Portland State discontinues wrestling as a Div. I varsity sport

The Portland State University Department of Athletics has announced that it will discontinue its wrestling program as an NCAA Division I competitor. The decision comes after two months of review by a University Task Force.

"This is a sad day," stated Torre Chisholm, PSU Director of Athletics. "PSU has a tremendous tradition in wrestling. Unfortunately, circumstances have changed in such a way that PSU can no longer field a program commensurate with the University's expectation for excellence."

In December, Chisholm made a recommendation to University President Wim Wiewel to review the program due to ongoing concerns that included financial viability, academic deficiencies and lack of competitiveness at the NCAA Division I level. On Jan. 14, Wiewel created a Task Force of seven individuals to conduct the review.

The Task Force solicited significant public input and held two public forums on the issue, reviewed academic issues, athletic budgetary issues, and competitiveness issues.

"I was impressed by the outpouring of concern for the wrestling program," said Wiewel. "However, this emotional support has not resulted in reliable financial support to sustain the program."

The Task Force recommended, based on the evidence reviewed and the current academic and budget climate, that Portland State University convert its wrestling program to club sport status.

The recommendation to drop the program as an NCAA Division I competitor was accepted by Chisholm and Wiewel.

"I don't believe that it was any single area of concern that led to the decision, but a combined effect of all the problems. Added together, the wrestling program was in serious distress and the University lacks the resources to fix the many problems," said Chisholm.

The program has not achieved an appropriate academic progress rate (APR) as mandated by the NCAA. In fact, two years of excellent APR scores by the wrestling program will still not be sufficient to avoid penalties severe enough to impact Portland State's entire athletics program, including its Division I status.

Also of great concern is the budgetary crisis in the state of Oregon and the University. The entire athletic program is engaged in major budget cutting for this year and next year. The financial realities of the present time preclude the ability to put additional monies toward the improvement of the program.

Those members of the current wrestling program presently receiving athletic scholarship money will continue to receive the same dollar amount, provided they maintain good academic standing, for the next three years or until they leave the university, whichever comes first. Further, all wrestlers who wish to transfer will be provided with individual support to facilitate the transition to other institutions they may wish to attend.

Portland State wrestling has a rich heritage and won NCAA Division II National Championships in 1967, 1989 and 1990. However, since converting to Division I status in 1996, the program has struggled to be competitive, finishing last in the Pac-10 each of the last seven years and defeating just one Division I level opponent in the past three years.

Portland State Athletics is an NCAA Division I member, competing in the Big Sky Conference. Sports include: soccer, volleyball, cross country, basketball, tennis, indoor track, outdoor track, golf and softball for women; and football, cross country, basketball, tennis, indoor track and outdoor track for men. Softball competes in the Pacific Coast Softball Conference.