Give credit where credit is due.
I believe that’s something to live by, regardless of circumstances, personal feelings, or history. I know I’m guilty – and I would imagine all of you are too – of getting too caught up in pride or personal issues to give someone their just due, even when they deserve it.
Doc Young, my former co-host on the Voice of Wrestling and host/producer of Wrestling Weekly with the legendary Les Thatcher, definitely deserves high praise for his contributions to internet wrestling radio and journalism in the past five years. He was one of the most dedicated, passionate people I’ve met in the last 8 years of my involvement with the Internet Wrestling Community.
Doc has a condition called "Cough Asthma" that prevents him from producing his weekly talk show and last Monday (6/10), Les Thatcher and Rich Tate payed tribute to Doc on the "Peach State Pandemonium" radio show. Doc muscled through what could be his last appearance on the air and knowing Doc, I’m sure it had to be bitter sweet in so many ways.
I met Young when he emailed me about an open co-host position on my Voice of Wrestling radio show back in 2004. From day one, Doc was committed to bettering himself as not only a proficient wrestling host, but as an overall contributor to the wrestling business, in general. He started working with an independent promotion, traveling to shows, networking, and advancing himself within the industry as much as he was physically capable.
In mid-2005, Doc and Les Thatcher left the Voice of Wrestling to host their own show, Wrestling Weekly, and had a run of three years or more. Personal details departure aside, Doc and I lost contact for the most part following the departure. I still tried to keep up with their progress as much as I could, but I knew as soon as he left that Doc would make the best of his new endeavor.
And I was right.
In a place (the Internet) where wrestling radio shows are a dime a dozen and most are not worth mentioning, Wrestling Weekly was one of the good ones.
Doc Young was one of the good ones.
I believe there are still archives available on their official site and I encourage you to go check them out when you get the chance. If nothing else, I’m sure there’s a contact as well where you can send your wishes to Doc.
If you know him, you know him. If you don’t, you’re missing out.
Congratulations Doc on your success and good luck in the future.
You’ll definitely be missed.
However, knowing you, I’m sure you’ll pop up somewhere in the wrestling community again and pick up where you left off. You’re too stubborn to stay away for good.
And I hope that’s the case.
