College Coaches Call to Action to Save Wrestling

[Leonard23]

A message from Army West Point Wrestling Associate Head Coach Scott Green regarding the state of college wrestling this season as we are at a crossroads with NCAA Wrestling changes and Division I athletics. Please read, share, and go support our in-state college wrestling teams this season - starting with the Black Knight Invite this weekend.
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Fellow NY Wrestling Enthusiasts,

Now is the time.

Being a college wrestling fan in our great state has never been more important. The season is here, and we hope to see you in the stands supporting your favorite program.

As you probably know, we are at a crossroads in Division I athletics, with the prospect of things like revenue sharing, NIL , the transfer portal and a whole host of other factors forcing athletic departments to take a hard look at their offerings. Administrators at some schools have the unenviable task of figuring out how to fund all of their programs at the current levels and how to remain competitive while staying financially solvent. The next few years are going to be interesting times for Division I wrestling.

We are blessed in New York to have healthy programs across the state, and we are thrilled here at West Point to be one of them. Each of the seven programs in NY has worked hard to cultivate strong ties to the local community it is a part of, and we need to all be mindful of how important it is to support and sustain college wrestling at all levels across the Empire State.

Here is my ask. You can call it a call to action if you wish. Buy tickets to an NCAA wrestling match this year and attend as many as you can. Yes, streaming is easier and allows you to do so from the comfort of your couch. Yes, some of you may have to travel a great distance to do this. But there is literally no substitute for a packed gym at a wrestling dual. It energizes the athletes. An experience like this keeps people coming back. But most importantly, administrators notice. Ticket sales are revenue. Revenue, now more than ever, matters.

If you aren't busy Sunday- come watch us take on Penn State and a host of other schools at the Black Knight Invite - Ticket link in article below.

Preseeds For The 2024 Black Knight Invitationals - FloWrestling

Preseeds have been released for the 2024 Black Knight Invitational!

www.flowrestling.org

If you can't make that one, find one you can attend. And bring a friend. Or ten.

We are very good at being relevant to ourselves in the wrestling community. We NEED to be relevant to our local communities as well. We need to show that we are an important piece of the overall athletics puzzle. I'm confident we can do this, together.

I'm asking you to show up this weekend, and I'm asking you to show up all year. Pick a program to support. Go watch them wrestle. Buy their gear. Donate to their program. Make a difference.

See you soon.

Scott Green
Associate Head Wrestling Coach
Army West Point

 

[Leonard23]

A message from Michigan Wrestling Head Coach Sean Bormet regarding college wrestling this season!! Great message on how we can all support our Michigan college programs amidst upcoming NCAA Wrestling changes:

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Dear Wrestling Families, Coaches, and Enthusiasts,

I hope you’re as excited as I am for the start of wrestling season! We’re at a pivotal time for NCAA Division I athletics, especially for Olympic sports like wrestling.

As many of you know, the recent House v. NCAA settlement has led to significant changes in college athletics. Consequently, Division I athletic departments nationwide are reassessing their sports offerings and making crucial decisions about resource allocation to adapt to this new financial landscape. One key factor in this process is the fan base strength reflected by attendance and growth potential.

Now more than ever, your support matters. The best way to shape the future of college wrestling is to show up, live and in person, at dual meets. While TV and streaming make it convenient to watch from home, this season is a call to action for in-person attendance—to fill our arenas, energize our teams, and demonstrate wrestling’s true value and popularity across the state of Michigan.

This isn’t just about our program; it’s a call to action for the entire Michigan wrestling community, especially for our Division I programs at Central Michigan University, Michigan State University, and the University of Michigan. Let’s make wrestling one of the most well-attended sports across every campus!

Our first home dual meet is this Sunday, November 17th, at 5 p.m. against Columbia at Crisler Center. I would love to see each of you there and bring your family and friends along! Coaches, please consider bringing your youth or high school wrestlers – let’s inspire the next generation by showing them the excitement of college wrestling firsthand.

