The Case for NCAA D-II Wrestling 2007/08 Prepared by the National Wrestling Coaches Association.

The Case for NCAA D-II The Case for NCAA D-II Wrestling 2007/08Wrestling 2007/08

Prepared by the National Prepared by the National Wrestling Coaches Wrestling Coaches AssociationAssociation

Historical Background of WrestlingHistorical Background of Wrestling• Intercollegiate wrestling has been in existence over 100 Intercollegiate wrestling has been in existence over 100

years.years.

• Wrestling was included in the ancient Olympic Games, Wrestling was included in the ancient Olympic Games, and was one of the select sports included in the first and was one of the select sports included in the first modern Games in Athens, Greece in 1896modern Games in Athens, Greece in 1896

• Wrestling is one of the top three medal winning sports in Wrestling is one of the top three medal winning sports in the last several Olympic gamesthe last several Olympic games

• There has been a women’s World Championships in There has been a women’s World Championships in wrestling since 1987, and the US Women’s National team wrestling since 1987, and the US Women’s National team is currently one of the top programs in the world is currently one of the top programs in the world capturing a silver and bronze medal at the 2004 Olympic capturing a silver and bronze medal at the 2004 Olympic GamesGames

• Wrestling is considered by many historians as the world’s Wrestling is considered by many historians as the world’s oldest sportoldest sport

Why Wrestling?Why Wrestling?

"As a young man, I participated in wrestling, and "As a young man, I participated in wrestling, and later had the privilege of helping others later had the privilege of helping others experience the sport as both a teacher and a experience the sport as both a teacher and a coach. Wrestling has played a vital role in coach. Wrestling has played a vital role in developing our nation's young people. No sport developing our nation's young people. No sport demands more in courage, discipline, and demands more in courage, discipline, and perseverance.“perseverance.“

Dennis Hastert, Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the US Speaker of the US

House of House of RepresentativesRepresentatives

Why Wrestling Belongs at Why Wrestling Belongs at <insert college here><insert college here>

I. I. Indigenous To Your Geographic AreaIndigenous To Your Geographic Area

II. II. Wrestling provides opportunities for all sizes and diversityWrestling provides opportunities for all sizes and diversity

III.III. Opportunity For Regionally Competitive ProgramOpportunity For Regionally Competitive Program

IV.IV. High School Participation TrendsHigh School Participation Trends

V.V. Academic Achievement of Scholastic/Collegiate Wrestlers Academic Achievement of Scholastic/Collegiate Wrestlers

VI.VI. Modest Cost for Establishing a ProgramModest Cost for Establishing a Program

VII.VII. Wrestling’s Outstanding AmericansWrestling’s Outstanding Americans

High School wrestling is indigenous to the region even High School wrestling is indigenous to the region even though it is very underserved at the collegiate levelthough it is very underserved at the collegiate level

Supports DiversitySupports Diversity Historically a “Blue-Collar” Sport, Wrestling Attracts Students From all Socio-Historically a “Blue-Collar” Sport, Wrestling Attracts Students From all Socio-

Economic BackgroundsEconomic Backgrounds

Composition of 2004 Olympic Freestyle Wrestling Team Reflected Wrestling’s Composition of 2004 Olympic Freestyle Wrestling Team Reflected Wrestling’s DiversityDiversity

Sport Provides Opportunity to Physically Smaller Athlete Due to Weight Sport Provides Opportunity to Physically Smaller Athlete Due to Weight Classification CompetitionClassification Competition

One of the Few Sports to Provide Mainstream Opportunity to the Blind, Deaf and One of the Few Sports to Provide Mainstream Opportunity to the Blind, Deaf and Physically Handicapped Student-AthletePhysically Handicapped Student-Athlete

Women’s wrestling is now an Olympic sport and Women’s wrestling is now an Olympic sport and over 5000 young women are wrestling in high over 5000 young women are wrestling in high schools across Americaschools across America

Ability to Increase EnrollmentAbility to Increase Enrollment• (College) will attract a diverse population. (College) will attract a diverse population. Historically, wrestling has Historically, wrestling has

been very competitive at Ivy League and pseudo Ivy League schools been very competitive at Ivy League and pseudo Ivy League schools as evidenced by the fact that Cornell, Pennsylvania, Columbia, and as evidenced by the fact that Cornell, Pennsylvania, Columbia, and Lehigh are all top 25 teams. Harvard and Stanford have both had Lehigh are all top 25 teams. Harvard and Stanford have both had NCAA Champions over the past 4 yearsNCAA Champions over the past 4 years

• Historically, wrestling is a “blue collar” sport so your university can Historically, wrestling is a “blue collar” sport so your university can expect to attract student-athletes from diverse socio-economic expect to attract student-athletes from diverse socio-economic backgroundsbackgrounds

• With the national average of collegiate undergraduate enrollment With the national average of collegiate undergraduate enrollment projected to be 59% female by 2010, wrestling is uniquely positioned projected to be 59% female by 2010, wrestling is uniquely positioned to help colleges bolster male enrollment since roughly only 300 to help colleges bolster male enrollment since roughly only 300 colleges offer wrestlingcolleges offer wrestling

““The addition of a wrestling program provided Tri State University the The addition of a wrestling program provided Tri State University the opportunity to increase enrollment with outstanding academic male opportunity to increase enrollment with outstanding academic male student-athletes”student-athletes”

Shelia KovalchickShelia KovalchickVice President of AdministrationVice President of AdministrationTri State UniversityTri State University

High School WrestlersHigh School WrestlersUnder Recruited Talent PoolUnder Recruited Talent Pool

Sport High School Participants

College Participants

Percent HS to NCAA

1. Football 1,104,548 60,117 5.4

2. Basketball 556,269 16,271 2.9

3. Track and Field (outdoor) 544,180 21,686 3.9

4. Baseball 477,430 28,009 5.8

5. Soccer 377,999 19,291 5.1

6. Wrestling 257,246 5939 2.3

7. Cross Country 216,085 11,638 5.3

8. Golf 159,747 7,953 4.9

9. Tennis 156,944 7,386 4.7

10. Swimming/Diving 106,738 7,650 7.1

TOTALS 3,863,296 185,940 4.8

Ability to Generate RevenueAbility to Generate Revenue

• A college can sponsor wrestling for minimum cost A college can sponsor wrestling for minimum cost while increasing student enrollment (it is not unusual while increasing student enrollment (it is not unusual for the entire operating budget to be less than the for the entire operating budget to be less than the tuition/fee cost of one student).tuition/fee cost of one student).

• Colleges can attract 20-25 new full time students to Colleges can attract 20-25 new full time students to campus each year, thus generating new tuition/fee campus each year, thus generating new tuition/fee dolldollars annuallyars annually

• Examples of new D-II wrestling teams and success in Examples of new D-II wrestling teams and success in recruiting new students to campus in the first yearrecruiting new students to campus in the first year

- - Grand Canyon University (AZ) 38 student-athletesGrand Canyon University (AZ) 38 student-athletes- New Mexico Highlands (NM) – 20 student-athletes- New Mexico Highlands (NM) – 20 student-athletes- Mesa State University (CO) – 42 student-athletes- Mesa State University (CO) – 42 student-athletes

Ability to be Competitive on Ability to be Competitive on A National LevelA National Level

• At the past three NCAA Division II Championships, over 70% At the past three NCAA Division II Championships, over 70% of the schools competing on the Division II level where of the schools competing on the Division II level where represented at the National Championshipsrepresented at the National Championships

• 25 Schools on the Division II level had at least one NCAA All-25 Schools on the Division II level had at least one NCAA All-American at the past three NCAA Championships. This is American at the past three NCAA Championships. This is over 65% of all DII programsover 65% of all DII programs

• New programs such as Limestone College, New Mexico New programs such as Limestone College, New Mexico Highlands and Newberry College had All-Americans in their Highlands and Newberry College had All-Americans in their first or second year of existence first or second year of existence

Modest Cost / Minimum NeedsModest Cost / Minimum Needs

• Wrestling has one of the lowest cost per student athlete of any NCAA Wrestling has one of the lowest cost per student athlete of any NCAA male sport male sport (On average approximately $1,000.00 spent per (On average approximately $1,000.00 spent per student athlete based on the NCAA Equity In Athletics Disclosure Act student athlete based on the NCAA Equity In Athletics Disclosure Act report)report)

• Typical Operating Budget (based on San Francisco State University Typical Operating Budget (based on San Francisco State University Operating Budget - $49,000)Operating Budget - $49,000) See sample schedule on next slideSee sample schedule on next slide

