Takedown Report

College Coaching News – # 6

TDR Editor’s Notes ; Several stories about new assistant and new head coaches taking on the challenges of working with college student-athletes in wrestling. Other administrative changes to schedules and competition are in other stories. Our last story is on a somber note with the passing of Hall of Fame wrestler, coach and administrator Greg Strobel. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
1 } – Proposal caps brackets at 75 percent for NCAA Division III winter, spring championships
The Division III Championships Committee on Tuesday recommended that winter and spring 2021 national championship brackets and field sizes not exceed 75 percent of their standard capacity. A caveat to the proposal is if a sport’s maximum number of allocated automatic qualifiers surpasses the 75 percent threshold, the championship could expand the field to accommodate each automatic berth. This is consistent with the Division III philosophy of emphasizing conference competition. The committee’s main goal was to preserve access to NCAA championships through automatic qualification. Field sizes for individual sports also would be reduced to 75 percent of their typical size.
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The recommendation will make its way through the Division III governance structure, including getting feedback from winter and spring sport committees, before the Management and Presidents Councils make a final decision in October. The financial impact wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic is the driving force behind the proposal. The health crisis already has forced Division III to cancel its 2020 winter, spring and fall championships. As in many schools and conferences, tough financial decisions also are being made at the national level of college athletics. … rest of story at _{https://www.ncaa.com/news/ncaa/article/2020-09-16/proposal-caps-brackets-75-percent-ncaa-division-iii-winter-spring-championships?mc_cid=c6a292a4f2&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

2 } – KEEPING UP WITH THE JACKRABBITS — CODY CALDWELL
Wrestling and weddings are the two topics of this week’s Keeping Up With The Jackrabbits.
Assistant wrestling coach Cody Caldwell joins host Tyler Merriam to discuss the wrestlers returning to campus and his wedding, which will take place next week. … rest of story at _{https://gojacks.com/news/2020/9/25/general-keeping-up-with-the-jackrabbits-cody-caldwell.aspx?mc_cid=29285b55e6&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

3 } – Pacific University Names Zach Binkerd Interim Men’s & Women’s Wrestling Coach
The Boxer wrestling program is now in the hands of former Pacific wrestler and former assistant coach Zach Binkerd as he’s officially been named interim Head men’s and women’s wrestling coach. 
 Binkerd knows first-hand how Pacific and the ability to compete in a sport you love at the college level can make a significant impact in one’s life. “I think some of the things that I learned as an athlete helped me in my professional career. The things that I learned in the classroom pushed me above my peers. I truly believe that Pacific University has a great education. I did both my undergrad and graduate work here, and I came out of my graduate program feeling like a professional –  like I was ready to attack the world. I owe that a lot to the education that I received at Pacific and the culture that was created through the wrestling program,” said Binkerd.
 Athletic Director Keith Buckley is excited to have Binkerd lead the way for the Boxer wrestling program moving forward. 
 “Coach Binkerd has a tremendous connection to the Boxer wrestling community and is eager to take the necessary steps to move our program positively forward into the future. He is a proud wrestling alum of Pacific University who is excited to lead our current student-athletes through this challenging time,” said Buckley.
 Binkerd’s ties to Pacific wrestling run deep. … rest of story at _{https://portal.nwcaonline.com/articles/NWCA_News/Zach-Binkerd-Named-Interim-Men-s-13-11-2020}

