Coaches, wrestlers and fans, now is the time to come to the forefront and save another program from being cut
As you know Slippery Rock is planning on dropping wrestling. I say planning because the fight is on. The NWCA is involved. I’ve been wondering how the rest of the wrestling community can get involved when programs are being dropped. The reason most people do not, I believe, is because it’s a project. Just another time consuming thing and we can’t all save the world. Plus, what is one letter going to do?
I have an idea. Why don’t we spoon feed people what to do. I’ve been emailing coaches that I know instructions on how to get dozens of letters in the mailboxes of the SRU President and AD. That email is below. If coaches can print out a page off of your website (like the email I sent) with simple instructions maybe we can make it very difficult for SRU to drop their program. I did this at UVA and it took us 10 minutes at the beginning of practice. Just think about how many letters would be in their mailboxes if just 10 or 15 schools from western PA did this.
Also, a one minute phone call (maybe in the evening on the voicemail) is not much of a time investment, either is an email.
Keep up the good work!
Jim Harshaw
Former Head Coach Slippery Rock University Wrestling
Current Director of the Charlottesville (Va.) Wrestling Club
Here is some information on what to write in a letter, as well as contact information to send letters, call or email decision makers at the school:
Coach,
As you know, Slippery Rock University is planning to drop their wrestling program (as well as 7 other sports) in order to save money.
Mike Moyer (President of the National Wrestling Coaches Association) has spoken with the president and AD as well as local politicians in order to fight this. Mike told me that the best thing we can do as a wrestling community is to write letters to SRU. I had every wrestler at the University of Virginia write a brief letter. It took 10 minutes at the beginning of practice. I urge you to do the same.
Here’s how we can fight for wrestling at Slippery Rock:
“¢ Get a box of envelopes, a stack of blank paper, and some pens.
“¢ Tell half of the team to address the envelopes to the president and half to address it to the AD (addresses below).
“¢ Tell them to talk about what wrestling means to them and that they look forward to the opportunity to wrestle in college if they so desire. Also, they can talk about these points:
Wrestling is NOT an expensive sport (the primary reason behind dropping sports at SRU)
SRU Wrestling alumni are some of the most generous donors to Rock Athletics
There are over 10,000 high school wrestlers in Pennsylvania (so the taxpayers deserve to have a place to send their sons to wrestle)
Wrestling is one of the most popular sports in western PA
Wrestling is a growing sport (nationwide wrestling has been growing at every level, including college as 39 college programs have been added since 1999)
Wrestling provides a sport for people of all sizes (unlike many other sports)
Seven of the eight Olympians from the last Olympics were minorities (so if you want diversity wrestling is a good way to get it)
“¢ Put a stamp on the letters and mail them.
Twenty minutes of your time, ten minutes of practice time and you’re helping our sport.
Please take the time to do this, your voice will be heard! Here are the addresses:
Addresses:
President Smith
Slippery Rock University
Slippery Rock, PA 16057
email: [email protected]
724-738-2767
Paul Lueken
Athletics Director
Slippery Rock University
Slippery Rock, PA 16057
email: [email protected]
724-738-2173
Please forward this message to any coaches that you know. Wrestling fans, please take the time to show your support. Together, we can fight to keep wrestling at Slippery Rock!
Thank you,
Jim Harshaw
Wrestling Gear
