Spring Break
Wrestling dead at Eastern but not to wrestlers
Editorial Board
Issue date: 6/24/08 Section: Opinions
| Our View | |
| Situation: | Last year, Eastern made the decision to cut the wrestling program. |
| Stance: | Even though there is no longer an Eastern wrestling team, former members still wrestle and hope the decision is reversed. |
The decision to cut Eastern's wrestling program last summer was met with heated debate and overwhelming public support on both sides.
'Save EIU Wrestling' signs were posted in front yards all over town. Forums were held on campus to save wrestling, but in the end, it was no match for strict NCAA rules.
The official explanation for cutting the wrestling program was a failure for the team to make grades; the team didn't meet established rules to stay sanctioned.
Fortunately for those on the team, the scholarships were not yanked for the following year and many stayed in school. Former wrestling coach, Ralph McCausland, was offered reassignment.
For former team members, wrestling wasn't just a sport; it was a way of life. It was something that perhaps only wrestlers understood, which is why the campus was teeming with adamant supporters who tried to band together to get their voices heard and the ruling to cut wrestling overturned. Most were former wrestlers.
The dedication that wrestlers have to their sport is nothing short of spectacular. Waking up early to train, facing strict diets and throwing caution to the wind to make weight is something that most outsiders just don't understand, but it isn't hard to see why so many former wrestlers banded together- they know what it takes to be good at the sport. That camaraderie isn't something that goes away when the season is finished.
But while the wrestlers were sticking to their training regimen, most neglected their grades. The NCAA uses the APR, or academic progress rate, to determine if student-athletes are making the grade. Eastern wrestlers weren't.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 6
G.OToole
posted 6/24/08 @ 11:53 AM CST
As the chair of the Save EIU Wrestling program, I can tell you that your article only reflects half of the real truth. With a son on the wrestling team and as a former wrestler at EIU, I do not believe the school fairly evaluated all the facts behind the caceling of the program. (Continued…)
Mark Sherman
posted 6/26/08 @ 7:48 AM CST
I can tell you're a former wrestler from the numerous spelling errors in your post. j/k
Enough
posted 6/27/08 @ 12:54 PM CST
Mr. O'Toole,
Your son having a 3.8 GPA as an accounting major is great and you should be very proud of him. But having one student-athlete with great grades doesn't pull the weight for the rest of the 15 plus roster (I'm ball parking the roster size)You and your son should be upset with the rest of the team for not taking school as serious as your son has. (Continued…)
B. Tipsword
posted 6/29/08 @ 10:46 PM CST
Mr. Enough,
I would like to clarify a couple of points.
1. The '06-'07 EIU wrestling roster consisted of 23 athletes, 9 of these young men had GPAs of 3. (Continued…)
B. Tipsword
posted 6/30/08 @ 11:16 PM CST
Mr. Enough,
No, I don't consider 9 out of 23 with a 3.0 or better for one semester as a great stat to show off. I only provided that information in response to your comment, "one student-athlete with great grades doesn't pull the weight for the rest of the 15 plus roster". (Continued…)
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