3,000 recruiting3,000 recruiting

34,500 meals, lodging, transportation34,500 meals, lodging, transportation

5,900 Team supplies and equipment5,900 Team supplies and equipment

4,500 entry fees and officials4,500 entry fees and officials

1,250 organizational dues1,250 organizational dues

• Modest facilities requirements (practice facility ideally Modest facilities requirements (practice facility ideally

accommodates two 42’ x 42’ wrestling mats. Cost of mats are accommodates two 42’ x 42’ wrestling mats. Cost of mats are $10,000 each) $10,000 each)

• Coaches Salary - $50,000 (could be considerably less if combined Coaches Salary - $50,000 (could be considerably less if combined with another administrative/teaching responsibility on campus)with another administrative/teaching responsibility on campus)

Sample ScheduleSample Schedule

National Trends to Support Adding National Trends to Support Adding WrestlingWrestling

• According to The National High School Federation According to The National High School Federation participation statistics, high school wrestling participation participation statistics, high school wrestling participation has increased by over 25,000 since 1998 has increased by over 25,000 since 1998

• Since 1994, the number of women participating in high Since 1994, the number of women participating in high school wrestling has grown from 804 to 4975school wrestling has grown from 804 to 4975

• Since 1994, the number of high schools that sponsor Since 1994, the number of high schools that sponsor wrestling has grown from 8559 to 9445wrestling has grown from 8559 to 9445

• Since 1994, the number of high school participants in Since 1994, the number of high school participants in wrestling for boys and girls has grown from 222,429 to wrestling for boys and girls has grown from 222,429 to 262,294262,294

High School Participation RatesHigh School Participation Rates

• Wrestling ranks 6Wrestling ranks 6thth out of 33 sports in terms out of 33 sports in terms of individual participation (257,246 of individual participation (257,246 boys/5048 girls) boys/5048 girls)

• Wrestling has more high school participants Wrestling has more high school participants then cross country, tennis, swimming & then cross country, tennis, swimming & diving, ice hockey, lacrosse, golf, gymnasticsdiving, ice hockey, lacrosse, golf, gymnastics

Source: National Federation of High School Associations reportNational Federation of High School Associations report

Strength of Wrestling on the Strength of Wrestling on the College LevelCollege Level

Wrestling Championships at the Wrestling Championships at the college level:college level:

• Its ranks in the top five in terms of revenue at the Its ranks in the top five in terms of revenue at the NCAA Division I ChampionshipsNCAA Division I Championships

• The NCAA D-I Championships are typically sold The NCAA D-I Championships are typically sold out (over 97,000 tickets are sold each year)out (over 97,000 tickets are sold each year)

• 52 new intercollegiate wrestling programs have 52 new intercollegiate wrestling programs have been added or reinstated in the past five yearsbeen added or reinstated in the past five years

Wrestling’s Vital SignsWrestling’s Vital Signs 52 New or Re-Instated Wrestling Programs Since 199952 New or Re-Instated Wrestling Programs Since 1999

Division I (5)Division I (5)Binghamton, Bucknell, Liberty, Utah Valley, Sacred HeartBinghamton, Bucknell, Liberty, Utah Valley, Sacred Heart

Division II (9)Division II (9)Mercyhurst, Grand Canyon, Newberry, Limestone, New Mexico Highlands, CSU-Mercyhurst, Grand Canyon, Newberry, Limestone, New Mexico Highlands, CSU-

Pueblo, St. Andrews Presbyterian, Belmont Abbey, Mesa StatePueblo, St. Andrews Presbyterian, Belmont Abbey, Mesa StateDivision III (3)Division III (3)

Stevens Institute of Technology, Tri-State University, OlivetStevens Institute of Technology, Tri-State University, OlivetNAIA (18)NAIA (18)

California Baptist, Menlo, McKendree, Grand View, Newman*, Campbellsville, California Baptist, Menlo, McKendree, Grand View, Newman*, Campbellsville, Hannibal-LaGrange, Great Falls, Hastings, York (Neb.), Notre Dame College, Hannibal-LaGrange, Great Falls, Hastings, York (Neb.), Notre Dame College,

Bacone, Oklahoma City U., Seton Hill*, Sioux Falls, King College, West Virginia Bacone, Oklahoma City U., Seton Hill*, Sioux Falls, King College, West Virginia Tech, MorningsideTech, Morningside

