In early July the SUNY-Maritime wrestling program was one of three sports suspended at the NCAA Division III school in Throggs Neck, New York. While the news was a shock to the coach, wrestlers and recruits, there is still hope that the program can be reinstated for the 2008 season. A meeting in September will help gauge interest and play a big role in the future of the program
By Matt Krumrie “TWM Senior Editor
The Internet has changed the way wrestling fans get their news and information. We now have live results, live Web casts, instant news and information and message boards that keep us up close and personal with a sport that has passionate and devoted fans.
It also apparently is now how some coaches and wrestlers find out their program has been dropped.
That was the case for Jason O’Hara, head coach of the SUNY-Maritime wrestling program. Head coach that is, until he was informed by a recruit in early July that the wrestling section of the Maritime Web site was removed. He immediately called the Athletics Director and assistant A.D. for clarification but was not able to get in touch with either of them. Shortly after that he read a press release on Intermat that stated that the program he was building as a second-year head coach was suspended.
That announcement July 9 stated:
The Athletic Department at SUNY Maritime announced, with regret, that Men’s Tennis, Women’s Basketball, and Men’s Wrestling will not be offered for participation in the 2007-2008 academic year.
“Due to monetary constraints and low participation rates the last three seasons in these sports, it is necessary to discontinue them. Hopefully, at a later date this year, we can discuss their re-instatement,” states Maritime Athletic Director Russ Ketcham.
O’Hara elaborated.
“Approximately two hours after the message Intermat and the school posted that the program was dropped,” said the 30-year-old O’Hara, who was an assistant at Maritime since 2001 before taking over as head coach for the 2006-07 season. “Shortly after the message posted the AD (Russ Ketcham) called me. He explained to me that because of money they were forced to drop three sports. He explained that the previous A.D. (Dr. Bill Martinov) should have told me, and that he had been leaving me messages at my office on campus. I knew that was not the truth and that (Martinov) was not leaving messages because the school never set up my voicemail, so my office phone always just rang. Everyone knew to use my cell phone. I questioned him (Ketcham) on the fact that I was the longest active NCAA coach at the school and that last year to save the school money I took less money, did not hire an assistant and canceled several overnight trips, including the New York State Tournament. I ran the entire program myself and the way the school repaid me was by dropping the program. It was a complete surprise and I was shocked.”
Ketcham was Maritime’s NCAA Compliance Coordinator and head men’s Lacrosse coach (a position he still holds) prior to taking over as Athletics Director July 1. He was not the A.D. in charge of making the decision to suspend the three sports, but was brought in as A.D. after the decision to drop three sports had been made, he said.
The decision to drop wrestling was also because of these factors, said Ketcham:
1. Lack of successful recruiting over the past four years.
2. Competing as an independent is cost prohibitive.
3. Questions about lack of academic progress of participants.
Ketcham talked further about the situation.
“First, I was appointed the Director of Athletics on July 1, therefore, I am not privy to what went on prior to that date,” said Ketcham. “My job was to have our SID (Sports Information Director) make the announcement public on our Web site, after I had contacted the head coach. I can attest that the head coach was informed prior to the official announcement, and asked to inform his wrestlers and recruits of the college’s decision. Whether that was accomplished I am unaware. From what I have been told the coaches were made aware during the 05-06 school year that this possibility was going to be discussed.”
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