Nationally-respected actor Billy Baldwin recently presented a check for $40,000 to Binghamton University's athletic department on behalf of the school's wrestling alumn to support the recently reinstated Div. I wrestling program.

Baldwin, a former wrestler at Binghamton Univ., presented the check to Athletic Director Joel Thirer and Binghamton's new head wrestling coach Tony Robie, Baldwin, a 1985 graduate, coordinated the fundraising efforts of "Friends of Binghamton Wrestling," a group of alumni and supporters who were instrumental in the reinstatement of the program. Baldwin was on campus during Binghamton's homecoming weekend and attended a preseason wrestling workout

Among those in the photo posted with this article are: Sal DeSantis ('84), Walt Weller ('75), Joe Marinucci ('96), Billy Baldwin ('85), Athletic Director Joel Thirer, Head Coach Tony Robie, BU freshman wrestler Chris Wade, Assistant coach Nate Yetzer, BU freshman wrestler Kevin Sincerbox.

Binghamton's program was dropped and was not in existence last season. However, because of the efforts of the "Friends of Binghamton Wrestling" as well as the entire wrestling community, the program has been revived and will begin competition in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) this year. 

New York State Governor George Pataki was instrumental in supporting the decision for the State University of New York to earmark $230,000 for the BU wrestling program, which led to the announcement that the program was reinstated in September 2004.

Binghamton opens its season on Saturday, November 5 at the Slippery Rock Open. The Bearcats will have six home meets this season. Included in the schedule is a match in Binghamton against Bucknell Univ., another Div. I program that was reinstated this year. Binghamton will compete in the CAA Championships on March 3-4 held in Philadelphia, Pa. at Drexel Univ.