Fresno State to host fundraiser for Valley RTC on Oct. 7

Fresno State head coach Troy Steiner and his staff invite fans and Bulldog faithful to their family fun night and fundraiser on Oct. 7 at the North Gym Banquet Hall on the Fresno State campus.


The night, hosted by Bulldog Wrestling and Wrestlers in Business Network NorCal chapter, will serve as a way meet Coach Steiner and assistant coach Israel Silva and their families as well as for the community to celebrate the return of the program.


On June 15, 2006, the Fresno State athletic department announced that it was cutting the wrestling program. After nearly 10 years of efforts from many in the community and a change of university president and athletic director, it was determined that the wrestling program would be reinstated and would start competition in the 2017-18 season.


“WIBN NorCal came to us and said they really wanted to help in putting an event together to reunite the Bulldog Wrestling family,” Steiner said. “It’s a great opportunity for everyone to get together and I can share the vision that we have and get these people back on board with this program. When it got dropped, a lot of people were very upset and rightfully so. They ended up separating themselves from Fresno State, but now we’re back and I want them back.”


The event includes dinner and several speakers, who will share their vision for the program.


Guest speakers include Fresno State University President Dr. Joseph Castro, Athletic Director Jim Bartko, former Bulldog head coach Dennis Deliddo, Executive Director of the National Wrestling Coaches Association Mike Moyer and Steiner.


Fresno State wrestling also looks to raise money for its newly implemented Valley Regional Training Center, which started Aug. 1, 2016.


“We’ve been running practices Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and we’ve opened it up to anyone who meets the criteria,” Steiner said. “We’ve had about 20 kids in there each night so it’s been really good so far.”


Steiner said he’s excited to get a Senior-level program started as well as the opportunity to work with local talent.


“We’re looking to bring in four or five athletes that want to make Fresno their home base and help provide them structure in their training. On top of that, we really want to help the younger talent that is around here and start developing them,” Steiner said.


Any individual or corporation is invited to donate at one of four levels or any amount he/she wishes:

• Platinum $2,500 - incl. 4 event tickets, 4 FS Wrestling t-shirts & name in program

• Gold $1,000 - incl. 2 event tickets, 2 FS Wrestling t-shirts & name in program

• Silver $500 - incl. 2 event tickets, 1 FS Wrestling t-shirt & name in program

• Bronze $250 - incl. 1 event tickets, 1 FS Wrestling t-shirt & name in program


Tickets for entry and dinner are $20 for kids and $30 for adults and can be purchased here. If you do not wish to buy a dinner ticket, you may purchase an entry ticket at the door at a lower price yet to be determined.


For any questions, contact Assistant Coach Israel Silva at 559-578-6036 or isilva@csufresno.edu.