EMAIL THIS PAGE

American Announces Reinvigoration of Wrestling Program
University Receives Substantial Contributions from Alumni, Supporters

April 11, 2002

WASHINGTON -- Following an extensive review, American University President Benjamin Ladner today announced plans to reinvigorate its intercollegiate wrestling program by making a renewed commitment which includes increased support, launching a search for a nationally prominent head coach, and seeking an affiliation with a competitive athletics league for wrestling.

“Our goal for the wrestling program echoes that for the entire University – to achieve, excel, and be the best we possibly can be,” said Ladner. “We appreciate the support offered from the AU wrestling and athletics community, which will be essential to achieve program success and prominence.”

As the review was underway, the wrestling program received substantial support and pledges from both alumni and the wrestling community at-large. Building on this alumni support will enable AU to offset program costs and seek a nationally prominent head coach. Tom George, Director of Athletics, announced Thursday that Rob Puzio resigned as head coach but will remain close to the program. George also stated that the University will look to retain current assistant coach Shawn Enright, a two-time All-America selection. A national search for a head coach will begin immediately.

“We were impressed by the energy and commitment of our wrestling alumni and friends of the program,” said George. “This level of support is incredible for a school our size and we are going to make every effort to field a program that will compete at the national level.”

American has applied for admission to the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA), the nation’s oldest wrestling conference. Members of the league include prestigious academic institutions such as Army, Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Harvard, Lehigh, Navy, Pennsylvania, Princeton, and Rutgers. The Patriot League, AU’s athletics conference, does not sponsor wrestling as an intercollegiate sport.

This past winter, the University made significant upgrades to Bender Arena, AU’s multi-purpose athletics facility which hosts wrestling competitions. Improvements include chair-back seating for 1,600 spectators and a state-of-the-art video display board, making it an ideal wrestling venue.

Currently in its inaugural year of membership in the Patriot League, American fields a 19-sport NCAA Division I athletics program, featuring 10 women’s sports and nine for men. The University has had an extremely successful year to date on respective fields of play, having captured league championships in men’s soccer and women’s volleyball, and a regular-season title in men’s basketball.

American University became a full member of the Patriot League on July 1, 2001. Chartered by an Act of Congress in 1893, the University features students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and more than 160 nations worldwide.