How to Keep Wrestling Relevant Out of Season

It may be what is considered wrestling’s offseason, but promoting, growing, and keeping wrestling relevant and in the spotlight never stops, no matter the time of year.

A trio of US Olympic wrestlers did their part in keeping wrestling front and center this late summer with their success at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Helen Maroulis became the first US women's wrestler to win a Gold Medal, Kyle Snyder, at the age of 20, became the youngest Olympic Gold Medalist in U.S. wrestling history, and J'Den Cox, a two-time NCAA champion at Missouri, earned a Bronze Medal.

Those successes energized wrestling fans of all ages. When not training, Cox has been active in the Missouri youth scene, and wrestlers throughout the state felt a great sense of pride with Cox’s international success.

"J'Den has been a great ambassador of the sport here in Missouri," says Matt Infranca, Director of the MOWest Youth Championship Wrestling Club and Kids Director for Missouri USA Wrestling. "He is humble and has a very exciting style of wrestling to watch. He's been a great role model for kids and is very receptive to a lot of requests. Kids love seeing him at the youth tourneys and he seems very excited to be there, always smiling and interacting with all the youth wrestlers." 

Throughout the county, there are numerous individuals and teams working together to promote and grow wrestling. On August 22, over 200 golfers participated in the Scarlet Knight Wrestling Club golf outing to benefit the Rutgers University wrestling program. In mid-August, Minnesota USA Wrestling Schoolboy, Cadet and Junior National Duals championship teams were recognized on the field prior to a Minnesota Twins game, while families and wrestlers stayed to watch the game together after.

John Azevedo was an NCAA champion who coached Calvary Chapel High School in California to seven CIF state wrestling titles. He has also coached at NCAA Division I Cal Poly, and currently runs the Azevedo-Hitchcock Wrestling Camps, one of the longest running camps in California.

"There are so many opportunities to promote and give back to the sport and the community throughout the year," says Azevedo. "My wrestlers have spoken to local Rotary clubs and service organizations, been involved in parades, and advocated the importance of being a scholar-athlete."

Members of the St. Cloud State University wrestling team kicked off the 2016-2017 school year with a neighborhood and campus walk, meeting and greeting students as they returned to the central Minnesota school's campus. In the coming months, SCSU wrestlers will box up food items as part of the Catholic Charities/Boy Scouts of America food drive.

“The opportunity for our young men to compete at the collegiate level is their privilege, not their right," notes Steve Costanzo, head coach of the Division II national champion SCSU wrestling team. "As ambassadors of the sport of wrestling, when we have the chance to give back to the community, we jump on it. Community engagement is just a small portion of being a collegiate wrestler at St. Cloud State University, and giving back is the least we can do as citizens in our communities.” 

Earlier this summer, members of the Oregon State University wrestling team spent time volunteering for cleanup and landscaping projects at Corvallis area schools. Being active and involved in the community is a two-way street, says Kevin Roberts, assistant wrestling coach at Oregon State University.

"We depend on support from the community whether it be attendance at matches, volunteering, or donating to our fundraising activities," Roberts says. “So it's important and beneficial for people to see

our student-athletes in a setting outside of competition. It helps create a following, builds your fan base and attracts new people into your support system.”

Joshua Nolan spends the school year as an assistant wrestling coach at Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota. He spends his summer working with youth, high school, and college wrestlers at the Legends of Gold wrestling club in Beresford, South Dakota. This unique site also contains two dormitories, 40 acres of space with outdoor basketball and sand volleyball courts, and a weight room. It's a place where area athletes in a wide variety of sports know well. On any given day, wrestlers may be training alongside local dance programs that use the facility for practices. The next day, the facility may be used for a weight lifting or nutritional seminar. The club hosts a barbecue for wrestlers and family members, as well as other community members, every Sunday in the summer.

"We have found that this allows us to create a stronger bond as a wrestling family because we are able to get to know everyone on a more personal level," Nolan says. "And the kids are able to hang out with each other in a situation outside of the wrestling room. As a wrestling club, we think it is extremely important to build a foundation that is based off of family values and community support."

Because ultimately, success in wrestling isn't just about wins and losses. It’s about growing as an individual and person, and growing the sport, year-round.

"To succeed in wrestling you have to bring out and strengthen the best of yourself," Azevedo points out. "It requires mental and physical discipline and commitment. These qualities become a part of who you are, after you step off the mat or leave the practice room. It's a way of thinking that carries over to you as an employee, community member, and in family life."