July has been a month full of ups and downs.  Currently I'm traveling to watch the Junior Nationals in Fargo, ND.  I hope to watch and contact a few guys who are willing to come and put Clarion Wrestling back on the mat. 

Learning the new office and department has been very tough but its moving along.  I hope that in due time I will understand how and why some things are done, like they are, at Clarion.

We finally closed on our home this month and are trying to make it our own.  Between the new job and Talen, Mary and I are kept busy all day, every day!  It is wonderful to come home and see them after a long day in the office. 

Clarion Wrestling is looking for guys who are willing to sacrifice so that they can stand on top of the NCAA podium and establish this program as the best among the PSAC and EWL.

We are officially home owners in the town of Clarion.  Mary and I are excited to finally have moved pasted the incidentals and made our way into the community. 

Everything at the University is following into place.  I look forward to the fall and the start of official team workouts. 

This weekend has started off very well because of three friends that came by to see how we are doing.  First the Prezzia family came into town for the Father/Son camp on campus and Talen's Godmother and Godfather, Maria and John, came to spent some time with Talen.  Then Kerry McCoy stopped in for a visit friday evening on his way through PA while working summer camps.  I was so happy to see him and even though it was a short visit, it was nice catching up with him and all the recent changes in our industry.  Our third visit was from Tommy Picarsic who was visiting Clarion for the weekend with a friend.  Tommy recently had a very serious elbow surgery while off from Harvard for the summer.  He was injuried during a practice last season at Harvard.

Along with all of these exciting visits is Mary's birthday.  She turned 29 for the third time today.  YEA!!!! 

Teague

Well after the first week of work at Clarion I can honestly say that my work is cut out for me but it is going to offer a great opportunity.  Getting to know the people on campus that will help administer our students and prospective student-athletes has been fun.  Everyone has been very friendly and the atmosphere is very positive.

The first week brought a few transfer students into the Clarion program.  From Slippery Rock Clarion wrestling will add Sal Lascari and Jerimiah Frederick.  We also picked up a senior from Massachusetts by the name of Brian Sheehan and another from the State of Washington, Jeremy Knowlton.  All are great kids and are going to bring great things to the Clarion program.  One special note is that Jeremy Knowlton just graduated from with a associates degree at the same time he graduated from high school.  He will enter Clarion with 90 college credits.

I am settling into the job and enjoying every minute of it.  My wife and daughter are very happy with our new home and their new surroundings so the Moore family is taking care of business and should be smiling for many years to come.

The recent trip to Ukraine turned out to have a couple more obstacles than I had planned for.  The travel and training went well but myself and Coach Derrick DelPorto had to make some quick decisions to keep the group calm and together for the duration of the journey.

Our first stay was in Ushnee, Ukraine for 4 days.  We practiced and dualed the local club which was a good time and we enjoyed ourselves while in the small "resort" town on the shores of the Black Sea. 

We thought we would be staying the city of Odecca but it turns out the accomidations and facilities were open in Ushnee.  Our second stay came in the city of Kiev where we practiced and dualed with 2 clubs.  Both clubs had some very solid young Ukrainians and our athletes competed well.  The first group was at from the Physical Education University in Kiev while the second was just a wrestling club for various secondary and prepartory age students.

The experience was good and our athletes seemed to have picked up quite a few techniques from the Ukrainian wrestlers.  The trip in general was good and we had a very enjoyable cultural exchange while in Ukraine.  I would advise those planning to travel to Ukraine to be sure and pack some TP and be prepared for travel to take 3x the suggested time.

Tomorrow I leave for Kiev.  I look forward to getting to work with our US athletes and also getting to learn from the Ukrainians.  This will be my second time to Ukraine and if it turns out to be anything like the last trip I will be very happy.

Our US Team will be meeting up at JFK airport before heading overseas.  The first 5 days will be in Kiev while the last 5 days will be in Odessa.  I will try and post our results on this blog so that people can check in and see what we've been doing. 

Excitement still building for the upcoming trip to Ukraine and our eventual move to Clarion.  This was a great weekend because we accomplished a lot of prep work.  Also our roommate, Jared Frayer made the finals of the World Team Trials in Sioux City, IA.  We know he's disappointed but it's a great accomplishment and a step in the right direction.  Kudo's to Jared!

I also lost some time while trying to figure out why UFC has flown past wrestling in popularity. The Hughes Gracie fight in LA had millions of viewers and thousands of fans at the event.  Our best event in the US with our most talented athletes was held in Sioux City, IA.  UFC at the Staples Center in LA vs. Sioux City, IA?

UFC started in the 90's and is now a multi-million dollar business while wrestling continues to remain the "red headed step child" of professional sport.  Lack of vision? Lack of interest?  Lack of direction?  I'm not sure but for whoever figures it out, there should be a big pay off! 

June 1-10 I will one of two Coaches taking a team of athletes to train in Kiev and Odessa, Ukraine.  This should be an exciting trip because the country is beautiful, the wrestling is world renowned and I'm not competing.  My last visit to Ukraine in 2004 was good, although my results were not where I wanted them to be. 

This trip is going to be a great time for our next generation of athletes to train with athletes from Ukraine while competing with their  top University age athletes.  The city of Kiev and Odessa offer many modern amenities which mean we will have good facilities, safe transportation and healthy food.

I'll be updating this Blog while on the trip, so stay tuned for out daily travels.

Teague

Monday May 15, 2006 I was introduced as Clarion University's new head wrestling coach.  This recent turn of events has been very humbling and also very exciting.  My wife and I will be relocating to Clarion, PA very soon.

Clarion offers one of wrestling's most storied traditions.  The program has produced many Conference and National Champions.  The Alumni have also excelled at the world and olympic level which proves that great things can come to those who join the Clarion program. 

I felt Clarion will be the right fit for my family.  The community offers all the things that my wife and I could wish for and we look forward to joining it.  I'm going to look for student-athletes who are driven to excel at the highest level.  I want wrestlers who are willing to sacrifice to become the best.  Nothing comes easy but when your surrounded by the right people and given the right opportunities, your future becomes what you make of it!

I invite all future Division I wrestlers to explore the possibility of joining the Clarion team.  We are going to strive for EWL titles, NCAA titles and we will strive to put our athletes on the world and professional circuit.  My philosophy is simple. 

Do what is right. 

Do it to the best of your ability.

Do it so that those around you can be the best that they can be!

Thank you for taking the time to look at my space and please feel free to drop me a line. 

Teague

This weekend was a great time for wrestling in Massachusetts.  Cael came to Boston on Thursday with his wife Kelly and I was happy to join them, Coach Weiss and Jesse Jantzen at dinner that evening. 

Friday evening we had dinner with Mike Moyer of the NWCA who was partnered with Mass USA Wrestling for this event. It was great hearing about the NWCA and the direction of our leaders.  It's great to know that we have dedicated men driven to make wrestling better.

Today the event went off without a hitch. The crowd had to have numbered over 300 as kids and parents came to Hudson, MA to hear Cael speak and teach.  The kids were so excited to see our sports biggest name right before their eyes.  I was glad to see the respect and admiration the kids in Massachusetts have for Cael.  He gave an excellent clinic and really helped continue the growth of our sport in this state with the help of Mass USA Wrestling and the NWCA.

Thanks Cael! Always a pleasure!!