Single meet tickets and group tickets are affordable, making it easy for everyone to join in. Your presence in the arena is crucial to strengthening the future of wrestling in the state of Michigan. Let’s make a powerful statement together!

Group - https://myumi.ch/3Q289
Single meet - https://myumi.ch/eg8rn

Thank you for your support, and I look forward to seeing many of you this Sunday at Crisler. Please consider and feel free to share this with everyone in your own wrestling network or community.

Sean Bormet
University of Michigan
Head Coach | Wrestling

 

[MS-RU]

The top 10 matchup between Iowa and Iowa State isn’t televised tonight, but is only available on BTN+. That is absolutely a travesty and once again, small time thinking for the wrestling world. Not helping growing the sport at all.

 

[SCNJ]

Hard to compete with football but Fridays are generally a dull day on the sports schedule. There should be a major dual televised every Friday night

 

[ScarletGrapfan]

Yea think have to put the blame on Iowa. Have the dual on Friday night or Sunday and perhaps it would be on the Big Ten network. But maybe Iowa likes this dual on Saturday night and does not care about being on TV...who knows.

 

[Leonard23]

The top 10 matchup between Iowa and Iowa State isn’t televised tonight, but is only available on BTN+. That is absolutely a travesty and once again, small time thinking for the wrestling world. Not helping growing the sport at all.

You don't have this dual on Sat competing with college football or even volleyball, which is what got the nod on regular BTN tv (#6 Wisconsin vs #2 Nebraska). Most of these wrestling coaches are clueless and kill the sport. Wrestling is a dead man walking unless drastic changes are made.

 

[west2east]

You don't have this dual on Sat competing with college football or even volleyball, which is what got the nod on regular BTN tv (#6 Wisconsin vs #2 Nebraska). Most of these wrestling coaches are clueless and kill the sport. Wrestling is a dead man walking unless drastic changes are made.

Last year 612 K watched Nebraska vs Wisconsin play volleyball on BTN. And 92k watched live in the football stadium. Last year 243 K watched Iowa vs Iowa st on ESPN. We as wrestling fans think our sport is bigger than it really is.

 

[ScarletGrapfan]

Last year 612 K watched Nebraska vs Wisconsin play volleyball on BTN. And 92k watched live in the football stadium. Last year 243 K watched Iowa vs Iowa st on ESPN. We as wrestling fans think our sport is bigger than it really is.

I agree and I do not blame the BigTen network for not airing it last night. More of a complaint that Iowa could have had the dual on Friday or Sunday to be on the Network(maybe that was not an option).

 

[Leonard23]

Last year 612 K watched Nebraska vs Wisconsin play volleyball on BTN. And 92k watched live in the football stadium. Last year 243 K watched Iowa vs Iowa st on ESPN. We as wrestling fans think our sport is bigger than it really is.

Many here are grounded in reality and don't. Unfortunately, many other fans and too many college coaches are delusional. There's a reason volleyball is now getting games on broadcast networks with ABC, NBC, and Fox televising games, and BTN is televising 69 volleyball games, but only 24 wrestling duals. NBC aired 3 volleyball games on different Sat afternoons, with Nebraska/tOSU having 514K viewers on 10/19 directly competing with college football. Nebraska/Louisville drew 684K on ABC directly competing with Sun NFL games on 9/22. Fox, FS1, ESPN, ESPNU, ACCN, SECN also televise volleyball games. Last year's Nebraska/Texas volleyball national championship drew 1.7M viewers on ABC competing directly with Sun NFL games (and the semis had 1.1M viewers). NCAA wrestling championship TV viewership is going the opposite direction:

NCAA Wrestling Finals Hits Six-Year Low​

The final night of the NCAA wrestling championships had a 0.34 rating and 628,000 viewers on ESPN2 Saturday night, down 8% in ratings and 15% in viewership from last year (0.37, 735K) and down 6% and 4% respectively from 2016 (0.36, 655K). It was the smallest audience for the final night since 2012 (554K). Prior to this year, the final night aired on ESPN.

