Takedown Report

Welcome to the Party: Meet Your New DII Wrestling Programs

There may be those out there who are unexcited by the growth being shown by divisions that are not NCAA Division I. I myself and TheOpenMat are not those people. We celebrate and embrace the #GrowTheSport movement at all levels. Whether it be our expanded Division II coverage over the last 18 months, our coverage of Women’s Wrestling, high school, and international news, we are on board for any and all things that can help our sport grow. I am excited to introduce you to some new members of the fraternity/sorority this coming NCAA wrestling season. There will be three new universities and a college joining the NCAA Division II Men’s Wrestling ranks in 2019-20. In a couple of cases, they will be lead by names that Division I fans should remember. These programs are helping to lay down roots in the East and the South that are in areas full of talented wrestlers who can now continue their athletic careers at the next level. It will not be for lack of opportunities that a high schooler can choose to wrestle in college and that is how we help to grow the sport. Athletes stay as fans after they graduate and if they have alma mater to cheer for we can see programs attract future donors, sponsors, fans, and legacies. Two new programs break ground in West Virginia while the Carolinas each pick up a new program of their own. Growing the sport in the southeast is so important, there are only a few Division I opportunities in the south and until the addition of Little Rock, none outside of the Carolinas and Chattanooga. That leaves a lot of very talented wrestlers with few choices once they graduate. More often than not, it is moving away from home if they are not ready to hang up the shoes. Embrace these new programs, I know I am. Rest of the story at https://news.theopenmat.com/college-wrestling-news/welcome-to-the-party-meet-your-new-dii-wrestling-programs/73853?mc_cid=10f2fb985a&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

July 27, 2019 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized