College Discontinues Wrestling Program
Jessica Cross, Kristen Buckles, Ahmad Jenkins & Audra Tirgrath
Issue date: 4/24/09 Section: Sports
On April 2, Carson-Newman College announced that the wrestling program would be discontinued at the end of the '08-'09 academic year.
Currently there are 39 wrestlers on the C-N team. Without the program, many are looking to transfer schools to continue their wrestling careers.
Athletic Director David Barger released an official statement about the College's decision. "The difficult decision to discontinue wrestling came out of a desire to ensure the fiscal viability of the overall athletic program," said Barger. "We want to continue to serve their educational needs, but understand that some may seek to continue their wrestling eligibility at another institution. We are arranging financial assistance counseling for each student in hopes that they will complete their degrees at Carson-Newman."
Barger also mentioned that the decision was just one part of the overall downsizing of the athletic budgets and that the process was thoughtful and "sought to find the requisite savings as mandated by the institution."
Barger, however, has refused to make any further comments or have additional conversations on the matter until the Board of Trustees meet and have an opportunity to receive "full disclosure about the campus-wide adjustments."
The athletic committee will be meeting on April 30, and the Board of Trustees will meet on May 1. These are regularly scheduled board meetings but the Trustees must sign off on the cuts.
31 Years of Dedication
"We didn't have any indication at all that it was going to happen," Coach Don Elia said in an article in the Knoxville News Sentinel. "We were to have some one-on-one meetings with the athletic director to look at some budget cuts and trim some expenses."
According to the Knoxville News Sentinel, Elia never made it to the meeting. As he was preparing for it, he was called to bring his team, coaches, and graduate assistants together.
"I was afraid that it was going to happen. I had a meeting with David Barger and was told the team was being dropped and I was going to have a notice of termination," Elia told the Knoxville News Sentinel. "I'm more hurt than angry. I wanted the chance to retire with dignity and not a termination notice. I felt a little betrayed and that maybe 31 years were wasted. I've received a host of emails and phone calls that reinforced that I did some good in my time here. I hope somewhere down the road they'll see it's not a savings."
Currently there are 39 wrestlers on the C-N team. Without the program, many are looking to transfer schools to continue their wrestling careers.
Athletic Director David Barger released an official statement about the College's decision. "The difficult decision to discontinue wrestling came out of a desire to ensure the fiscal viability of the overall athletic program," said Barger. "We want to continue to serve their educational needs, but understand that some may seek to continue their wrestling eligibility at another institution. We are arranging financial assistance counseling for each student in hopes that they will complete their degrees at Carson-Newman."
Barger also mentioned that the decision was just one part of the overall downsizing of the athletic budgets and that the process was thoughtful and "sought to find the requisite savings as mandated by the institution."
Barger, however, has refused to make any further comments or have additional conversations on the matter until the Board of Trustees meet and have an opportunity to receive "full disclosure about the campus-wide adjustments."
The athletic committee will be meeting on April 30, and the Board of Trustees will meet on May 1. These are regularly scheduled board meetings but the Trustees must sign off on the cuts.
31 Years of Dedication
"We didn't have any indication at all that it was going to happen," Coach Don Elia said in an article in the Knoxville News Sentinel. "We were to have some one-on-one meetings with the athletic director to look at some budget cuts and trim some expenses."
According to the Knoxville News Sentinel, Elia never made it to the meeting. As he was preparing for it, he was called to bring his team, coaches, and graduate assistants together.
"I was afraid that it was going to happen. I had a meeting with David Barger and was told the team was being dropped and I was going to have a notice of termination," Elia told the Knoxville News Sentinel. "I'm more hurt than angry. I wanted the chance to retire with dignity and not a termination notice. I felt a little betrayed and that maybe 31 years were wasted. I've received a host of emails and phone calls that reinforced that I did some good in my time here. I hope somewhere down the road they'll see it's not a savings."
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 6
Paul Tucker
posted 4/28/09 @ 9:06 PM EST
Thank you, that is an excellent article. You guys really did a wonderful job. If anyone wants to help the team and make a pledge? Email your pledge to Paul@TuckerEmail. (Continued…)
Dewey Tucker
posted 4/29/09 @ 8:38 AM EST
What's wrong with the C-N President & Athletic Director? Rather than letting everyone know of C-N's finanical problems, and requesting help to keep its program in tack, they just decide what is best for you the C-N students and alumni, and ram it down your throat. (Continued…)
Gary Abbott
posted 4/29/09 @ 11:14 AM EST
Please support those who are trying to reinstate the wrestling team. The university will listen if people are willing to speak up.
CHRIS VANDERGRIFF
posted 4/29/09 @ 5:40 PM EST
GREAT ARTICLE. I CAN'T IMAGINE CARSON-NEWMAN COLLEGE WITHOUT WRESTLING. IT IS A GREAT PROGRAM AND IT WILL BE SURELY MISSED.
CHRIS VANDERGRIFF
FORMER WRESTLING COACH AT HALLS
lazaro Reinoso
posted 6/10/09 @ 3:20 PM EST
Lazaro Reinoso graduated from Carson-Newman in 2000. He was 4 time All-American wrestler and national Champion in the NCAA Wrestling National Tournament. (Continued…)
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