In July 2009, USA Wrestling received an internal grievance from three female wrestlers, which featured complaints related to the USA Wrestling women's wrestling program. Following the procedure set forth in USA Wrestling's bylaws, this matter was referred to me as USA Wrestling's president.

I would like to update the wrestling community on the status of this matter.

USA Wrestling is committed to a comprehensive evaluation of issues and concerns raised by the complainants concerning the women's wrestling program, as the issues raised impact not only the complainants, but all existing and upcoming female wrestlers.

There have been discussions about the grievance with the complainants, including the remedies sought by the complainants. 

Under my direction, USA Wrestling has formed an independent three-person review panel. 

The panel's scope of work will encompass an overall review of the women's program. It will assess USA Wrestling's responsibilities as a national governing body in regard to providing opportunity to women, as well as its efforts for high-performance on the international level. It will address issues raised in the internal grievance by athletes, including USA Wrestling's support of the program in comparison to its men's freestyle and Greco-Roman programs.

The panel is made up of persons with direct knowledge and vast experience in the sport and the Olympic movement, including the interests of athletes. The panel consists of three individuals with proven abilities, experience and integrity.

Chosen as chairperson is Howard L. Jacobs of Westlake Village, Calif., who specializes in athlete issues. He has an unquestioned reputation in dealing with these kinds of reviews. 

The other two panelists are Patricia Saunders of Phoenix, Ariz. and Bill Scherr of Chicago, Ill. Saunders was a four-time World champion in women's freestyle wrestling, and was also an official coach of the first Olympic team for women's wrestling at the 2004 Athens Games. She is recognized as a leader and athlete advocate in early development of women's wrestling. Scherr was a World champion and Olympian in men's freestyle wrestling, and served as an official coach for past U.S. Women's World Teams. He is a successful businessman in the financial service industry. Scherr has been a volunteer leader representing athletes within USA Wrestling at the Board level, and was a top leader within Chicago's bid for the 2016 Olympics.

The panel has been asked to complete its evaluation within 60-90 days and to provide me with its written findings and recommendations.  The work has already begun. The panel does not serve as a hearing panel to decide the grievence. However, the panel's report will be used to help guide USA Wrestling as a catalyst to resolve all issues that have been raised in the grievance.