...I also was very upset and voiced my opinion.

I know we all want to have fun and cheer for are team mates and friends but we have to leave the back alley thug mentality where it belongs...and that is NOT at a Family based Armwrestling tournament.

[Ron Ermini]

I would also like to say what a great turnout for this tournament for the REGGIE WARD MEMORIAL as was glad to be part of it. Congrats to storm in the 98's he is a beast and only 19 yrs old and congrats to all the winners. As the prez said this is a family sport and we are trying to make this sport bigger and better and for spectators that come to watch and bring their families with kids and for kids who actually pull in these tournaments do not need to listen to the language that was going on yesterday by a certain group of people. I myself had said something to them to watch their language but when you are drinking we know what happens and how some people act when they drink. I would like to extend my apologies to everyone at the tournament for having to listen to that. I would also like to thank Chris for another great tournament and to the PREZ good luck out at the UAL

[Kris Mikels]

great tourney thanks chris

[petehenze]

I here ya frank ... and I am sure pete milano is right there with ya. If I bring my Daughter to a tournament I Expect Adults to Watch their Language.... The people I deal with in my world are very respectful but if you cross that line with the guys I know... you are in a world of hurt and will not like the outcome.

Family is everything where I am from, and we can drink beer and talk crap ...BUT when there are kids around there is a Respect factor and no one ever crosses that line or you pay the price

[Jon Brown]

that's truth right there. it was embarrassing.

no manners whatsoever.

[Frank "The PREZ" Hirst]

Glad I wasn't the only puller truley embarressed. Thanks guys

The last thing I wanted to do was for people to talk about the handful of idiots that showed up in CT.

Chris put on a great tourney

Remember next time the Sober , cool, serious pullers out number the Idiots. Lets not tolerate it.

[Bob Paradis]

It was a great tourney Chris, for the reasons Frank already mentioned. You brought in extra people from the events surrounding Reggie Ward also.

[Pete & Tim]

Since no one wants to name names I will. Greg Gavin and his band of foul mouthed fools (with the exception of Mike Ayello) were a bunch of drunk, belligerent funs and did not even understand that what they were doing was wrong and unacceptable. I for one could actually care less about the language but I at least know that it isn't acceptable at a family event such as any and all of Chris Gangi's tournaments. It's not that hard to refrain from using inappropriate language (I seem to control myself just fine) at these types of events.

Great turnout Chris amd you should really try harder to re-negotiate your deal with that venue after yesterdays turnout. You deserve more than what you get.

[jamesretarides]

That is a shame for a few reasons. First and foremost because Reggie Ward was ALWAYS a gentleman during competition even when provoked. I am sure anyone that remembers Reggie when he pulled or competed against him would say the same. To have a tournament in his memory, with his family, friends and coworkers present and have this type of nonsense going on is unacceptable. I know I might so like a broken record, but since roughly every organization has a sportsmanship rule, they should enforce it more stringently.

Before every event that I run/ref/announce, I alway mention during the rules that the sportsmanship rule will be strictly enforced. I have had to tell more than one person they would be thrown out if they continued their behavior. I mean for cripes sake, we are supposed to be a family of armwrestlers. If three or four people are starting a ruckus, there are 100 more that are more than capable of ejecting them out the building.

We all know or even train with armwrestlers that pull with a lot of emotion. I used to as well, but learned to control it. Most of them will recognize where they were wrong if you speak with them. If they do not, tell them to go home and learn how to control themselves before they come back to your tournament. Reggie Ward was every bit the competitor as any of us today but did not have to resort to idiocy to prove it. There should be more people following his example.

Oh, and congrats to Shoey, heard you pulled great.

[philbauer]

Very unfortunate the kids had to see and hear that.