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Dillon Bera named interim coach at Lakeland

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Lakeland College has named assistant coach Dillon Bera as interim head wrestling coach. Bera was an assistant at Lakeland during the 2014-2015 season and takes over for the departed Quincy Osborn who left the school after one season as head coach. Bera previously coached at Oshkosh and was a four time NCAA Division II All-American at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.

Bera named Lakeland’s interim head wrestling coach

Dillon Bera has been named Lakeland College’s interim head wrestling coach, Lakeland Interim Director of Athletics April Arvan announced today.

Bera served as an assistant coach for the Muskies the past year. He will replace Quincy Osborn, who resigned as coach earlier this month.

“I have spoken with quite a few individuals over the past week who have a passion for Muskie wrestling and the success of the program,” said Arvan. “It became very apparent that Coach Bera is a great fit to stabilize and drive the program toward success both on and off the mats.”

Bera came to Lakeland after spending the previous year as an assistant coach at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. He competed collegiately at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside from 2010-13, where he was a four-time NCAA Division II All-American. Competing at 157 pounds, his highest finish was as national runner-up and he also finished third, seventh and eighth in other trips to nationals.

Bera was a two-time team captain at UW-Parkside, won over 100 college matches and also was a two-time NCAA academic All-American before graduating in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He is a native of Kaukauna and was a two-time state qualifier in high school and a WIAA Division 1 state champion as a senior.

“I am honored to lead the Lakeland College wrestling team,” said Bera. “I look forward to fully committing to the Muskies as I did when I competed as a wrestler. The standards and expectations are set high and I am confident that our returners and incoming wrestlers will do great things for Lakeland. I firmly believe Lakeland College prepares students for success on and off the mat.”

Knox College to drop wrestling

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Knox logo

Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, announced yesterday that the school is discontinuing its wrestling team. The release cited low roster numbers along with having a different head coach in each of the last three years. After the departure of long time head coach Tony Islas following the 2013 season, Knox made the head coach a full time position and hired Joe Norton as the school’s first full time head coach. Following the 2014 season, Norton left to return to his alma mater of North Central College to take over the Cardinals. Knox then hired former University of the Cumberlands head coach Matt Lowers for the 2014-2015 season. At some point this summer, Lowers resigned his position, but there was no announcement from the school until yesterday’s release dropping the program.

Knox has sponsored wrestling continuously since Chuck Porter ’52 began the team when he was a student at the school. Heavyweight Jaran Rutledge was a two time All-American placing third in 2007 and eighth in 2008 and will be inducted into the Knox-Lombard Hall of Fame this fall.

Knox Ends Wrestling Program
6/22/2015 4:00:00 PM

GALESBURG, Illinois – Knox College announced today that it will no longer offer a wrestling program, starting with the 2015-16 academic year.

“This was a difficult decision to make and one that we took very seriously, vetting it with coaches, the administration, trustees, and donors who supported the program,” said Knox College Athletic Director Chad Eisele. “After much discussion, we have decided that it is not feasible for the College to continue to offer a sustainable and competitive wrestling program.”

Knox has struggled to field a wrestling team in recent years despite strong alumni and donor support that led to the creation of a full-time head coaching position two years ago. The goal was to build stability in the program and recruit larger numbers of student-athletes. But since that time, Eisele said, two head coaches have left after their first year for very sound and personal reasons, resulting in a limited amount of time to build the program to a point where Knox College feels wrestling can be sustainable.

With only six of the 10 weight classes covered by current and incoming wrestlers, the program lacked the ability to sustain momentum and success both on the mats and on the recruiting trail. The College did not believe that continuing the program at this point would result in a positive experience for the student athletes and that it would be difficult to find a qualified coach to take on such a challenge.

Both returning and new students who had committed to participate in the wrestling program, along with alumni, donors, and friends of Knox athletics, were contacted over the last week with the news.

“I’d like to thank wrestling’s generous supporters — most notable, Chuck Porter — for their passion for our program and their understanding as we’ve made this difficult decision,” said Eisele.

