SOUTH ORANGE, NJ - Seton Hall University will discontinue the operation of its varsity wrestling program immediately, it was announced by Director of Athletics and Recreational Services Jeff Fogelson.    While the program will be discontinued, Seton Hall will continue to honor all athletic scholarships for the team's underclassmen who choose to remain at the University as matriculated students.    The decision to discontinue the wrestling program was the result of an extensive budget and planning process by Seton Hall as the University continues to examine emerging priorities against the realities of financial constraints. The action is not related to the issue of gender equity.    "The costs involved in providing our wrestling student-athletes with a quality, healthy and safe experience is significant in terms of the facilities and staff needed. The investment that we would have to make in the years ahead is prohibitive. New program standards mandated by the Big East Conference will require an upgrading of many of our current conference sports. Since Wrestling is not a conference-sponsored sport, it is difficult to justify the added expenditures the program needs," said Fogelson.    "Seton Hall is committed to an intercollegiate athletics program that provides our student-athletes the opportunity to perform at the highest competitive levels. As difficult as this decision has been, it enables us to focus the athletics department resources on meeting our commitment to provide our student-athletes with a high quality athletic and academic experience. Our programmatic goal remains competing for Big East Conference championships where success will lead to the opportunity to participate in NCAA championships," stated Fogelson.