PeteDiPolbioBefore taking on the job at Heelan last year, Di Pol had coached at Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas, from 2013-2015. During that time, his teams earned to two national rankings, No. 16 in 2014 and No. 14 in 2015, and it won the conference duals championship in 2015. Before coming to the Midwest, Di Pol coached at the collegiate level at what is now Rowan College at Gloucester County in Sewell, New Jersey. From 2011-13, Di Pol guided his teams at the community college to conference championships, and fourth and fifth-place finishes in the nation in 2012 and 2013, respectively.
"MacMurray Athletics is excited about getting a head coach who has Pete's impressive and repeated success in building championship programs to help the College launch its men's and women's wrestling programs," said Justin Fuhler, MacMurray's athletic director. "We know he can hit the ground running, and we wouldn't be the least surprised if MacMurray wrestling quickly returns to its former glory under his direction."
"Getting a chance to build a program from the ground up is an opportunity that not many coaches get," said Di Pol. "The historic past of MacMurray Wrestling will make that job easier, and I'm looking forward to fielding a strong team from Day One."
"It is evident with my discussions with our Athletic Director Justin Fuhler and College President Dr. Mark Tierno that they are committed to ensuring the success of the wrestling program and our future wrestlers on and off the mat," Di Pol said. "Their passion for this new program resonated with my own passion and desire to succeed here and develop champions on and off the mat as well."
MacMurray had announced the return of wrestling in early January, resurrecting its men's program which had been eliminated in 2007, and adding a new women's program. Both programs are expected to take to the mat during the 2016-17 school year.
MacMurray College describes itself as "a four-year, career-directed college with a strong liberal arts tradition." Founded in 1846, the school -- with an enrollment of approximately 600 students -- is located in the city of Jacksonville, about 30 miles west of the state capital of Springfield. The Highlander sports teams compete in NCAA Division III.
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