COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Cody Bickley of Hays, Kansas, has been named Manager of Coaches Education for USA Wrestling, the national governing body for amateur wrestling in the United States.

Bickley will manage USA Wrestling's National Coaches Education Program (NCEP) as well as other programs for the nation's wrestling coaches. He will begin his new position at the national headquarters in Colorado Springs on November 9.

"We're excited to welcome Cody Bickley to USA Wrestling's national staff," said Tony Black, USA Wrestling Manager of State Services. "He has quality experience as a coach and administrator that we were seeking in this position. We expect for our NCEP to continue to grow and excel under his leadership. Cody has been involved with USA Wrestling as a competitor and coach, and we felt that his experience at Fort Hays State will serve him well as he makes a positive impact in his new challenge."

Bickley has been affiliated with Fort Hays State University athletics for 17 years as an athlete, coach and administrator.

Bickley is currently the Associate Athletic Director - Internal Operations for Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas. He has served in that role since 2008. Bickley is heavily involved in budget matters for the athletic department, and coordinates promotion and fundraising activities. He manages four KSHSAA state competitions, including the Kansas State Wrestling Championships.

From 2003-2008, Bickley was an Assistant Athletic Director at Fort Hays State. He was also an administrative assistant to the Director of Athletics there from 2000-2003.

He served as head wrestling coach for Fort Hays State from 2000-2008, where he was the all-time wins leader among coaches there. He coached 13 athletes to Div. II All-American status, including two NCAA runners-up. Three of his teams placed in the top 15 at the NCAA Div. II Nationals. His 2007 team placed second in the West Region, the highest finish in school history. Bickley also coached 38 Academic All-Americans, and his 2008 squad finished third for Div. II All-Academics.

Prior to becoming head coach, Bickley was a graduate assistant coach for Fort Hays State from 1998-2000. He was also a student assistant coach in 2007. Bickley was also the Assistant Men's and Women's Golf Coach at Fort Hays State from 2003-2008. He also served as a graduate assistant teacher there from 1998-2000, teaching activities classes.

He operated the Cody Bickley FJSU Wrestling Camp in Hays from 2000-2008, providing quality instruction to high school and youth wrestlers in the community. Bickley was the chairman of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Wrestling Coaches Association from 2003-2008. He served as an Executive Board member for the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association for eight years.

He has served as the University director for USA Wrestling-Kansas. Bickley helped manage USA Wrestling's Southern Plains Regional Championships, which is held at Fort Hays State, which features Kids, Cadet and Junior Regional competition in both freestyle and Greco-Roman.

Bickley competed at Fort Hays State from 1993-97, serving as a team captain for three seasons. He was a Div. II national qualifier and RMAC conference champion there. Bickley was a member of the 1997 team which placed second in the conference and 10th at the NCAA Div. II Nationals. Bickley was a Colorado state champion and four-time state placewinner for Otis High School. He was also a USA Wrestling Cadet National Greco-Roman All-American.

"I am very excited about the opportunity to work at USA Wrestling alongside world class athletes, coaches and other administrators," said Bickley. "USA Wrestling is a strong, well-established organization that works to become stronger from the grassroots level to the Olympics. I am humbled to have the opportunity to be a part of this great team of people."