Semifinal coverage last Friday had a 0.26 (-13%) and 451,000 (+2%) on ESPN.

Ratings: PGA Match Play, NCAA Wrestling, Spring Training, EPL

Tiger Woods may have the week off, but that has not slowed the PGA ratings roll. Meanwhile, a channel change sank the NCAA wrestling championship, and the Yankees continue to move the needle in spring training.

www.sportsmediawatch.com

 

[west2east]

Many here are grounded in reality and don't. Unfortunately, many other fans and too many college coaches are delusional. There's a reason volleyball is now getting games on broadcast networks with ABC, NBC, and Fox televising games, and BTN is televising 69 volleyball games, but only 24 wrestling duals. NBC aired 3 volleyball games on different Sat afternoons, with Nebraska/tOSU having 514K viewers on 10/19 directly competing with college football. Nebraska/Louisville drew 684K on ABC directly competing with Sun NFL games on 9/22. Fox, FS1, ESPN, ESPNU, ACCN, SECN also televise volleyball games. Last year's Nebraska/Texas volleyball national championship drew 1.7M viewers on ABC competing directly with Sun NFL games (and the semis had 1.1M viewers). NCAA wrestling championship TV viewership is going the opposite direction:

NCAA Wrestling Finals Hits Six-Year Low​

The final night of the NCAA wrestling championships had a 0.34 rating and 628,000 viewers on ESPN2 Saturday night, down 8% in ratings and 15% in viewership from last year (0.37, 735K) and down 6% and 4% respectively from 2016 (0.36, 655K). It was the smallest audience for the final night since 2012 (554K). Prior to this year, the final night aired on ESPN.

Semifinal coverage last Friday had a 0.26 (-13%) and 451,000 (+2%) on ESPN.

Ratings: PGA Match Play, NCAA Wrestling, Spring Training, EPL

Tiger Woods may have the week off, but that has not slowed the PGA ratings roll. Meanwhile, a channel change sank the NCAA wrestling championship, and the Yankees continue to move the needle in spring training.

www.sportsmediawatch.com

View embedded media

Wrestling is always reactive and not proactive. We waited until we were dropped from the Olympics before we acted. We will wait until 15 programs get dropped and then think of a plan. Not sure why it's that way but it is

 

[KidDagger]

Wrestling is always reactive and not proactive. We waited until we were dropped from the Olympics before we acted. We will wait until 15 programs get dropped and then think of a plan. Not sure why it's that way but it is

The Year : 1975 - # of division 1 program: 155
: 2025- # of division 1 program: 79
: 2075- # of division 1 program: ????

 

[west2east]

The Year : 1975 - # of division 1 program: 155
: 2025- # of division 1 program: 79
: 2075- # of division 1 program: ????

Probably way less than 1/2

 

[Leonard23]

Wrestling is always reactive and not proactive. We waited until we were dropped from the Olympics before we acted. We will wait until 15 programs get dropped and then think of a plan. Not sure why it's that way but it is

Agreed. It's sad. There's a lack of leadership and cohesive vision from the top programs, coaches, donors, and organizations, because some are too concerned with only maintaining their dominance and fiefdoms, and others just can't get enough support for change. We have 79 D1 programs, but wouldn't be surprised if that drops to 60ish over the next 10-20 years. Everyone will point to women's wrestling participation growing as the savior but it isn't. Viewership and competitiveness are not there.

 

[koleszar]

Wrestling is always reactive and not proactive. We waited until we were dropped from the Olympics before we acted. We will wait until 15 programs get dropped and then think of a plan. Not sure why it's that way but it is

15? When revenue sharing is given the green light, you can count on close to double that as everyone tries to keep up with the Jonze's(football/basketball). This sport is always the first to go in AD's minds, look no further than when Title IX was implemented.

 

[west2east]

15? When revenue sharing is given the green light, you can count on close to double that as everyone tries to keep up with the Jonze's(football/basketball). This sport is always the first to go in AD's minds, look no further than when Title IX was implemented.

I don't think we see 30 programs dropped for awhile but we are definitely in trouble

 

[koleszar]

I don't think we see 30 programs dropped for awhile but we are definitely in trouble

Schools outside the B1G will be scrambling to come up with the $22 mil. they set as the max revenue share and funding 105 scholarships up from 85 for football. They cut wrestling they can then cut a women's sport. Most of the Big 12 and ACC will be gone.

 

[west2east]

Schools outside the B1G will be scrambling to come up with the $22 mil. they set as the max revenue share and funding 105 scholarships up from 85 for football. They cut wrestling they can then cut a women's sport. Most of the Big 12 and ACC will be gone.

I'm aware of the revenue sharing. I just don't think that we see it all happen that fast. I know 2 Big 10 wrestling programs are going from 9.9 to 5 scholarships next year. You gotta remember schools still need 14 sports to remain D1 in football and basketball

 

[rags]

I'm aware of the revenue sharing. I just don't think that we see it all happen that fast. I know 2 Big 10 wrestling programs are going from 9.9 to 5 scholarships next year. You gotta remember schools still need 14 sports to remain D1 in football and basketball

Which 2?

 

[ScarletGrapfan]

Which 2?

I have heard Wisc is one of them.

 

[west2east]

Which 2?

Wisconsin and Michigan St

 

[Leonard23]

I'm aware of the revenue sharing. I just don't think that we see it all happen that fast. I know 2 Big 10 wrestling programs are going from 9.9 to 5 scholarships next year. You gotta remember schools still need 14 sports to remain D1 in football and basketball

Not good that 2 are dropping wrestling schollies to 5, but not surprised and unfortunately I expect more. That 14 sports rule could eventually change to 10-12 or even be eliminated entirely as long as schools are willing to share a certain revenue amount with football and basketball. Sadly, no one really cares about anything else. Other sports like wrestling will be left to self-fund schollies through donations or just struggle to compete and eventually drop down to D3 or entirely drop the sport. Olympic sports are in trouble and this will eventually impact our performance at the Olympics overall if something doesn't change. Are Olympic sports just going to all be club sports now?

 

[west2east]

Not good that 2 are dropping wrestling schollies to 5, but not surprised and unfortunately I expect more. That 14 sports rule could eventually change to 10-12 or even be eliminated entirely as long as schools are willing to share a certain revenue amount with football and basketball. Sadly, no one really cares about anything else. Other sports like wrestling will be left to self-fund schollies through donations or just struggle to compete and eventually drop down to D3 or entirely drop the sport. Olympic sports are in trouble and this will eventually impact our performance at the Olympics overall if something doesn't change. Are Olympic sports just going to all be club sports now?

I can see Administrations trying to lobby for 14 to be dropped down. Club sports are definitely where I see Olympic sports going in the future

 

[koleszar]

I'm aware of the revenue sharing. I just don't think that we see it all happen that fast. I know 2 Big 10 wrestling programs are going from 9.9 to 5 scholarships next year. You gotta remember schools still need 14 sports to remain D1 in football and basketball

It's starting, Cleveland St. who has a decent program is dropping wrestling. Down to 76 now.

 

[biochemist01]

It's starting, Cleveland St. who has a decent program is dropping wrestling. Down to 76 now.

They are also dropping women's golf and softball.

 

[PessimisticallyHopefulPragmatist]

A call to action in November! So, what action has taken place?

 

[rpiseman]

Guys wrestling for 10 years and the same teams having 5 guys in the finals year after year isn’t helping the sport either.

Who really needs to see 28 year old Gable Stevenson win another NCAA title. It’s boring at this point.

 

[KidDagger]

A call to action in November! So, what action has taken place?

A National dual tourney next year hosted at okie state w $1mm prizepool is a decent start— better then nothing at least— at least something to build in for the future..