4 } – MEISTER TABBED AS NEW FRIENDS UNIVERSITY MEN’S AND WOMEN’S WRESTLING COACH
WICHITA, Kan. – Friends University Director of Athletics Dr. Rob Ramseyer has announced the hiring of Aaron Meister as the head coach of the newly added men’s and wrestling programs.
“We feel lucky to attract a coach with the experience of starting and running a successful wrestling program,” Ramseyer said.  “Aaron brings a great deal of experience to the role and Christian higher education. We are confident he will build a quality program that will be successful in being competitive but also producing students who are engaged and will graduate.  We are excited to welcome him and his wife Jill back to Kansas.” Meister is indeed familiar with Kansas after attending Holton High School, Labette County Community College and then graduating from Fort Hays State University.
He comes to Friends after helping to jumpstart the men’s and women’s wrestling programs as an assistant coach for four seasons at Wayland Baptist University (WBU) in Plainview, Texas. He then took the reins of the program after head coach legendary head coach Johnny Cobb retired prior to the 2014-15 season. Meister’s decorated coaching career includes coaching a World Champion, Tamyra Mensah-Stock, four World medalists, 13 National Champions, 96 All-Americans, and the 2019 NAIA Women’s Dual Champions. Among those All-Americans is an Olympic Trials champion, two World Team Trials champions, three U.S. Open champions, a University World runner-up, and 25 of those individuals are either World or Olympic Trials qualifiers.
While at WBU, Meister has initiated and endowed two scholarships … rest of story at _{https://portal.nwcaonline.com/articles/NWCA_News/MEISTER-TABBED-AS-NEW-FRIENDS-12-11-2020?lId=00n00000000001D00da&lname=NWCA%20Articles}

5 } – Wenger Named Peacock Assistant Wrestling Coach
Josh Wenger has been named as the assistant wrestling coach at Upper Iowa University. The Cedar Rapids, Iowa native comes to the Peacock wrestling program from Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa.
“I am very excited to be a part of the Upper Iowa University wrestling staff,” said Wenger. “Upper Iowa has a great culture and the talent to compete at the highest level.  I am eager to begin working with the team and help each of the wrestlers be the best student-athletes they can be.”
Wenger earned a pair of NAIA National Championships for the Vikings with one coming at 141 pounds and one at 149 pounds. He earned NAIA All-American and NWCA Scholar All-American honors three times each. Wenger was named a Heart of American Champion of Character in 2020 and scored a spot on the Amateur Wrestling News 2017 All-Rookie Team.
“I’m fired up to announce Josh Wenger as our new assistant wrestling coach,” said Head Wrestling Coach Heath Grimm. “He is fresh out of college and will be someone who can get on the mat … rest of story at _{https://uiupeacocks.com/news/2020/9/29/wenger-named-peacock-assistant-wrestling-coach.aspx?mc_cid=72c2868447&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

6 } – Coach Hansen Bringing Lots to Table for Panther Wrestling
Matt Hansen was hired by Head Coach Nick Nothern at the beginning of the school year. Hansen is no stranger to collegiate wrestling, as he brings 14 years of coaching experience with him. He served as an assistant coach at Luther College, Hastings College, and Simpson College. Hansen also served as the head coach at Doane University and was named the “Rookie Coach of the Year”, by Amateur Wrestling News Magazine. As a student-athlete Hansen, was a two-time national qualifier for the University of Nebraska-Kearney’s wrestling team. 

Coach Hansen oversees the strength and conditioning program for the Panthers. This role fits right into his education and expertise, as he is a certified strength and conditioning coach certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association. … rest of story at _{https://goneosho.com/news/2020/9/25/coach-hansen-bringing-lots-to-table-for-panther-wrestling.aspx?mc_cid=29285b55e6&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

7 } – SUNY-Binghampton Wrestling hires Mytych as assistant coach
Exeter, Pa. native arrives with extensive experience at collegiate level
VESTAL, N.Y. – Head wrestling coach Kyle Borshoff has announced the hiring of Steve Mytych (MITT-itch) as an assistant coach. Mytych, a native of Northeast Pennsylvania, comes to Binghamton following a stint as an assistant at Bloomsburg University. In addition to the hiring of Mytych, third-year coach Fred Garcia has been elevated to the top assistant role. “We are excited to add Steve to our coaching staff,” Borshoff said. “He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge that will help all of our athletes reach their wrestling goals. Steve has competed and coached at the highest level of our sport and I am sure he will help our athletes earn National Championships and All American honors.”
Prior to his stop at Bloomsburg, Mytych helped restart Keystone College’s wrestling program beginning in the 2016-17 season. He took major steps in helping the Giants return to national prominence over his three seasons as head coach, including posting eight dual victories in the team’s first season back. Mytych also has experience as the head strength and conditioning coach and assistant wrestling coach at Wyoming Seminary Preparatory High School. Collegiately, the Drexel University graduate excelled on the mat, posting the most career wins in the program’s history with 128. The four-time NCAA qualifier also has the most wins in a single season by a Dragon (38). “I want to thank Coach Borshoff and the administration for this great opportunity,” Mytych said. … rest of story at _{https://bubearcats.com/news/2020/10/2/wrestling-hires-assistant-coach-mytych.aspx?mc_cid=accb7cd38c&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