*- indicates current re-classification to NCAA Division II*- indicates current re-classification to NCAA Division IIJUCO (10)JUCO (10)

Darton College, Rend Lake, Iowa Lakes, North Iowa Area CC, Wentworth Military, Darton College, Rend Lake, Iowa Lakes, North Iowa Area CC, Wentworth Military, Southwestern Oregon, Spartanburg Methodist, Mercyhurst NorthEast, Pratt CC, Southwestern Oregon, Spartanburg Methodist, Mercyhurst NorthEast, Pratt CC,

West Hills (Calif.)West Hills (Calif.)WOMEN (7)WOMEN (7)

Pacific, Missouri Valley, Menlo, U. of the Cumberlands, Missouri Baptist, Jamestown, Pacific, Missouri Valley, Menlo, U. of the Cumberlands, Missouri Baptist, Jamestown, Oklahoma CityOklahoma City

Wrestlers Perform on and off the Wrestlers Perform on and off the MatMat

• The average G.P.A. of the nation’s top elite high school The average G.P.A. of the nation’s top elite high school wrestler competing in the High School National wrestler competing in the High School National Championships is 3.0Championships is 3.0

• Elite academic institutions are succeeding in Division I Elite academic institutions are succeeding in Division I wrestling:wrestling:

- The Ivy league has three teams ranked in the Top 25 - The Ivy league has three teams ranked in the Top 25

- Stanford, Harvard and Lehigh each had an NCAA - Stanford, Harvard and Lehigh each had an NCAA Champion in the past five years Champion in the past five years

- Elite wrestlers succeed in classroom as nine of the 20 - Elite wrestlers succeed in classroom as nine of the 20 NCAA Division I finalists were recognized on the NWCA All NCAA Division I finalists were recognized on the NWCA All Academic TeamAcademic Team

How the NWCA Can Help !How the NWCA Can Help !

NWCA Quick FactsNWCA Quick Facts

Headquarters office located in Manheim, PAHeadquarters office located in Manheim, PA

Six full time staff advocating on behalf of wrestling every daySix full time staff advocating on behalf of wrestling every day

NWCA and Intermat Website Memberships over 8,000NWCA and Intermat Website Memberships over 8,000

Official websites: Official websites: www.nwcaonline.com and and www.intermatwrestle.com

Association is comprised of thirty four Board of Directors Association is comprised of thirty four Board of Directors (collegiate and scholastic coaches, businessmen, affiliated groups)(collegiate and scholastic coaches, businessmen, affiliated groups)

Affiliated Groups on Affiliated Groups on NWCA Board of DirectorsNWCA Board of Directors

National Collegiate Athletic AssociationNational Collegiate Athletic Association National Association of Intercollegiate AthleticsNational Association of Intercollegiate Athletics National Junior College Athletic AssociationNational Junior College Athletic Association California Community Colleges (COA)California Community Colleges (COA) National Federation of State High School AssociationsNational Federation of State High School Associations National Wrestling Officials AssociationNational Wrestling Officials Association USA WrestlingUSA Wrestling National Wrestling Hall of FameNational Wrestling Hall of Fame

Success of the NWCASuccess of the NWCA

38 State Associations, National Preps and all collegiate governing 38 State Associations, National Preps and all collegiate governing bodies license the Optimal Performance Calculator Program to help bodies license the Optimal Performance Calculator Program to help wrestlers maximize their performance through proven sport science wrestlers maximize their performance through proven sport science and sport nutrition practicesand sport nutrition practices

Played important roles in establishing many of the 47 new Played important roles in establishing many of the 47 new intercollegiate wrestling programs since 1999intercollegiate wrestling programs since 1999

Numerous mainstream companies and governmental agencies Numerous mainstream companies and governmental agencies investing in the NWCA and wrestling (see investing in the NWCA and wrestling (see www.nwcaonline.com for a listing)for a listing)

NWCA has received over $250,000 in government grants to modify NWCA has received over $250,000 in government grants to modify the wrestling weight management program for use in combating the wrestling weight management program for use in combating childhood obesity in schools across Americachildhood obesity in schools across America

The NWCA Can Provide the Following:The NWCA Can Provide the Following:

