A sentence in the release stated that “numerous Division One wrestling programs such as Cal State Bakersfield, Cal Poly, UC Davis and Cal State Fullerton are in danger of being eliminated due to the adverse conditions of California’s economy.”
Although it is true that Div. I wrestling teams in California face major challenges at this time, the inclusion of Cal Poly in this list has been misinterpreted and misunderstood.
The facts are that the other three programs, Cal State Bakersfield, UC Davis and Cal State Fullerton, announced last year that they were dropping their varsity wrestling programs. Both Cal State Bakersfield and Cal State Fullerton have reinstated their programs after effective fundraising efforts. The efforts to save the UC Davis program have not been successful to date, and there is no varsity program there this season. Another Div I college program at Fresno State was dropped after the 2005-06 season.
Cal Poly has not made any official statement concerning its varsity wrestling program which would imply that the program is in danger.
In fact, Cal Poly has made recent decisions which indicate a commitment to its varsity wrestling program including:
- Reaching a three-year agreement with Mark Perry as its head coach
- The addition of two scholarships for the varsity wrestling program
- Cal Poly is extremely proud of the successes, both on the mat and in the classroom of our wrestlers. We have enjoyed significant external financial support for our program and we have not considered eliminating our wrestling program." Commented Athletic Director, Alison Cone.
Cal Poly is expected to have a successful team this season, and has set high goals for the program in future seasons.
If more college wrestling programs, especially on the Div. I level, are eliminated in California, there is no doubt that it will add additional pressure on those programs which remain. Nobody within the wrestling community disputes this assertion.
The current economic conditions across the nation have placed many Olympic sports in college campuses in peril. This is not just an issue about wrestling, nor is it just an issue in California.
However, the press release concerning the effort to support and protect college wrestling in California was not written to imply that Cal Poly’s wrestling team may be dropped.
The NWCA and California USA Wrestling, who are working together to promote the NWCA All-Star Classic, will continue to educate the community about the importance of wrestling on the college level. Both organizations are dedicated to protect and preserve all wrestling opportunities in the state of California.
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