A bit perplexing Cael refuses to send PSU to it.. kinda falls in line w his load management- make it to nationals healthy- philosophy… doubt PSU will send their first teamers to any more tournies in the future… but they could at least send a team of backups to it.. why not, probably good enough to place high still.

 

[PessimisticallyHopefulPragmatist]

I'll ask again, what action is taking place? What are the actions needed? Let's start small, what is Rutgers doing to promote wrestling?

 

[LETSGORU91]

I'll ask again, what action is taking place? What are the actions needed? Let's start small, what is Rutgers doing to promote wrestling?

T-shirt toss, $1 popcorn and the Rizzler!!

 

[PessimisticallyHopefulPragmatist]

T-shirt toss, $1 popcorn and the Rizzler!!

Well, that should do it. BTW, I had no idea what that kid was all about.

 

[LETSGORU91]

Well, that should do it. BTW, I had no idea what that kid was all about.

Me neither. I actually felt bad for the kid.

 

[west2east]

It's starting, Cleveland St. who has a decent program is dropping wrestling. Down to 76 now.

Cleveland st has nothing to do with revenue sharing. The university as a whole is $422 million in debt. Cleveland st doesn't even have football. They do have basketball though

 

[KidDagger]

Me neither. I actually felt bad for the kid.

Y did u feel bad for him?

 

[PessimisticallyHopefulPragmatist]

Y did u feel bad for him?

I won't comment much because I fear he may be the son of someone on here. There is no need to feel sorry; he thinks that routine is something special. Apparently, he has gotten some attention from it.

 

[LETSGORU91]

Y did u feel bad for him?

Other than being a grossly obese eight year old who is setting himself up for a host of health problems?

 

[SCNJ]

He probably has more money than most people on this board

 

[UnderHooks]

Guys wrestling for 10 years and the same teams having 5 guys in the finals year after year isn’t helping the sport either.

Who really needs to see 28 year old Gable Stevenson win another NCAA title. It’s boring at this point.

Gable Stevenson is pure excitement. An Olympic champion. Everyone wants to see him. He brings lots and lots of eyeballs to the sport.

 

[LETSGORU91]

Gable Stevenson is pure excitement. An Olympic champion. Everyone wants to see him. He brings lots and lots of eyeballs to the sport.

Not everyone. I couldn't care less if I saw him based on his antics in the past.

 

[Leonard23]

I'll ask again, what action is taking place? What are the actions needed? Let's start small, what is Rutgers doing to promote wrestling?

You really are lost. Rutgers constantly promotes wrestling, and has been a leader advocating the importance of dual meets, to create a real entertainment event, and have a dual championship. We constantly lobby the NCAA, NWCA, and other programs to focus on duals and have a dual championship. Duals are the only thing that will save wrestling. Just look at what women's volleyball is doing in the B1G and other top programs. Why do you think we typically have top 5 attendance for dual meets? We're also very active on social media and in the community promoting wrestling. We run coaches clinics, tournaments, camps, SKWC, steady outreach to youth, rec, MS/HS and clubs, volunteer events, fundraisers, among other things.

 

[ScarletGrapfan]

You really are lost. Rutgers constantly promotes wrestling, and has been a leader advocating the importance oft dual meets, to create a real entertainment event, and have a dual championship. We constantly lobby the NCAA, NWCA, and other programs to focus on duals and have a dual championship. Duals are the only thing that will save wrestling. Just look at what women's volleyball is doing in the B1G and other top programs. Why do you think we typically have top 5 attendance for dual meets? We're also very active on social media and in the community promoting wrestling. We run coaches clinics, tournaments, camps, SKWC, steady outreach to youth, rec, MS/HS and clubs, volunteer events, fundraisers, among other things.

This, ^^^^^ Rutgers does a great job promoting wrestling. They are also very active in inviting youth teams, HS teams to their home duals(and a very steep discount)