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This chat between Barry Davis and the general public took place on November 27, 2002.

Chat Moderator: Lets start with a questions from email. Mike Briggs from Plymouth asks: Other colleges seem to be bringing more talent (or at least more names) to the practice room. what has been the most difficult part of convincing wrestlers to go to Wisconsin?

Barry Davis: One is distance from home. The Big Ten is also one of the toughest conferences in the country so it does make recruiting more difficult. But in the last two years, we've had some of the best recruiting classes we have ever had at the UW.

mike: what can be done to get the latest scores/records and updates on the wrestlers and the tourneys?

Barry Davis: Go to our web site at UWBADGERS.com and also at all of our home duals, and some of away duals too, we will have live action results on UWBADGERS.com.

Chat Moderator: Questions from email "Barry list and discuss last years high school seniors who are joining your team this year."

Barry Davis: One is Cole Wunnicke, a four-time state champ from Ithaca, Wis., and the other top recruit for us is Tyler Turner from Spring Valley, Wis. He's a two-time state champ. Both of those guys were junior national finalists last summer and both are redshirting this season. Tyler Turner could probably be brought out of redshirt during the second half of this season.

Chris H. Gui: What was it like to represent the U.S. in the Olympics in 1984 and 1988?

Barry Davis: Anytime you get a chance to represent your country at that level of competition, it's a great honor. It's an experience that I'll never forget.

Chat Moderator: A questions from Ken Thayer "The Badger wrestling ¤team has a record that fans are proud of, with ¤individual Big 10 titles, All Americans and NCAA ¤individual championships. Is it realistic to hope the ¤Badgers could win a Big10 team title?"

Barry Davis: I wouldn't say this year, but with the last two recruiting classes that we've had, as well as with the young man we signed during the early signing period, and hopefully with the wrestlers we sign in the late period, this will take place in the near future.

Half Nelson: I know the tradition of wrestling at the Iowa schools, but how did Minnesota get so good?

Barry Davis: Because Minnesota is able to recruit both in-state and out of state.

Chris H. Gui: What's the scouting report on Northern Iowa?

Barry Davis: There will be some interesting match-ups on both sides of the mat. There will be three to four weights that will be toss-up weights. Depending on who wins those weights, that will determine who wins the dual meet.

Half Nelson: How many scholarships does wrestling have to give out?

Barry Davis: The NCAA allows wrestling to have 9.9 scholarships out at one time, not 9.9 per year. For example, if you have four athletes who are seniors and all on a half scholarship, then you only have two available for the next year.

Paul Brandl: Barry, I cannot find results from Sunday on the UWBADGERS.com site.

Barry Davis: The University of Missouri is responsible for those results and did not send out full results. However, a release for Ed Gutnik placing third, and the other Badger Placewinners was posted on UWBADGERS.com.

Chris H. Gui: As the kids of two NCAA champions...are your children involved in sports and if so, wrestling or running?

Barry Davis: I have two daughters and as far as I'm concerned, neither will be competing in the sport of wrestling, but both have shown a interest in the sport of track as well as soccer.

brad: Why are the big tens at the fieldhouse and not the kohl center?

Barry Davis: Because there is a conflict with men's hockey and the UW has done everything they could to try to change the venue, but could not do so. But there is a lot of tradition at the Field House for the sport of wrestling and the environment at the Field House will be just as exciting as at the Kohl Center.

Matrat: My 8th grade son wrestles. His motivation is fun. If something is not fun, he is not interested. I have noticed, he will improve for a while and then rest and not work hard for a while. How hard should I push or encourage him to get better?

Barry Davis: He has to understand that if it's a sport or a job, there will always be times when you don't enjoy what you're doing. But you work through those times, and by doing that, you'll be able to find out more about yourself and understand that commitment is part of success.

WAGS: I followed Tyler Loudon's career, what is your expectations and what does he have to do to get accomplish this

Barry Davis: Tyler had starting experience last year when he wrestled 149 and I believe this past summer he worked hard on the skills needed to let him be successful so far this year. One area that he needs to improve on is his riding and to score more back points. On his feet though, he's gotten much better because he holds positions so well.

brad: did Wisconsin sign any recruits for next year yet?

Barry Davis: Matt Maciag from Blairstown, N.J. who is ranked fourth in the country at 197.

brad: I'm in a fantasy wrestling league, I took Tony Black over Lowe from Minnesota, was this a good move?

Barry Davis: Yes!

Half Nelson: Your posters have been a highlight of your team's visibility. Who comes up with the ideas?

Barry Davis: Our coaches, administration as well as a gentleman named Earl Madden who designs our posters. This year's poster carries on a theme, "Badgers in Black" based on Kevin Black, one of this year's captains with Ralph DeNisco.

jurgad: How does the current Wisconsin high school wrestling group look for next year?

Barry Davis: The next two classes of recruits look good for the state of Wisconsin. Per NCAA rules, I can't comment on names, but I hope we can keep those kids in state. Those kids could help take this team to the Big Ten and NCAA Championship level.

Chat Moderator: A question from email: "How do you feel about Wisconsin hosting this year's Big Ten¤Championships at the UW Field House?"

Barry Davis: I think it will help us because we have some young kids starting for us this year, and by having the Big Tens here in Madison, they will be more comfortable with that. It's a environment that they are used to and anytime you get a chance to wrestle in front of your home fans, it helps you compete at a higher level.

j: Are you going to try out for the 2004 Olympics? And if so what weight will you wrestle at?

Barry Davis: I won't be trying for the 2004 Olympics, but I'm sure Donny will. Currently he's competing in France. He'll be on this chat next week.

Chat Moderator: This will be the last question thank you for your participation.

Barry Davis: A website called WIwrestling.com by Tom McGarvie of Watertown, Wis. and also in the Crossface Magazine by Joe Kaster from Janesville, Wis. I hope to see you all at our home duals this year and if not, catch us on our web site. Thank You.

UWBadger.com Website Transcript of Barry Davis Live Chat, November 27, 2002