Porter, a member of the Class of 1952, not only helped launch the wrestling program during his time at Knox, but he has also supported the program over the last 65 years. In a message to the campus community, Eisele recognized additional donors to the program, including Jim Nordin ’67, Jim Melville ’67, Eric ’00 and Janelle Curtis Eckdhal ’01, Dudley McCarter ’72, John Janicik ’79, and Jeff and Mary Eckdhal (parents of Eric). Eisele also recognized Professor Frank McAndrew, psychology, for his decades of service as a wrestling coach, assistant coach, tournament director, and fan.

The lasting accomplishments of Knox’s wrestlers and coaches will continue to be recognized by the College, as long-time coach Al Partin and two-time All American Jaran Rutledge ’08 will both be inducted into the Knox-Lombard Hall of Fame at Homecoming in October.


Mike Morin named head coach at Southern Maine

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Mike Morin

Mike Morin, the all time leader in wins at the school, has been named head wrestling coach at the University of Southern Maine. Morin takes over for Joe Pistone who has taken a position as head wrestling coach at NCWA program Florida Gulf Coast University. Morin has spent the past five seasons as an assistant coach at the school. He was a two time All-American for the Huskies and is the first and so far only wrestler from Maine to become an All-American at a college in Maine. Read on for more.

Morin named head wrestling coach at Southern Maine

University of Southern Maine Sports Information
6/18/2015

GORHAM, Maine – After five seasons as assistant coach, former Husky All-American Michael Morin has been named the head coach of the University of Southern Maine Huskies’ wrestling program. Long-time University of Southern Maine Director of Athletics Al Bean announced the appointment of Morin who replaces former head coach Joe Pistone who stepped down this spring.

“Mike Morin is the perfect choice to be our next head coach and to take on the leadership of the USM wrestling program,” noted Bean. “First, he is an exceptional young man and has gained valuable experience as an assistant coach the past couple of years. Mike was an All-American, perhaps the best wrestler to ever wear a USM singlet, qualified as a Scholar All-American and is a great role model for our team members. He will be an excellent motivator and leader and has the benefit of having long-time assistant coach Julio Santiago returning as associate head coach. Mike and Julio will continue to work together to train and field one of New England’s most competitive wrestling teams and will challenge our student-athletes to be the very best they can be on the mat, in the classroom and in the community. My thanks to Joe Pistone for his fine work as head coach and best wishes to him as he moves on to build the program at Florida Gulf Coast.”

Recently named the 2015 New England Wrestling Association (NEWA) Assistant Coach of the Year, Morin has been on the Huskies’ sidelines since the completion of his career in 2010. The most decorated wrestler in Southern Maine history, Morin has helped develop and recruit several of the USM’s top performers over the last five seasons, including two-time All-Northeast Region champion Jonathan Deupree (Ozona, Fla./Countryside) and Elite 89 winner Daniel Del Gallo (Gardiner, Maine).

“I am extremely excited that Coach Morin has been named the next Head Wresting coach of the USM program,” said Pistone. “After being involved as a student-athlete and assistant coach for nearly a decade, he is the most fit to carry on the academic and athletic excellence that the USM Wrestling program has been known for since its inception in 1997. With quality returners, a strong incoming recruiting class, a competitive schedule and a revamp in the coaching staff, it is a very exciting time for the University of Southern Maine Wrestling program. I am confident that Coach Morin’s staff and leadership will bring the program to new and exciting heights.”

The most decorated wrestler in Huskies’ history, Morin earned All-American honors in 2009 and 2010, becoming Southern Maine’s first wrestling All-American. Additionally, Morin is the first USM grappler to earn three consecutive bids to the NCAA Division III National Championship tournament, winning the New England regional championship three consecutive seasons from 2008 through 2010.

A two-time captain (2009, 2010), Morin is the all-time leader in wins posting a remarkable 133-21 record during his four-year career for a .863 winning percentage. Morin had a pair of 40-win seasons as a junior and a senior, earning a 40-2 record in 2008-2009 and a 44-5 record in 2009-2010.

“I’m very excited for this opportunity and the chance to continue working with our student athletes,” said Morin. “As a former University of Southern Maine student-athlete, and assistant coach for the last five years, I am very familiar with both the university and it’s wrestling program and the hard work and dedication needed to achieve on the mat and in the classroom. Coach Pistone has done a great job building this program, and I look forward to taking over for him.”

A 2010 graduate from Southern Maine with a degree in Business Administration, Morin is a two-time NWCA Division III Wrestling Scholar All-American (2010, 2009) and a three-time William B. Wise Scholar-Athlete. Morin also works full-time as a Service Sales Representative at Cintas Corporation, a position he has held since 2011. Morin has also served as the head coach of the Casco Bay Elite Wrestling Club since 2011.

Yeshiva drops wrestling

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Yeshiva University in New York City has discontinued its wrestling program according to a letter from the Yeshiva Wrestling Association. The program was started by two time Olympic medalist Henry Wittenberg and has been coached by Neil Ellman since 1970. The team has struggled to field a full lineup, and did not compete on Saturdays for religious reasons. The Maccabees, ostensibly members of the East Region, had not competed in the regional tournament and last competed in an NCAA qualifier as a member of the Metropolitan Conference in 2011. Read on for the letter from the Yeshiva Wrestling Association.

Yeshiva University Drops Wrestling Program

To Friends, Alumni, and Supporters of Yeshiva University Wrestling

PictureIt is with a heavy heart that we write this letter informing you that Yeshiva University has eliminated wrestling from the athletic department and Neil Ellman has been summarily dismissed.

Neil was informed of the decision this past week in a surprising telephone call from the head of the athletic department. It was explained to Coach Ellman that due to the university’s pressing financial needs, wrestling, with an annual budget of just $35,000, was not worth the cost. Without prior discussion Neil was offered a fait accompli. In a ten minute phone call, our 65 year old tradition was eliminated.

The tradition of Y.U. wrestling includes a long and glorious history. On a shoestring budget, the program was founded by coach Henry Wittenberg, a two-time Olympic medalist (gold in ’48 and silver in ’52).

Soon after Wittenberg’s retirement, his protégé Neil Ellman (then known on campus as the “Chattanooga Kid”) took over the program and formed a band of brothers spanning the generations.

For nearly 50 years Neil has been the driving force behind YU wrestling. He has devoted near unlimited time, energy, personal and financial effort to grow the program which ultimately became a platform for the multitude of yeshiva high school wrestling programs across the country.

Founding the Henry Wittenberg National Invitational at YU was a part of that vision. The tournament, now 20 years old, brings together hundreds of Jewish high school wrestlers throughout the country representing programs at 15 Orthodox yeshiva high schools – most of which were financed by Neil Ellman himself. During this event, he encouraged everyone, wrestlers and non-wrestlers alike to come, see and appreciate Yeshiva University as the only college that offered observant men the opportunity for continued training in the sport they love.

Neil was the ultimate recruiter and cheerleader for Yeshiva University. Hundreds of students attended, graduated and planted multi-generational “YU families” all because of Neil. It did not matter if they wrestled or not (though it always helped if they did). Neil personally donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to YU through his various family foundations, little of which was earmarked towards wrestling. His love and loyalty for YU was unlimited and powerful. Even as YU quietly planned the elimination of wrestling, Neil was making a substantial donation for Richard Joel’s office in the Beit Midrash.

If the administration’s decision was based on financial concerns, then this would be a classic case of “penny wise, pound foolish”. The cost for running the entire wrestling program is less than the tuition of one student – a student that will consider alternatives to YU now that the team has been eliminated. Even more perplexing is that a significant fundraising campaign was in the planning stages when the program was summarily dropped by the athletic department.

We are not so arrogant as to think that wrestling is or should be the priority at YU. But those of us who have been blessed to participate in Yeshiva wrestling, know the tremendous impact and influence it has had on our lives. The way we commit ourselves in all areas of life both personally and professionally, is often a reflection of the dedication, drive, and effort that wrestling taught us, that Coach Ellman taught us.

Despite YU’s financial struggles, this decision was unnecessary and frustrating. However as a community, we are hurt by the insensitive way YU arrived at this decision and outraged how unceremoniously they dismissed Neil and his dedicated service of nearly half a century.

Neil can be reached by email (neilellman@outlook.com) should you wish to connect with him and show your support. In addition, we encourage you to share your thoughts with Richard Joel, President of Yeshiva University (rjoel@yu.edu)

The Yeshiva Wrestling Association

Kulchytskyy places 4th at World Team Trials

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Three time NCAA Division III champion Nazar Kulchyskyy placed 4th at 70kg in the USA Wrestling World Team Trials this past weekend in Madison, Wisconsin. Kulchytskyy had qualified for the event by winning the Northeast Regional qualifier to earn his spot in the field.

