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NJSIAA will consider new site for state wrestling

ROBBINSVILLE, N.J. - NJSIAA executive director Steve Timko knows that Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City is a popular venue for the state wrestling championships.

ROBBINSVILLE, N.J. - NJSIAA executive director Steve Timko knows that Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City is a popular venue for the state wrestling championships.

But Timko said on Thursday that the NJSIAA will consider moving the event to another site, starting in March 2013.

The organization is planning to issue a "Request for Proposals" by the end of the school year to see if another facility in the state might make for a more profitable site, Timko said.

"We can't keep losing money on wrestling," Timko said. "Other states do this with their most popular events."

The championships have been at Boardwalk Hall since 2002. The NJSIAA's three-year contract with the facility expired in March.

Boardwalk Hall general manager Greg Tesone called the championships "a great event" and expressed hope that a new contract with the NJSIAA could be worked out.

Timko said the NJSIAA lost $18,000 on wrestling this year. The organization made around $130,000 on the three-day championships at Boardwalk Hall but lost around $148,000 on district and regional competition.

Timko said the organization needs to make a significant profit on the championships to cover the districts and regionals and also to help fund other sports as well as its day-to-day operation.

Timko said the NJSIAA pays Boardwalk Hall $80,000 in rent and also has to provide for security, which costs around $7,000.

The state Department of Education allowed the NJSIAA to charge $10 for adults and $2 for students and seniors for tickets. Boardwalk Hall takes a $1 facilities fee for every ticket.

New Jersey state assemblyman John Burzichelli (D., Gloucester/Salem) said the event will remain in Atlantic City.

"I'm offended they would even think about moving it," Burzichelli said. "That event isn't going anywhere."