The last time a varsity-level college wrestling program took to the mats in its home state of Florida, Ronald Reagan was the President.

That will change shortly as Ave Maria University, a private, Catholic NAIA school, will announce it is starting a wrestling program.

Already, the school has posted a job opening on the National Wrestling Coaches Association Job Board. 

This continues the trend of small, private institutions in the NAIA adding the sport. 

Ave Maria is in Ave Maria, Florida, which is situated approximately an hour northeast of Naples. 

Stetson University and the University of Central Florida were the last two Division I wrestling programs in the state, both eliminating their programs following the 1985-86 season. 

More information to come.