Takedown Report

2010 NWCA All-Star Classic to be held in Fresno November 21

The 45th edition of the NWCA All-Star Classic returns to California for the second straight year.  This annual event, pitting the top college wrestlers in the nation, will be held on Sunday, November 21, 2010 in Fresno, California at Selland Arena. The 2009 All-Stars were held at Cal State Fullerton.  According to a press statement from the National Wrestling Coaches Assocation, the 2010 NWCA All-Star Classic will serve as a fundraiser to assist in efforts to preserve and grow the number of college wrestling programs in the state of California. All proceeds from the event will be earmarked to fund strategic initiatives and public relation efforts for the California wrestling programs. As the NWCA points out, California-based NCAA Division I wrestling programs were hard hit, with the existence of wrestling at Cal State Fullerton, Cal State Bakersfield and UC Davis all seriously threatened.  “Having the All-Star Classic in California, will help to continue to promote awareness for the sport of wrestling which currently lacks opportunity within the state,” said Mike Mendoza, head coach Cal State Bakersfield. “While the need for opportunity is increasing with the growing number of participants at the high school level, the opportunities are being eliminated at the college level. The state of California needs to come together and support college wrestling with this event.”   Cal State Bakersfield has been granted another year of competition as well after undertaking large fundraising projects last year with the help of New England Patriot Stephen Neal, two-time NCAA heavyweight champ for the Roadrunners (beating UFC heavyweight champ Brock Lesnar for the title in 1999), and three-time All-Star Classic winner.  Last year, Cal State Fullerton hosted the All-Star Classic raising over $200,000 for their program along with countless donations. They have been granted a reprieve and are able to compete for the 2010-11 season, but must still continue to raise funds to keep their program.
Rest of story at http://www.examiner.com/college-wrestling-in-national/2010-nwca-all-star-classic-to-be-held-fresno-november-21?cid=examiner-email

November 20, 2010 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized