Our local Middle School and a teacher I coached with and have known for over 10 years started this awesome tradition this year inspired by @PatMcAfeeShow.
In January, Cleveland State chose to eliminate its Wrestling, Softball & Golf programs supposedly due to addressing department "budgetary shortfalls."
Today, along with the rest of the Horizon League, CSU Athletics made the choice to opt-in to NCAA revenue-sharing.
That's rich.
Our last thread blew the lid off @CLE_State’s shady plot to axe our program—despite @CSU_President Laura Bloomberg’s attempts to silence the team. Now, our guys are back with more unfiltered truth about what this program means to their lives and our city.
1/🧵
Oof @CLE_State changed the language of the 2015 student voted referendum, appears to have been done overnight prior to the announcement of eliminating @CSUWrestling .. from “maintain wrestling” to “maintain athletics” @CSU_Athletics bold move cotton!
As I process the recent news shared by Cleveland State, I find myself reflecting on what wrestling and college athletics have meant to me. Wrestling has shaped me into the man I am today, instilling traits such as humility, integrity, resilience, and perseverance. There is no substitute for the experience of chasing your dreams on the mat. Wrestling is a sport with a devoted, almost cult-like following, where glory is found not in widespread fame but in the recognition of dedicated fans—those who have lived it themselves or are connected to someone who has. It’s a sport that demands so much from its competitors, offering lessons that extend far beyond the mat. Unfortunately, the recent decision by the Cleveland State Board of Trustees demonstrates a misunderstanding of this value.
Despite claiming to be stewards of a “transformational student-athlete experience,” Cleveland State has decided to cut a program that has consistently embodied academic and athletic excellence. Over the past four years, the wrestling program has achieved four consecutive top-three finishes in team GPA rankings (3rd, 3rd, 2nd, 2nd) and produced an impressive 20 Scholar All-Americans. The dedication and commitment shown by the student-athletes, both on the mat and in the classroom, have been unparalleled. This decision disregards their hard work and the legacy they have built.
My heart goes out to the underclassmen who chose to undertake the rigorous trials of college wrestling, only to have the rug pulled out from under them. Now, they face the uncertainty of the transfer portal as they search for opportunities to continue their education and athletic careers elsewhere. This decision is part of a troubling trend, following the cancellation of programs at Fresno State and Old Dominion, as well as the attempted cancellation of Stanford Wrestling.
How can a sport so pure in its essence—one that teaches discipline, perseverance, and the value of hard work—be eroded by the misguided decisions of university administrations? Wrestling deserves better, and so do the athletes and coaches who pour their hearts into it.
@TheCollegeWrR@CSUWrestling@nwcawrestling@NCAAWrestling
@theopenmat
@MatScouts1@MrPatMineo@clevelanddotcom@CSU_Athletics@CLE_State@DrewBlogz@zzsmiller
For the second time in the last decade @CSUWrestling is being cut, effective for the 2025-2026 season.
Wrestling community , let’s rally together and let’s help SAVE THIS PROGRAM! 💪🏽
GoFundMe is below:
https://t.co/4wLFLGOSqV