                  • Grass roots support for wrestling in west region (every head high Grass roots support for wrestling in west region (every head high

school wrestling coach in – list regional states -- are members of school wrestling coach in – list regional states -- are members of the NWCA)the NWCA)

• Provide assistance in securing program start up funds and Provide assistance in securing program start up funds and equipment (we can get uniforms and practice gear donated) equipment (we can get uniforms and practice gear donated)

• Assist with scheduling and conference affiliation initiativesAssist with scheduling and conference affiliation initiatives

• Provide professional development for coaching staff if necessary Provide professional development for coaching staff if necessary

• Promote the new intercollegiate program nationallyPromote the new intercollegiate program nationally

Educational programs that strengthen the proficiencies of Educational programs that strengthen the proficiencies of coaches and strengthen wrestling’s alignment with coaches and strengthen wrestling’s alignment with

educational valueseducational values

Leadership Training Coaches and AthletesLeadership Training Coaches and Athletes– online leadership – online leadership training course from Missouri State University delivered for 1 college training course from Missouri State University delivered for 1 college graduate creditgraduate credit

Coaches Resource GuideCoaches Resource Guide – 600 page administrative – 600 page administrative manual for scholastic and collegiate coachesmanual for scholastic and collegiate coaches

Technique Video LibraryTechnique Video Library

Novations Online CoursesNovations Online Courses - Eight online courses (4 hours each) designed to - Eight online courses (4 hours each) designed to enhance a coach’s “small business CEO” skills (public speaking, enhance a coach’s “small business CEO” skills (public speaking, negotiations, communications, conflict resolution, etc.)negotiations, communications, conflict resolution, etc.)

Professional development seminars at annual conventionProfessional development seminars at annual convention

Opportunity to Sell Wrestling as an Opportunity to Sell Wrestling as an Educational Program as opposed to Educational Program as opposed to

an Extra Curricular Activity:an Extra Curricular Activity: Promoting fitness Promoting fitness – the online weight management/sport – the online weight management/sport

nutrition known as the Optimal Performance Calculator nutrition known as the Optimal Performance Calculator (OPC) currently serves 240,000 middle school, high (OPC) currently serves 240,000 middle school, high school, and college wrestlers annually. school, and college wrestlers annually.

Pinning Childhood Obesity Pinning Childhood Obesity - The NWCA has collaborated - The NWCA has collaborated with a variety of governmental agencies to migrate a with a variety of governmental agencies to migrate a modified version of the OPC into elementary and modified version of the OPC into elementary and secondary schools for the purpose of combating childhood secondary schools for the purpose of combating childhood obesity.obesity.

Mainstream Strategic Partners Mainstream Strategic Partners – USDA, United States – USDA, United States Marine Corps, The Hershey Company, Tanita and BodPodMarine Corps, The Hershey Company, Tanita and BodPod

NWCA Speaking PointsNWCA Speaking Points

Leader since 1928 in developing educational programs that Leader since 1928 in developing educational programs that strengthen proficiencies of coaches, enhance the competitive strengthen proficiencies of coaches, enhance the competitive experience and life skills of wrestlers, and align wrestling with experience and life skills of wrestlers, and align wrestling with educational valueseducational values

Leader in promoting fitness/nutrition in "physical education" Leader in promoting fitness/nutrition in "physical education" communities, general student population, and "all sport" markets at communities, general student population, and "all sport" markets at scholastic and collegiate levelsscholastic and collegiate levels

Serve as official voice for folk-style wrestling in high school and Serve as official voice for folk-style wrestling in high school and collegecollege

Leader in saving threatened wrestling programs and establishing Leader in saving threatened wrestling programs and establishing new onesnew ones

Provider of nationally recognized events for high school and college Provider of nationally recognized events for high school and college wrestlers wrestlers 

Leader in enhancing the positive reputation of wrestling and its Leader in enhancing the positive reputation of wrestling and its values in the mainstream populationvalues in the mainstream population

THE NATIONAL WRESTLING COACHES THE NATIONAL WRESTLING COACHES ASSOCIATIONASSOCIATION

For More Information Contact:For More Information Contact: Mike Moyer – Executive DirectorMike Moyer – Executive Director

P.O. Box 254P.O. Box 254

Manheim, PA 17544Manheim, PA 17544

[email protected]

Your Wrestling Support StaffYour Wrestling Support Staff