File photo by Ray NelsonThe NYSPHSAA Championships last winter.
It's not even wrestling season yet, but a major controversy has cropped up this week concerning the popular New Jersey state tournament,
according to the Newark Star-Ledger.
Word just started getting around the state that pop singer Lady Gaga has booked Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City (N.J.) for the first weekend in March — the same period that the state wrestling tourney has been held in recent years. The tournament annually draws around 40,000 people. Lady Gaga's website reports that tickets already are being sold, starting at $182, for a March 2 concert.
The governing New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association has been holding meetings throughout today as a resolution — perhaps a new venue — is being sought. Last year's tourney produced a profit of $130,000 for the association.
Bound Brook (N.J.) coach Kyle Franey told the Star-Ledger, "Someone dropped the ball on this. It just changes everything. For years I know my wrestlers have been excited about getting to Atlantic City."
If the tourney has to be set back a week, a host of problems could occur.
Hunterdon Central (Flemington, N.J.) athletic director Bob Rossi said, "I don't see how the wrestling coaches would want a 13-day layoff. Does that mean we're going to have an extra week to have matches or are we just going to be sitting here for a week?"