Takedown Report

Reevaluating What UNI Wrestling Needs: Women’s Wrestling

By Nic Ryder
As I sit here with a nearly two-year old on my lap trying to type this out, I have a few thoughts on Northern Iowa, including both the University, the athletic department, and the wrestling program. I only bring up the toddler part because if there are typos, I’m going to blame her.
Anyway, let’s talk about the last year for UNI wrestling. It’s been a journey. Last year saw a national runner-up, the program’s first ever three-time Big 12 Champion in Parker Keckeisen. It saw the starting 149 pounder take an Olympic Redshirt in Colin Realbuto to train for Paris this summer. It saw its university and athletic department fail them in the loss of a 100+ year old building, competition facility, and home. It saw the beginnings of a new building start to take shape.
Note: A Big 12 Conference tournament preview is coming, so I won’t get into it too much, other than to say that #1 Parker Keckeisen is rewriting the UNI history books. He is, perhaps, the most dominate wrestler that UNI has ever had in it’s 100 year history. And he’s not done yet.
The Panther Train rumbled into the season with one wheel off the track. I don’t know if it’s steam rolling into the post season now, but under new department leadership, it certainly has all its wheels rolling in the same direction. A new practice facility is on the horizon. It was moved to the University’s larger “Our Tomorrow” campaign because the previous athletic department (and, perhaps, university) leadership failed in its duty to aid its athletic programs. From football, to basketball, to volleyball, to tennis, to track and field. No program was spared.
I’d argue wrestling was hit hardest.
A building on campus that housed the only program to win team national championships (UNI wrestling has three. THREE.) was allowed to decay to the point where it must be torn down. One day fans, student-athletes, coaches, and staff were allowed to work there.
The next day, it’s closed forever.
Let me say it again, the athletic department FAILED its wrestling program. There was no foresight, no innovation, no basic maintenance. The only thing holding it together was Doug Schwab and his staff. So the wrestling program moved forward, if not at a quick pace. Practice facilities were found, equipment moved, and they prepared for their season. A new facility was drawn up, announced to the public, and moved to the larger University’s money-raising effort.
Then old leadership in the athletic department moved on, Bob Bowlsby was brought in, and now things are moving forward at a pace not seen since the early 2000’s. A new basketball and volleyball facility has been announced, under the leadership of the athletic department. They already have a major donor on board and rumors are that it could break ground as early as this summer.
The McLeod Center has seen changes for wrestling already (lights, atmosphere, concessions on the floor) to bring people in. Football added another game to it’s absolutely pathetic home schedule to boost its program. In just two months there are tangible changes to the way the department is being run. Hopefully that continues.
That is the point of this column. Department leadership is back. Things are happening that haven’t happened in years. Money is being raised for all programs. There are still things that need to happen, there will be pain, but that’s what happens when a department is rudderless for years.
Wrestling fans (and probably some internal folks) are upset that the basketball/volleyball facility will get started before the wrestling facility. I don’t blame them. It’s hard to see another program (even at the same university) get priority over another, especially with everything that’s happened. But basketball is a larger-money sport. Their new facility will house three programs. They have been dealing with not having a dedicated practice facility for…well, forever.
Basketball brings in more fans, more interest, and more money. It’s just the way of it. Funds were there before Bowlsby took over, but lack of leadership’s skills kept the money in people’s pockets. Now it’s available and ready to flow. There is foresight. There is innovation. The basics are back. For all sports. Now is the time to reevaluate what wrestling at UNI wants, and what it can contribute back to the athletic department. With Title IX always on a razors edge in Cedar Falls, why wouldn’t now be the time to consider adding women’s wrestling to the department? Considering the financial benefit to the University, considering the visibility that Division I women’s wrestling is about to get (the NCAA will have a women’s wrestling national championship in 2026) with only 4 other Division I wrestling programs, and considering that Iowa is becoming one of the fastest-growing states for high school girls wrestling, it is absolutely a no brainer. Get the men’s and new women’s program in a brand new, state-of-the-art facility. Spend some extra money. Incorporate the history of the past with the potential of the future and set everyone up for success. Continue to build your programs the right way and reap all the benefits that entails. … story at … IAWrestle.com/Reevaluating-what-uni-wrestling-needs-womens-wrestling

March 10, 2024 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized