This is a message from Oregon St. wrestling coach Kevin Roberts:
Beaver fans and wrestling fans in general, not much of an update on the OSU front this week. What I am going to ask each and everyone to do is to take 5 minutes of their day, read the following statement from Coach Lennie Zalesky of UC Davis and contact the following people below. It is urgent we take action and UC Davis has acted with blatant disregard from what they coaches were told. Please be tactful but firm, that wrestling cannot and won’t go away. Please show encouragement and support for this great sport that we are fighting for. Wrestlers are tough, don’t quit fighting. Please feel free to forward on to as many people as you can, this battle is far from over.
Dear Wrestling Supporters,
It is with great regret that I write to inform you that UC Davis Athletic Director Greg Warzecka has announced the discontinuation of wrestling at UC Davis. This came as a shock to our student-athletes, staff, and especially myself.
I was told last fall that no matter what may come to be, football and wrestling were safe at UC Davis. As a program, we have had the second highest fund-raising numbers (behind football) the last three years, (averaging $65,000/year), the highest alumni/donor support, and one of the most profitable per contest gate of any sports. Each of these criteria were suppose to be examined when determining which programs to retain.
The problem is both a monetary issue and a Title IX issue. Since the official announcement, I have had numerous calls from people that are adamant about combating both ends. Financially, several key UC Davis Wrestling supporters are already inquiring about the dollar amount needed to reinstate the program. On the political front, National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) President Mike Moyer has already stated that the NWCA will not allow this decision to stand. These are both encouraging thoughts, but alone they will not be able to reverse the decision.
I expect there to be quite a backlash from the California wrestling community, as well as the national wrestling community, in the weeks to come. If you would like your voice to be heard, please take the time to mail, phone and e-mail the individuals listed below. Thanks again for your ongoing support.
Coach Zalesky
Head Wrestling Coach
UC Davis
Cindy Spiro - Senior Associate Athletics Director
264 Hickey Gym
One Shields Ave.
Davis, CA 95616
530-752-5096
ccspiro@ucdavis.edu
Greg Warzecka - Athletics Director
264 Hickey Gym
One Shields Ave.
Davis, CA 95616
530-752-4557
gwarzecka@ucdavis.edu
Fred Wood - Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs
4th Floor Mrak Hall
One Shields Ave.
Davis, CA 95616
530-752-6866
fewood@ucdavis.edu
Linda Katehi - Chancellor
One Shields Ave.
Davis, CA 95616
530-752-2065
chancellor@ucdavis.edu
Arnold Schwarzenegger - California Governor
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-445-2841
http://gov.ca.gov/interact#email
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