North Dakota State Receives Acceptance for NCAA Multidivisional Classification of Wrestling
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Ryan Perreault (North Dakota State Sports Information)
09/15/2004
North Dakota State University has received approval for NCAA multidivisional classification in wrestling. The Bison will be eligible for the NCAA Division I championships in 2006-07. North Dakota State, currently in its second year of a five-year transitional process from Division II to Division I, previously would not have been eligible for NCAA competition until 2008-09. Only one men's and one women's program, excluding football and men's and women's basketball, are allowed multidivisional classification. NDSU selected volleyball as its women's team. "This will be a tremendous boost to our recruiting efforts," said wrestling head coach Bucky Maughan. "The class we are currently recruiting will have all four years of Division I championship opportunities, following a redshirt year. With increased scholarships, we are going to be able to bring in some great athletes to make the move up successful." NDSU athletic director Gene Taylor cited another advantage to the news. "One reason we chose wrestling was we felt it would enhance their opportunity to finalize the formation of a conference," stated Taylor. Talks are currently under way with Northern Iowa, Fresno State, Wyoming, Air Force, Eastern Illinois, South Dakota State, Northern Colorado and Utah Valley State to form a new Division I wrestling conference. South Dakota State and Northern Colorado, both reclassifying NCAA Division I institutions, also selected wrestling and volleyball. "We have had two great recruiting classes, back-to-back, and now with this news, we are anticipating another great group to join the Bison," said Maughan. "I'm excited and we're looking forward to the new challenges that Division I brings to NDSU wrestling."