U.S. Wrestling Foundation makes grant to start wrestling program at Fresno State

New York, NY, April 25, 2016 – As the NCAA concluded their 2016 Division I Wrestling Championships in New York City to a thunderous, sellout crowd, the United States Wrestling Foundation took a step to propel the growth of Division I wrestling by announcing a grant to help start a new wrestling program at Fresno State.

This will be the first Division I wrestling team to be reinstated since Bucknell and Binghamton Universities in 2006, said Mike Moyer, Executive Director of the National Wrestling Coaches Association.

Fresno State previously dropped wrestling in 2006, but President Joseph Castro has committed to bringing it back.  “We are extremely grateful for all the support we have received from the U.S. Wrestling Foundation and the wrestling community. We are really excited to bring back wrestling to Fresno State, providing young men the opportunity right here in the heart of the Valley to continue competing in the sport they love while getting their education close to home. Wrestling has such a rich tradition here both at Fresno State and in our community.”

Wrestling at Fresno State dates back to 1962 when it competed as an NCAA Division II program. In 1969 it made the move to Division I and won 11 team conference championships, had 14 top 25 finishes, three individuals that combined to win six national championships and 33 All-Americans. 

Jeff Waters, Chairman of the U.S. Wrestling Foundation, said “so many people are coming together to make this happen.  Wrestling helped shaped their lives and they are thankful for the opportunity to give back and pass it on to the next generation.

The timeline for Fresno State to add wrestling is as follows:

• March 2016 – Head coaching positions posted
• April-June 2016 – Announce hiring of head coaches for both programs
• July 2016 – Hiring of assistant coaches
• Summer 2016 – Recruitment of student-athletes begins
• November 2016 – Early signing period; recruits can sign National Letters of Intent to join Bulldog programs
• August 2017 – Student-athletes of the two sports arrive on campus
• Winter 2017-18 – Wrestling program begins competition

The grant from the U.S. Wrestling Foundation is a matching grant that doubles the donations received from Fresno State wrestling supporters.

About Fresno State

Fresno State Athletics features 19 NCAA Division I sport programs that will so go up to 21 sports with the addition of wrestling and women's water polo for the 2017-18 academic year. Athletics play a key role within the educational mission to advance knowledge and develop individuals to drive our collective progress. Our commitment, through determined effort, dedicated teamwork, creativity, openness, honesty and integrity is to focus on the best interests of our student-athletes and of Fresno State. In preparing our student-athletes for future success at the highest level, we will hone leadership and character that transcends the arena of athletics to promote the greater good.

About the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA)
The National Wrestling Coaches Association, established in 1928, is a non-profit organization for the advancement of all levels of the sport of wrestling with primary emphasis on developing coaches who work in academic environments. The membership embraces all people interested in amateur wrestling. The three core competencies of the NWCA are: coaching development, student-athlete welfare, and promotion of wrestling.

About the U.S. Wrestling Foundation:  The Foundation works closely other wrestling organizations to coordinate and fund growth opportunities for wrestling. Their mission is to grow wrestling at all levels across the United States.  The organization is a registered 501(c)(3) charity.