NEW YORK – Columbia University announces the establishment of a newly endowed varsity head coaching position, thanks to a gift from Andrew F. Barth ’83CC ’85BUS. The official title of Columbia’s head wrestling coaching position will be the Andrew F. Barth Head Coach of Wrestling.
Brendan Buckley, who is entering his sixth season as Columbia’s head coach, will be the first coach to assume the new title.
“Wrestling taught me many valuable lessons about life, lessons I use every day, “says Barth. “Discipline, persistence and hard work really do make a difference. Some of the best times in my life and some of my best memories are due to wrestling and being a part of this team. Columbia was a wonderful experience and I received a great education. I hope this gift ensures that future generations of Columbia wrestlers will have even better opportunities and an even more positive experience than I did. ”
Dr. M. Dianne Murphy, the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Physical Education, says: “Andy’s gift to the wrestling program at Columbia will benefit the entire athletics program. His commitment and dedication to Columbia Athletics are fine examples of how passionate Columbians are for Columbia. We thank him for this significant and generous gift. ”
“I remain honored to be a part of Columbia wrestling, the nation’s oldest intercollegiate wrestling program, “says Buckley, the 2005 Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) Coach of the Year. “Our continual and improved success over the last five years has been, in part, thanks to the outpouring of support our team has received from our alumni and friends. It is with sincere gratitude that I thank Andy and his family. ”
“Our student-athletes are amazing people who are future global leaders, “says Murphy. “Andy’s generosity will touch the lives of our more than 800 current student-athletes and head coaches, and all those who follow their path. ”
Wrestling is one of the oldest sports at Columbia, dating back to 1903, and Columbia was the first school to host an intercollegiate wrestling match. Although the sport has enjoyed several eras of great success, none has been greater than the first three years of the 1980’s, when Columbia won three consecutive Ivy League championships, during which time Barth was a key member of the team.
“Our team took a giant step this past year. I felt a responsibility to respond and demonstrate to the team that the alumni are there with them and ready to take another giant step. I hope that we are at the beginning of a brand new chapter in our history, “said Barth. “We hope that this chapter includes more Ivy League Championships, more EIWA placewinners and more All-Americans. ”
In 2004-2005, the team enjoyed what was arguably the best post-season in Columbia wrestling history. After leading the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) Championships after the first session, to the surprise of Lehigh, Cornell and other top-ranked squads, the Lions proceeded to finish fourth, their best finish since 1931. Columbia finished ahead of Penn and Army, who were both nationally ranked. Among the highlights at EIWA’s, six student-athletes were placewinners, including Matt Palmer’s second-place, en route to his All-American season. The team received the EIWA Wrestling Officials’ highly prized Sportsmanship Award. Team members earned academic accolades as well; Jeff Sato, who was 31-7 on the season, was named to the NWCA Division I All-Academic Team.
Barth will be honored in recognition of his generous gift in a ceremony at wrestling homecoming on February 18, 2006, during the Inaugural Columbia Athletics Hall of Fame weekend. That weekend, the Lions host a tri-meet with Atlantic Coast Conference powerhouse Duke and Ivy League rival Harvard in Columbia’s University (Blue) Gym.
Beyond their direct impact on the program, endowments such as Barth’s strengthen Columbia University academically and financially, ensuring the long-term vitality of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and Physical Education. Gifts towards endowment provide donors with the opportunity to channel their resources into a secure financial investment, and to perpetuate the charitable organizations that have had meaning in their lives. Columbia Athletics is planning for the future to ensure that student-athletes have enhanced athletic opportunities while earning a world-class education.
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