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and I talked about wanting to live. I eventually got the position. It took a while to set some goals there. The first goal was to sur- vive. It was a pretty dark time for USA Wrestling in its financial situation. I didn’t understand that coming in. Jim Scherr had a great vision and a work ethic. The people who were there, and are there to this day, it was a passion. We found ways out of it. Walking in, six weeks later I am at the Olympic Games. I was barely keeping my head above water. There was so much to deal with, but it was a great challenge.
USA Wrestler: As National Teams Director, your job included developing and managing the resources and support for U.S. athletes and coaches to win at the World level. How did you measure your success in this role? Hull: If you are in a position of leadership, you better look at it as being in a position of serving. If it’s about yourself, then it doesn’t work. The National Coaches fall under the National Teams Director. My job was to help find the resources for those coaches to do what they wanted to accomplish. If you do things right, it’s about hiring the right people. The organization hires Bruce Burnett, Steve Fraser, Kevin Jackson, and then it becomes their vision about how to get this accomplished. They are the ones who determine how to get there and we have to support that effort. These guys came out of a coaching world. We will then work together to get them the resources they need.
USA Wrestler: During your years, the USA won World titles in all three styles, freestyle (1993, 1995), women’s freestyle (1999) and Greco-Roman (2007). What were the similarities between these championship teams? Hull: I am not even saying those were the best teams we’ve
had. There were women’s teams since 1999 that were better. It wasn’t yet an Olympic sport, and we had a greater commitment than a lot of countries. Those early years, Afsoon (Roshanzamir), Shannon (Williams), Trish (Saunders), these girls wanted to win. The freestyle teams in the early 90s, these guys knew they could win and they went in expecting to win. In Greco, Jim Scherr said when we hired Steve Fraser that he was crazy enough to believe we could win in Greco. You have to have the level of belief that you can do it.
USA Wrestler: You managed national coaches including Lee Roy Smith, Mike Houck, Bruce Burnett, Steve Fraser, Kevin Jackson, Terry Steiner and Zeke Jones. Talk about the qualities needed for a coach to excel in this challenging position? Hull: You have to have a passion for the style you are coach-
ing. You can’t fool an elite athlete through what you say. They are going to see what you are willing to do. It is about a work ethic and a commitment. The No. 1 thing is that the athletes have to trust that you are trying to do everything you can to help them achieve their goals.
USA Wrestler: You were involved in six Olympic Games. What is special about the Olympic Games? Hull: I hold the Olympic Games in such high regard. We all have our problems with some of the people running it. But the Games themselves are amazing. Other than our military heroes, there is no more honored fraternity than be called an Olympian. You have 320 million Americans, and 500 of these people every four years make an Olympic team. You can’t buy it. It is not guaranteed, no matter how hard you work for it. It is a special thing. Working with the USOC and USA Wrestling to help ath- letes pursue their dream is a tremendous honor to be part of.
USA Wrestler: Talk about your relationship working with the U.S. Olympic Committee, and how important USOC support and leadership was in the success of our wrestlers? Hull: Rich Bender says we can’t do this without the USOC. He is 100 percent right. They are an important part. It is the most joyful and the most frustrating part. More times than not, it was a very positive part. Working with international games, the people involved are some of the best this country has to offer. The things that they can pull off in these other countries and building relationship is amazing. We are all about a level playing field. We just want to get more people on the field. They find ways to, I don’t want to say it, but give us an advantage. All the little things, they figure out what other countries are not able to do. Those things matter. The performance department, led by Alan Ashby, I have the utmost respect and confidence in. Our job is to show them how to help our sport and they have been very good trusting the leadership within wrestling to give us flex- ibility many sports don’t have.
USA Wrestler: Your decision to return to Wisconsin and leave
USA Wrestling included an increased commitment to family. What were the main reasons for the change? Hull: There are many layers to it. My kids are grown up and out and we could make a decision which was not financially motivated. For me and for the organization, change can be real- ly good. You get new energy and new structure. I am so confi- dent in Les Gutches and Cody Bickley and their team. They have tremendous skills and the organization is moving forward. I am glad I was part of the process. It’s not the same job today. Back here, I’m working with the alumni that I coached and was part of, and getting to know the younger guys. I’m still working with wrestling. I’m coaching, and it is always a joy to work with young people and help them to do what is important to them. The real catalyst is I have two granddaughters who will soon be seven and five. My wife and I really wanted to be part of their lives. It was a change that was completely positive.
USA Wrestler: How is it different being a volunteer within
USA Wrestling after two decades on staff? Hull: I like it. I was only called to the head table at the U.S. Open twice this year!! Of course, I like that. There are some things I can do as a volunteer I can’t do on staff. I’ve always tried to be honest about what was best for the organization. As a volunteer, nobody can question your motives on some of these things. It’s about supporting the organization. I believe in the leadership. You’ve got a great Board, a great Executive Director and President. The staff there has a passion for wrestling. It’s not hard having somebody’s back when you know what they are trying to accomplish. I can help with the grass- roots more. Bringing the World Team Trials to my state lets these young guys see the best in the world, to have that in front of them so they might also dream to be the best.
USA Wrestler: How important is a successful RTC? Hull: The schools that are near the top, that have a shot at winning NCAAs, this is something you can do for your program to take the next step forward. The top recruits want to see that you are committed beyond an NCAA title. Their dream is to con- tinue and try to make U.S. teams. To have those people who have goals of representing their country in the room, that is what they have to see. It’s not just about practice; it’s a lifestyle. It is a commitment, the decisions you make on a daily basis. Those things help grow young athletes. I had that during my days at Wisconsin. I benefitted from it, and I want to bring it to the young men here.
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