Kulchytskyy opened the even with a tight 9-7 loss to eventual winner James Green to fall into the consolation bracket. He stormed through to the consolation finals with a pair of 10-0 tech falls. The first came over two-time NCAA Division I All-American and current NC State assistant coach Adam Hall, and the second came over four-time Division I All-American and NCAA Champion Derek St. John. Kulchytskyy finished up his day with a 5-3 loss to Kevin LaValley in the 3rd place match.

Kulchytskyy was a five time age group national champion in his native Ukraine and is a two time winner of the d3wrestle.com Wrestler of the Year as a member of the Oshkosh Titans. The gif below is of his first scoring sequence against the eventual champion James Green.

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Muhlenberg seeks assistant coach

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Muhlenberg College Athletics invites applications for the position of Assistant Wrestling Coach. The position assists the Head Coach with the coordination of training and practices, implementation of recruiting strategies, provides leadership and development of student-athletes, and contributes to the day to day operations of the program.

Muhlenberg College Wrestling is a NCAA Division III program that competes in the Centennial Conference and NCAA East Region.

Muhlenberg College is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of, gender, race, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

For consideration please e-mail a cover letter and resume to Head Coach Shaun Lally (slally@muhlenberg.edu)

Osborn resigns at Lakeland

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Osborn

Quincy Osborn has resigned as the head coach at Lakeland College after just one season on the bench. Osborn is returning to his hometown of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, and leaving college coaching. Lakeland sent Mitchell Fucile to the NCAA Championships at 165 lbs. this March, giving the Muskies their first qualifier since 2012.

Osborn, an NCAA Division I qualifier for Minnesota and NCAA Division III champion for Augsburg, had previously coached at Augsburg, Ohio University, and the University at Buffalo.

Osborn resigns as Lakeland head wrestling coach
6/9/2015 3:28pm

Quincy Osborn has resigned as Lakeland College head wrestling coach, Lakeland Interim Director of Athletics April Arvan announced today.

Osborn is leaving the program after one year as head coach. He led the Muskies to a third-place finish in the Northern Wrestling Association this season and also coached sophomore Mitchell Fucile (Chilton, Wis.), who became Lakeland’s first qualifier for the NCAA Division III national wrestling championships in four years. Fucile finished 1-2 at the championships and came up one win shy of attaining All-American status.

“We are thankful for Quincy’s work with the wrestling program at Lakeland and wish him well in the future,” said Arvan. “We are committed to finding the best possible replacement to lead the wrestling program to future success.”

Osborn’s resignation is effective June 30. A search for his successor will begin immediately.


Coast Guard Assistant Coach Position

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The US Coast Guard Academy is seeking an assistant coach for next season. The seasonal position pays $13.20 per hour for 20-29 hours per week from October to April. More details and application info can be found at the link below.

Recreation Assistant (Wrestling) 2015.175

NCAA Approves Rule Change Proposals Including 4 Point Near Fall

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As described in an earlier post, the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel was to decide on several rules recommendations for the upcoming season.  As predicted, the rules proposals were adopted and will appear in the upcoming 2015-2017 edition of the NCAA Wrestling Rules. The rule changes focus on dropping down to a leg in the top position, redefining stalling in the neutral position when going out of bounds, eliminating the three point near fall in favor of a four point near fall, and other changes. The neutral stalling rules will likely cause the most contention as referees and wrestlers adjust to the change. Read on for the release from the NCAA.

Panel approves drop-down, neutral-position stalling rules in wrestling
Both rules were used experimentally last season

June 8, 2015 4:59pm Greg Johnson
The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved Monday the drop-down rule and the neutral-position stalling rule in wrestling, starting with the 2015-16 season.

Both rules were used on an experimental basis last season. Both are now permanent rules, though the panel made a few tweaks before approving so referees will have a clearer understanding of how both should be applied.

While officiating the drop-down rule, the referee will immediately begin a five-second count for stalling once the offensive wrestler positions himself with one or both hands below the buttocks of the defensive wrestler. The referee will stop the count when the offensive wrestler improves his position, moves his hold above the buttocks of the defensive wrestler or releases the hold.

If the referee reaches the fifth count before the offensive wrestler improves his position, moves his hold above the buttocks or releases the hold, the offensive wrestler will be called for stalling.

Additionally, if the offensive wrestler lifts the defensive wrestler’s leg off the mat and both wrestlers reach the standing position, the referee will stop the five-second count. But if the offensive wrestler does not continue to attempt to return the defensive wrestler to the mat, the referee can call stalling, as in the past, without the five-second count.

Another stalling call related to the drop-down rule can be made by the referee if the offensive wrestler applies a hold with his hand or arm around the defensive wrestler’s waist while applying the other arm or hand below the buttocks. In that scenario, the five-second count will start and continue until the hold below the buttocks has been released.

The neutral-position stalling rule was used experimentally in the National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Star Classic in November.

After watching how it was called in that event, members of the NCAA Wrestling Rules Committee determined that when wrestling is stopped in the neutral standing position for going out of bounds, the referee can make one of the three following calls:

  • Stalling on one or both wrestlers for leaving the wrestling area.
  • Stalling for pushing or pulling the opponent out of bounds.
  • Wrestling action is taking place. (It should be noted that a tie-up, including an under hook with no attempt to initiate an offensive move, is not considered an offensive or defensive attack).

Other rules approved by the panel include:

  • Recommending that teams wear contrasting-colored singlets at dual meets.
  • Awarding two points for a near fall if the referee reaches a two-count. Four points would be awarded if the referee reaches a four-count.
  • Experimenting with a rule at the National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Star Classic that would award three points for a takedown.
  • Separating the “control-of-mat area” and “questioning the referee” penalties in the penalty chart. If a coach leaves the restricted area, the penalty structure will be: a warning on the first offense; loss of a team point in the event standings/score on the second offense; and loss of two team points and ejection on the third offense.
  • When wrestlers interlock fingers in the neutral position, the referee will stop the action and call it stalemate, and any subsequent offenses would require the referee to call stalling on the wrestler who initiates the interlocking.
    Once the offensive wrestler assumes the correct starting position, the referee will wait a minimum of one second after saying, “set,” before sounding the whistle for wrestling to begin.

Whitewater Assistant Coach Position

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The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater invites applications for the nine (9) month full-time academic staff position of Assistant Wrestling Coach in the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics (25%) and Lecturer in the Department of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Coaching (75%). This is a 9-month full-time academic staff position.

JOB DETAILS:
This position reports to the Head Wrestling Coach, Director of Athletics, and Chair of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Coaching. This individual will maintain a positive working relationship with the Athletic Trainers, Strength & Conditioning Coordinators, Athletic Department Support Staff, and other Department and University Personnel. The Assistant Coach will assist the Head Coach in the planning, recruiting, coaching, developing, implementing, communication and administering of his/her program to achieve University and Department objectives and fulfill teaching duties within the HPERC Department. Goals and objectives are to be developed prior to the beginning of each season with the Head Coach. This individual is expected to exhibit behavior that enhances the respect for the student-athletes, the athletics program and the University. The Assistant Coach is required to assist in the direction and control of the program in accordance with NCAA, WIAC, and University rules and regulations. Violation of University, NCAA or Conference rules on the part of Athletic Department personnel may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.

QUALIFICATIONS:
A master’s degree in Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Coaching or a related field by date of appointment is required. Proven successful coaching of wrestling at the high school and/or college level is required. College-level coaching as well as recruiting, fund raising, camp/clinic/workshop experience, and community service experience are preferred. Experience teaching classes in Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Coaching and/or related areas is preferred. Background teaching health and/or physical education at the K-12 level would be an asset. Excellent communication, presentation, collaboration and organizational skills are required. Must be able to work weekends/evenings and travel. A criminal background check is required for employment.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION OF PROGRAM/COACHING:
Adhere to all rules and guidelines of the NCAA, WIAC and University.
Assist Head Coach to plan and direct the development of student-athletes in relation to general and specific skills necessary for successful competition.
Adhere to all athletic training measures for the safety and welfare of student-athletes.
Assist with scheduling, conduct, and management of intercollegiate athletics contests.
Assist with Instructing student-athletes in the principles and rules of the sport, WIAC and University policies.
Schedule, prepare, and supervise all team practices, travel and activities in the absence of the Head Coach.
Attend staff meetings/professional development seminars, and assist with total program issues.
Represent the head coach at WIAC and NCAA meetings in their absence.
Assist Head Coach to ensure the safety, maintenance and preparation of the playing and practice areas for all student-athletes.
Assist with the monitoring of the academic progress of the student-athletes on your team ensuring that normal progress is made toward the attainment of the degree.

TEACHING/COLLEGE INVOLVEMENT:
Primary teaching responsibilities involve undergraduate classes in Health, Physical Education, Recreation and/or Coaching which may include classes in the Physical Education General Studies program. Teaching responsibilities may include online, hybrid, evening and/or weekend classes. Experience working with diverse populations and a commitment to work with non-traditional students are essential to this position.
Attend Departmental meetings and support Department outreaches.
Maintain regular weekly office hours.

DEPARTMENT INFORMATION:
www.uwwsports.com

CAMPUS INFORMATION: (Description ID: N01 N-University and Community)
Founded in 1868, UW-Whitewater is the premier public regional university with an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students in 72 undergraduate majors, 13 master’s degree programs, one specialist degree program, and a new doctorate degree of business administration program. It offers high-quality career-oriented programs integrated with a model general education curriculum.

ORGANIZATION INFORMATION: (Description ID: N01 N-UW Whitewater Information)
UW-Whitewater is part of the 26-campus University of Wisconsin System. Located in a community of 14,622 residents near the scenic Kettle Moraine State Forest in southeastern Wisconsin, Whitewater is within convenient driving distance to the metropolitan areas of Milwaukee, Madison, and Chicago.

SPECIAL NOTES: (Description ID: N01 N-Additional Notes)
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, and actively seeks and encourages applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and all veterans. Names of applicants may be disclosed unless requested otherwise. Names of finalists will be released. UW-Whitewater conducts criminal backgrounds checks as a contingency to employment. A criminal background check will be conducted prior to an offer of employment.
For UW-W Campus safety information and crime statistics/annual Security Report, see http://www.uww.edu/annual-safety-report or call the Dean of Students office at: 262-472-1533 for a paper copy.

TO ENSURE CONSIDERATION:
For assured consideration please submit a complete application packet by June 28, 2015.
A completed application packet includes:
• A letter of application
• Resume/Vita including all relevant professional experience
• All undergraduate and graduate transcripts (photocopies are acceptable for initial application)
• At least three listed references with contact information
Only complete electronic applications will be considered. Unless confidentiality is requested in writing, lists of applicants must be released upon request. Finalists cannot be guaranteed confidentiality.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
For a complete position description or questions regarding the position please contact:
Ned Shuck, Head Wrestling Coach
shuckn@uww.edu

TO APPLY:
Only complete application packages will be considered. Unless confidentiality is requested in writing, lists of applicants must be released upon request. Finalists cannot be guaranteed confidentiality.
For UW-Whitewater Posting ONLY: Please click on the UW-Whitewater Careers link on the previous page. If you are an external candidate, please click on UW-Whitewater External Applicants link. The Job ID is: 10463. Click on the job title, then click on the apply now button.

Leo Kocher receives Norman Maclean Faculty Award

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Leo Kocher

Leo Kocher, the head coach at the University of Chicago, has been tabbed to receive the 2015 Norman Maclean Faculty Award from the university. Kocher has been the head coach at the University of Chicago for 36 years, and he will be receiving his award on June 6th. The award is described as follows: “Given for the first time in June 1997, the Norman Maclean Faculty Award honors emeritus or very senior faculty for extraordinary contributions to teaching and to the student experience of life within the University community. … The candidate should have a long history with the University and have made a significant impact on at least two generations of students.”

Kocher has coached 22 All-Americans and his teams have finished in the top 15 at the NCAA Championships four different times. He is set to begin his 37th season at Chicago next year with a team that returns 125 lbs. Midwest Regional champion Devan Richter.

Leo Kocher receives Norman Maclean Faculty Award

2015 NWCA Division III Cultural Exchange Leaves Monday

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The 2015 NWCA Division III Cultural Exchange Trip is set to depart from Chicago on May 25th and will stop in France, Turkey, Bulgaria, and Romania before returning to the United States on June 5th. The 2015 trip features wrestlers and coaches from eight schools. Four 2015 All-Americans will be a part of the group that will meet for a training session on May 24th in the northwest suburbs of Chicago before flying to Paris the next day. The trip will involve training, competing, and sightseeing as 14 wrestlers and two coaches travel through Southeastern Europe.


Tate Dulany
Ferrum, 285

Joey Bragg
Gettysburg, 285
Merrigan_Quinn_14
Quinn Merrigan
Gettysburg, 149
Joseph Brodman
Joe Brodman
Heidelberg, 133

Derek Beitz
Messiah, 165

Josh Thomson
Messiah, 174
Jake  Gordon
Jake Gordon
Muhlenberg, 174

Nick Greenquist
RIT, 165
Owen Feenstra
Owen Feenstra
Wheaton, 157
Matt Adcock
Matt Adcock
Whitewater, 141
Anthony Edgren
Anthony Edgren
Whitewater, 285
Ronny Hauser
Ronny Hauser
Whitewater, 133
Corey Meyer
Corey Meyer
Whitewater, 149
Shane Siefert
Shane Siefert
Whitewater, 197

Bryan Brunk
Messiah, Coach
Vogel_Andy_10
Andy Vogel
Gettysburg, Coach

Matt Adcock, Josh Thomson, Shane Siefert, and Anthony Edgren were All-Americans at the 2015 NCAA Championships, while Tate Dulany, Joe Brodman, and Nick Greenquist were 2015 Regional placewinners. Bryan Brunk, the head coach for the trip, was the 2014 NWCA Division III Coach of the Year and the 2014 and 2015 Mideast Region Coach of the Year.

We will do our best to post updates as the trip begins next week. Follow along on Twitter @d3wrestle for the most up to date info, and look for updates on d3wrestle.com as we are able.

Great story from Mideast Region

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messiah-rit

RIT assistant coach Jason Bovenzi joined host Jason Bryant for an episode of the Short Time podcast this week to relay a story from the 2015 Mideast Regional involving 149 lbs. wrestlers Brad Mayville of RIT and Chris Williamson of Messiah. Click the link below to listen and find out what happened.

ST165: RIT’s Jason Bovenzi tells us a tremendous story that came out of the Division III postseason

Bovenzi is in his second season as an assistant at RIT. He was the 1993 and 1995 NCAA Division III champion, and he was inducted into the Division III Wrestling Hall of Fame in March.


Riley Lefever 3rd at UWW Juniors

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Riley Lefever, a two time NCAA Champion at 184 from Wabash, placed third at the UWW Junior National Freestyle Championships this past weekend in Las Vegas at 84kg. The UWW Junior division is for wrestlers born between 1995 and 1998 and typically features top high school seniors along with college freshmen and sophomores. Lefever was 5-1 for the tournament, only losing to champions Zahid Valencia in the quarterfinals.





Heidelberg seeks grad assistant

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Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio, is looking for a graduate assistant. We are a NCAA Division III program and compete in the Ohio Athletic Conference. During the 2014-2015 season Heidelberg placed six wrestlers at regionals, two national qualifiers, and one All-American. In addition three wrestlers were named NWCA Scholar All-Americans.

In exchange for your coaching services, you will receive a stipend and full tuition to our graduate school. For available programs, please visit: http://www.heidelberg.edu/academiclife/grad

If interested, please email head coach Tony Patrizi at apatrizi@heidelberg.edu. Include your resume and three references.

Pistone leaves Southern Maine for FGCU

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Joseph PistoneJoe Pistone has stepped down as the head coach at the University of Southern Maine in order to accept a position as head coach of the Florida Gulf Coast University NCWA team. Pistone coached at Southern Maine for 12 seasons and won over 100 dual meets with the Huskies. In 2014-2015, Southern Maine won 16 duals, sent a pair of wrestlers to the NCAA Championships, and Daniel Del Gallo was the recipient of the Elite 89 award given to the NCAA qualifier with the highest cumulative GPA.

Florida Gulf Coast University is an NCAA Division I school with an NCWA wrestling program. The team sent three wrestlers to the NCWA Championships last year with Noah Huxley placing 4th in the NCWA-only weight of 235 lbs. The school, located in Fort Myers, Florida, is perhaps best known for its 2013 “Dunk City” basketball team that made it to the NCAA Sweet 16 as a 15th seed.

Pistone replaces outgoing coach Pat Milkovich, a National Wrestling Hall of Fame member, 2x NCAA Division I champion, and a 4x NCAA finalist for Michigan State. Milkovich had coached the team since the 2011-2012 season.

The move has not yet been officially announced on the Southern Main website, but this post will update once a succession plan is announced.

College wrestling: FGCU club team getting new coach

Waynesburg Quad Seeks 4th Team

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Waynesburg is hosting a quad on December 12th, and is in need of a fourth team. Waynesburg, Baldwin-Wallace, and Stevens Institute of Technology are the other three teams. Contact the Waynesburg staff for more details.

rheadlee@waynesburg.edu

Ron Headlee’s cell # – 724-984-2953

Grossmann named to AWN All-Rookie Team

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Matthew Grossmann of Wilkes, the 2015 NCAA Champion at 133 lbs., was named to the Amateur Wrestling News All-Rookie First Team for the 2014-2015 season. Grossmann is the only Division III wrestler to be honored on one of the All-Rookie teams this season. Click below to read the full article. Note at that Grossmann is mistakenly referred to as a Division II champion and that his last name is misspelled. A correction should be issued in the next issue of Amateur Wrestling News.

Amateur Wrestling News 2015 All-Rookie Team

Wrestling Rules Committee Recommends Four Point Near Fall, Stalling Clarification

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The NCAA Wrestling Rules Committee has released the recommendations that will be sent to the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel for implementation in the 2015-2016 season. You can read the official release below, but here is a summary of the potential (but very likely) rule changes for next season.

1. Clarification of the drop down stalling rule. The top wrestler will be warned for stalling when moving both hands to his opponent’s legs for five continuous seconds. This rule was in place for 2014-2015, but it was inconsistently enforced. This clarification aims to make it a more objective call.

2. Clarification of neutral stalling. Any out of bounds call in the neutral position must be accompanied by one of the following: Stalling for intentionally going out of bounds, stalling for pushing or pulling the opponent out of bounds, no call because wrestling was taking place. This is not a push out or step out rule, and it will be interesting to see how it is called and how the call changes throughout the season. There is significant judgment to be exercised in this situation, and it seems likely that some officials will make minimal, if any, adjustment to their current way of calling stalling.

3. Change in near fall points. Putting an opponent in a near fall position for two or three seconds will result in a two point near fall, while putting a wrestler in a near fall position for four seconds will result in a four point near fall. The three point near fall has been eliminated along with the five second requirement.

4. Separating “control of mat area” and “questioning the official” in the penalty sequence. Read the release for more details about this minor change. The only question is whether control of mat area will be more rigorously enforced now that it is separate. Here is an example of an unpenalized violation of control of mat area.

control of mat area

5. Interlocking fingers in neutral. First instance is called potential dangerous. Subsequent instances will be called stalling on the wrestler who initiates the position.

6. Eliminating the four point tech fall. The wording is not especially clear, but it seems like all tech falls will be treated equally whether or not the winning wrestler scored a near fall.

7. Referee’s position. The referee will wait a minimum of one second between saying “set” to the top wrestler and blowing the whistle. This standardizes the start of wrestling and attempts to eliminate rolling and quick starts.

8. The NWCA All-Star Classic will experiment with takedowns being worth three points.

There is also information about the potential for changing the way tournaments are scored to be closer to dual meet scoring.

Wrestling Rules Committee recommends making two experimental rules permanent


John Carroll seeks graduate assistant

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John Carroll JCU logo

John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio is looking for a graduate assistant. We are a NCAA Division III program and compete in the Ohio Athletic Conference.

In exchange for your coaching services, you will receive a stipend and full tuition to our graduate school. For available programs, please visit: http://sites.jcu.edu/academics/pages/graduate-programs/

If interested, please email head coach Mark Hawald at mhawald@jcu.edu. Include your resume and three references.