Save Cleveland State Wrestling

More Than a Sport: The Battle to Save CSU Wrestling

[Save Cleveland State Wrestling @SaveCSUWrstling]

9/
This isn’t just the loss of a team.
It’s the loss of a tradition. Of opportunity. Of something honest and enduring.

CSU Wrestling deserved better.
Cleveland deserved better.

Stay in your stance.

— Jason Effner ’04 #CSUWrestling

CC: @PhilPlummerOH40 @SenatorCirino @berniemoreno @neilwaxman @NCAA

[Save Cleveland State Wrestling @SaveCSUWrstling]

After 60 years, Cleveland State Wrestling is gone.

A program built on academic and athletic excellence — and one of the few financially positive teams on campus — has been cut.

Not because of budget. Not because of performance. But because of ambition.
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https://t.co/VvQKCsxtRN

[Save Cleveland State Wrestling @SaveCSUWrstling]

8/
To our alumni, students, families, and Ohio’s wrestling community — thank you for standing with us.

It wasn’t enough this time. But your voice mattered. And your values endure.

[Save Cleveland State Wrestling @SaveCSUWrstling]

Letter to The Cleveland State University Administration:

To the Cleveland State Administration and All Involved in the Decision to Cut the Wrestling Program,

I have always dreamed of wrestling at the Division I level. I was warned how difficult that path would be—and after my first season here, I can confirm those warnings were well-founded. Still, I can think of nothing more rewarding than grinding through practices and tournaments with the brothers I found on this team.

Cleveland State wasn’t like every other school. It wasn’t the notoriously poor dining hall food, overpriced dorms, or relaxed acceptance standards that drew me here. It was the coaches, and it was the men on this wrestling team. They were the reason I chose this university.

I graduated as valedictorian of my high school class. Naturally, some people questioned my decision to attend the 342nd-ranked university in the United States. My father warned me during my campus visit about CSU’s shaky financial situation, and I was aware of President Bloomberg’s comments regarding the $40 million budget deficit projected last April. What I did not expect, however, was that “Strategic Prioritization” would mean cutting a program that generated revenue for the university.

I took President Bloomberg at her word when she spoke of ambition and long-term leadership. I believed in her vision.

After a light first semester, I was preparing for the end of wrestling season and a packed spring—18 credit hours, a new minor, involvement in the Honors College, and a continued 4.0 GPA. Three teammates and I were looking for a house nearby. I had started contacting potential summer employers. I smiled each time I walked through the College of Law, imagining myself there in the future. I planned to stay in Cleveland for my bachelor’s, master’s, and law degrees—and for the early part of my career.

Then on Thursday, January 23, I received a notification about a meeting—just 45 minutes in advance. I was one of the few able to attend. I say “lucky,” but I didn’t receive any real information firsthand. And now, three months later, I still haven’t received a direct explanation from anyone involved in the decision.

Let me be clear: I’m a business major on a pre-law track. I consider myself reasonable and open-minded. If eliminating the wrestling team genuinely helped the university in some way, I could have accepted the decision. But cutting a program that made money, that retained over 30 dedicated student-athletes—most without full scholarships—makes no sense financially. If I’m missing something, I welcome the chance to understand.

In a class discussion recently, a professor claimed the wrestling program was cut due to “regrettable financial decisions.” I responded, “It stings when it feels like there were some shady decisions being made—especially knowing there’s no clear financial benefit.” He quickly cut me off, not wanting students to think poorly of the administration. After class, he admitted he knew more than he could say. “There are just things they don’t want to disclose,” he said, “because of potential negative repercussions.”
So let’s be honest: it wasn’t just about money. But no one is willing to say what it was about. And that isn’t transparency. That isn’t trust. That isn’t leadership.

If I’m wrong, I welcome a meeting. Walk me through the financials. I plan to be a corporate lawyer—detailed documents and hard conversations don’t scare me. They prepare me.

Until then, I’ll spend these last weeks saying goodbye to my team, packing up, and transferring to a school led by a competent, transparent administration. I understand my departure may not mean much to you. But you have my word—if I hear of anyone from my high school considering CSU, I’ll personally warn them. I’ll urge them not to be swayed by Laura Bloomberg’s mission statements about social and economic mobility. I may be one voice, but there are 35 other wrestlers who feel just as misled.

Thank you for teaching me a hard but valuable lesson: not all people in leadership are qualified, and major life decisions deserve deeper research.

With all the respect you deserve,
Xander Myers

#savecsuwrestling

[Save Cleveland State Wrestling @SaveCSUWrstling]

CSU's plan to cut wrestling is a betrayal of students, alumni, and community values. Neil Waxman calls on the university to reconsider this short-sighted move. #savecsuwrestling https://t.co/5ufrVPAse8

[Save Cleveland State Wrestling @SaveCSUWrstling]

CSU Wrestling is #2 in GPA among all NCAA Division I programs. You’d think that fits @CSU_President vision of “supporting higher ed that drives graduation and career success.” Apparently not. Scholars + athletes? Not welcome here.

https://t.co/U6pzX78bMr

[Save Cleveland State Wrestling @SaveCSUWrstling]

First victory down! The Ohio House has passed the budget with funding for Men's & Women's wrestling at CSU! Next stop: the Senate. We're not stopping—we’re fighting for the future of this program with everything we’ve got! #savecsuwrestling

[Save Cleveland State Wrestling @SaveCSUWrstling]

$1.6 MILLION on the mat for CSU Wrestling! Ohio’s budget bill could SAVE the program and supercharge its future. This is BIG. #savecsuwrestling https://t.co/vDcxSljwtz

[Save Cleveland State Wrestling @SaveCSUWrstling]

How can CSU be so hypocritical to celebrate the success of its wrestlers academically while turning their backs on the program that helped shape those athletes? We should be lifting them up, not cutting them down. #savecsuwrestling
https://t.co/7UChYOsIRd

[Nick Camino @NickCaminoWKYC]

The push to save Cleveland State’s wrestling program has been aggressive and filled with ups and downs.

Supporters are passionate and not going down without a fight. Now things have reached the Ohio House, a proposal to save the program and fund a new women’s wrestling program.

[Amy Morona @amymorona]

Tucked into the Ohio House Republican budget proposal is $1.6 million over two years for #ClevelandState's wrestling program, which school officials recently said would end this year.

(And this concludes my sports reporting career).

https://t.co/yisi2AUjfR

[Save Cleveland State Wrestling @SaveCSUWrstling]

Cleveland State wrestling may get a second chance. The Ohio House budget proposes $1.6M over two years—split between sustaining the men’s program and launching a new women’s team. More details: https://t.co/oRvLhX91gX #savecsuwrestling

[Save Cleveland State Wrestling @SaveCSUWrstling]

The recent elimination of Cleveland State University's wrestling program underscores the unintended consequences of the NIL settlement. As we navigate this new landscape, it's crucial to ensure that Olympic sports, which have long been integral to collegiate athletics and personal development, are not sacrificed. Let's strive for a balance that honors all student-athletes.

https://t.co/OcPwmoIR4x

[Save Cleveland State Wrestling @SaveCSUWrstling]

CSU’s Board of Trustees acknowledged the flood of support for @CSUWrestling—then barely discussed their decision and doubled down. When alumni & supporters asked to talk, they refused and walked out. @CLE_State & @CSU_President keep ignoring real concerns. Shameful. #SaveCSUWrestling