Hampden-Sydney college, a men’s college in Virginia, announced today their intention to reinstate wrestling for next season for the first time since dropping the sport in 1987. Mac Main, currently the golf coach and a former Longwood College wrestler, will add wrestling to his coaching duties and will begin recruiting immediately. Hampden-Sydney is one of three all-male liberal arts colleges in the United States and one of two in Division III. With this announcement, both schools (Wabash being the other) will have wrestling. Read on for more.

Hampden-Sydney to Add Wrestling as Tenth NCAA Sport in 2015-16

HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, VA-Hampden-Sydney College President Dr. Chris Howard and Athletic Director Richard Epperson have announced the addition of wrestling as an intercollegiate sport at the College.

“Hampden-Sydney College is excited to announce the return of wrestling as our tenth NCAA sponsored sport in the fall of 2015,” commented Epperson. “I want to extend sincere appreciation to Mike Moyer, Executive Director of the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) for his invaluable assistance in bringing wrestling back to the College.” Hampden-Sydney offered wrestling in the 1960’s, 1970’s and 1980’s. Lou Wacker served as Head Coach for many of those years.

The National Wrestling Coaches Association, established in 1928, is a professional organization dedicated to serve and provide leadership for the advancement of all levels of the sport of wrestling with primary emphasis on scholastic and collegiate wrestling programs.

“The NWCA wants to extend a heartfelt thanks to President Chris Howard, Richard Epperson, and the Hampden-Sydney College administration for recognizing the educational value that intercollegiate wrestling will bring to their campus,” Moyer said. “The NWCA is committed to assisting the program with startup funds, grass roots promotion, and ongoing support. Hampden-Sydney College is located in the heart of some of the best high school wrestling in America which will help to insure the long term success of the program. This new varsity program represents the 120th new intercollegiate wrestling team that has been established or re-established since 2001.”

Current Tiger golf coach Mac Main has been tabbed to lead the Hampden-Sydney grapplers and has begun recruiting for the team’s inaugural season.

“I am confident Coach Main will build a competitive Division III wrestling program at Hampden-Sydney,” added Epperson.

“I believe it is fitting that Hampden-Sydney College, an institution steeped in history and tradition, reinstate wrestling as an NCAA intercollegiate sport,” Main stated. “One of our goals is to develop young men of exceptional character and prepare these gentlemen for success in a competitive world. I am pleased to be part of developing a wrestling program that will be both competitive and successful. For the past two years, we have nurtured a wrestling club team and have several freshmen members of the team that are former high school state champion wrestlers. Additionally, we are actively recruiting new students for our program. There are a tremendous number of high school wrestlers that are seeking opportunities to continue their sport in college, and there has been a lack of NCAA Division III wrestling programs, available, for these young men to do so. We believe we can offer these wrestlers an opportunity to continue the sport they love and increase the strength of the Hampden-Sydney athletic department.”

To learn more about the NWCA, visit www.nwcaonline.com.

The Tiger wrestlers will compete in Kirby Field House.