8 } – Tim Jager steps down as Morningside College Director of Athletics
SIOUX CITY, IA — Tuesday morning Morningside college announced that Tim Jager will step down from his position as athletic director as of December 15th, 2020.
Next year Jager will start a new position with Sunnybrook Church. During Jager’s tenure with Morningside, the Mustang athletics program has won the GPAC All-Sports Trophy five times, amassed a number of conference and national titles, and is home to student-athletes who regularly receive recognition for academics and outstanding character.
Morningside College President John Reynders stated, “Tim has done a remarkable job as our athletic director the past eight years. His record of service to Mustang athletics is exemplary, and our programs have only flourished under his leadership. I am incredibly grateful for his dedication to Morningside and wish him nothing but the best on his future endeavors.” “Tim embodies the qualities we look for in our student-athletes. He understands what it is to be a strong competitor and a person of great character, and it is reflected in the work he has done here at Morningside and beyond,” … rest of story at _{https://siouxlandnews.com/news/local/tim-jager-steps-down-as-morningside-college-director-of-athletics?mc_cid=aeabd832c4&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

9} – NESCAC CANCELS WINTER SPORTS COMPETITION
The New England Small College Athletic Conference announced the cancellation of winter sports competition today. Williams, Wesleyan, and Trinity are the the NESCAC schools that sponsor wrestling. Schools will be able to make their own decisions regarding winter sports; there just will not be official conference competition and championships.
Trinity’s release states, “This announcement does not restrict institutions from developing individual plans for winter sports that involve practice or competition, including competition with other NESCAC institutions who choose to compete,” and, “In addition to practice, we know that competition is an important part of the collegiate athletic experience. . .We will continue to pursue the possibility of a robust winter sports experience that meets Trinity, State of Connecticut, and NCAA guidelines.
Williams, on the other hand, has canceled winter sports competition. “We write with the disappointing news that our winter varsity athletes will not compete this year. The New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) has just announced a unanimous decision not to hold a competitive winter sports season, … rest of story at _{https://www.d3wrestle.com/nescac-cancels-winter-sports-competition/?mc_cid=a13c46544f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

10 } – Lehigh Athletics Mourns the Passing of Greg Strobel
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh Athletics has lost a legend. On Thursday, the family of former head wrestling coach and administrator Greg Strobel shared the news that he had passed away. A member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Strobel served as Lehigh’s head coach from 1995 through 2008, which included five straight EIWA Championships from 2002 through 2006. Strobel was 68 years old.  
“The news of Greg’s passing is shocking and difficult to process, mostly because Greg was so full of life and optimism and energy, perhaps more so than anyone I have ever known,” said Murray H. Goodman Dean of Athletics Joe Sterrett. “His resilience and strength through a successful battle with cancer a few years ago, and then the loss of his wife Donna less than a year ago, were profound examples to everyone who knew him of the power of faith and a positive attitude.”
Current Lehigh head wrestling coach Pat Santoro served as an assistant under Strobel for eight seasons, and after a stint as Maryland head coach, was named his successor following Strobel’s retirement in 2008.
“I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around Greg’s passing,” said Santoro. “He was a man so full of life and has been a part of mine for many years. He was a great mentor coach, and friend.”
As Lehigh head coach, Strobel posted a 189-83-1 dual record, winning six total EIWA titles. Under his watch, Strobel’s wrestlers captured 28 individual EIWA championships and 30 All-America honors. He coached two NCAA champions: Rob Rohn in 2002 and Troy Letters in 2004. He was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2012. “Greg lived an amazing life and accomplished so much,” said Santoro. … rest of story at _{https://lehighsports.com/news/2020/10/9/wrestling-lehigh-athletics-mourns-the-passing-of-greg-strobel.aspx?mc_cid=dc6ecdfa42&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

November 14, 2020 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized