Four years ago, Marquette University dropped their wrestling program due to several reasons, most notable Title IX regulations. Finally, someone has taken the initiative to get a wrestling program reinstated.

There are over 30 wrestlers at Marquette who wrestled in high school. Some of the wrestlers leading the way to the tentative successful return

include Nate Gilling (sophomore), a two-time state champion from DC Everest, Wisconsin, and Chris Gries (junior), a three-time state place winner from Kiel, Wisconsin who held a high school career record of 138-19, among several other state qualifiers and place winners from around the country. The wrestlers are all excited for a chance to show that Marquette belongs in the collegiate wrestling arena, and the support from the student body they have seen so far only boosts their enthusiasm. If Marquette University Wrestling could have the support of all the students and the administration, there is no telling what heights could be reached by the program in its first campaign. We have found a conference to compete in, and area schools wish to challenge us, like UWM and MSOE. We need to get approved by the athletic department before we can practice or schedule meets, though. If we get approved, we have enough talent and potential to really turn some heads in the wrestling community. The athletic administration needs to know that the students, staff, and alumni would support a wrestling club. As for now, there is no set date or arena for the first dual meet of the new MUW, but a location on campus would be ideal to showcase the team's return and allow capacity seating for the alumni who put so much time into the program, and the students who want to support and cheer on their wrestling team to its first victory. Without voiced support, an on-campus facility will not be possible. Wrestling is one of the most fun and exciting sports to watch, and our lineup would not disappoint. We need the supportive voices of the students, faculty, and alumni to get a wrestling club started at Marquette! Please, any and all interested sports fans, send an email to [email protected] to voice your support for the creation of a new wrestling club at Marquette and for usage of on-campus facilities for all practical purposes. We would be proud to represent Marquette University on the wrestling mat in 2005-2006. We are counting on your support to be able to make our vision a reality, so you can count on us to make Marquette once again known in collegiate wrestling. Please take the time to tell the administration that wrestling should be brought back to Marquette University. It will be greatly appreciated.

This viewpoint was published in The Marquette Tribune on October 13, 2005.