Wrestling used to be classified as one of the beloved NCAA-funded athletic teams on campus. Now, it’s long gone from the roster. What happened? As it turns out, the WCU wrestling team broke NCAA standards back in the 1980’s, before most of the staff in the athletic department began working here. The details have long been forgotten. For that reason and the fact that its removal assisted in bringing WCU back in alignment with Title IX policies, it was never re-instated.
So, what’s the deal with wrestling now? It’s still here, just in different form. President Manny Canfijn shed much-needed light on how WCU wrestling functions here at WCU.
A Season in the Life
When the season begins, the wrestling team has practices three times a week for two hours. “With scheduling and classes, not everyone can make every practice,” Canfijn states. “So, we try to accommodate as best we can.”
Competition season begins in November—the wrestling team’s first tournament will be on Saturday, Nov. 2 at Penn State Mont Alto. Matches are usually paired with Division III and other club teams, but open tournaments might match WCU’s club team with other club teams to Division I teams. A qualifying conference will take place on Feb. 1 in Moorestown, New Jersey—and if our wrestlers qualify, they will be flying down to Allen, Texas for NCWA Nationals. Keep an eye out for home match dates to come to support WCU’s hard-working wrestlers.
WCU’s regular rivals of Temple, Williamson Trade and Delaware University are expected to compete with WCU this season.
Wrestling used to be classified as one of the beloved NCAA-funded teams on campus. What happened?
The Top of the Chain
Club sports function like academic and special interest clubs—it is managed by an executive board comprised of a president, vice president, treasurer and secretary. “I’m the president, so I tend to essentially run the team by arranging practice and competition dates, manage member registrations and whatnot with the vice president,” says Canfijn.
The secretary is in charge of team communication, sending practice reminders and important dates. Finally, the funding is managed by the treasurer—which we’ll get into.
Club Sports vs NCAA Sports
Really, what is the difference? Well, the big answer to this question is funding and the NCAA title. WCU Wrestling, for the most part, funds themselves, whereas our ever-discussed football team is funded by the NCAA. Otherwise, club sports practice, travel and compete just like the NCAA-funded sports—it’s just a lot harder for them to do it.
Club sports fall under the advising of the student-run Sports Club Council, which consults with SGA about funding to their club sports. The treasurer of WCU wrestling is required to attend SCC meetings in order to help the team spend the budget wisely. Between travel costs and equipment, the budget that they require is far more than the budget that they are allocated.
Many alumni, who were wrestlers back when the team was an NCAA team, return to donate. “Without their donations, we wouldn’t be able to function and travel.”
Wrestling was defunded by the NCAA when Title IX was implemented because there was an imbalance of women’s teams to men’s.
A Coach with No Pay
As it turns out, an advisor does not function like a coach. Clayton Garthwait, the advisor for WCU wrestling, assists in signing forms and checking up on the club and the adopted marketing advisor Tom Elmer assists a tremendous amount with team advertising, broadcasting team news and uniform purchases.
However, it is WCU wrestling alumnus Joe Miller who coaches the WCU wrestlers. “Because we are a club, neither coach nor marketing advisor are paid,” says Canfijn. “They simply do it because they love the sport as much as we do.”
Looking Forward
Wrestling was defunded by the NCAA when Title IX was implemented because there was an imbalance of women’s teams to men’s teams. “There isn’t a women’s wrestling team simply because there hasn’t been much interest,” says Canfijn. “Even though, we are always open to any women who want [to participate].” Although, there doesn’t have to be.
That might not be the case forever. “NCAA women’s wrestling is gaining some traction and starting to grow,” says Canfijn. If enough women wrestlers were to form their own team, WCU wrestling would be up to Title IX standard and eligible to be funded by NCAA once again.
Kirsten Magas is a fourth-year student majoring in English with minors in creative writing and journalism. KM867219@wcupa.edu