Former NCAA Champion and Coach Will Help Lead Ministry

(Kansas City, Mo.) – University of Illinois Associate Head Wrestling Coach Carl Perry has been named the National Director of FCA Wrestling. Perry has been involved in the University of Illinois wrestling program for thirteen years both as a champion competitor and coach. Beginning May 1, 2011, he will serve as the full-time national director for FCA Wrestling, which is in its second year as a national ministry of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).

FCA Wrestling launched as an official Sport-Specific Ministry in 2009 and has seen tremendous impact in the wrestling community. Sport-Specific Ministry impacts specific sports communities for Christ by ministering to coaches and athletes united around a particular sport. FCA has established national ministries in Baseball, Cheerleading, Endurance, Golf, Hockey, Lacrosse, Motocross, Skateboarding, Surfing and Wrestling.

“I am excited about this new direction for my life and look forward to seeing what God is going to do through FCA Wrestling,” said Perry. “I believe that this ministry will change the way wrestlers and coaches compete on the mat and more importantly in life. This can only be done, however, through the active involvement (on many levels) of wrestlers, coaches, parents and fans. Just as a team, we need to come together with a common function—serving God through the sport of wrestling.”

Perry is in his ninth year as a member of the Illinois wrestling staff and second as associate head coach. A former Illini and NCAA champion competitor, Perry was a four-year varsity starter for the Illini from 1996-2000. He was promoted to associate head coach prior to the 2009-10 season.

“The sport of wrestling is better because of Carl Perry. We are truly blessed that he has chosen to lead this program. I am confident that Carl will bring to his role as leader of FCA Wrestling the same passion and tenacity that made him a great competitor and coach. Carl will without question positively change the lives of many within our sport,” said Rich Bender, Executive Director of USA Wrestling.

A 2000 NCAA champion at 141 pounds, Perry wrapped up his career as a two-time All-American and a two-time team captain. As a four-time NCAA qualifier, he consistently ranked among the top 10 at 141 pounds nationwide. Perry also compiled a 13-6 career record at the NCAA Championships.

He finished his Illinois career in the top 20 of career wins and career winning percentage with 98 victories and a .748 winning percentage. He also helped the 2000 Illini squad to the best dual winning percentage in school history (.933), as the team was 14-1 in duals that season.

Perry earned his bachelor’s degree in applied life studies in May 2001 and will complete a master’s degree from Lincoln Christian University in organizational leadership in August of 2011. He and his wife Jamie have a daughter, Breanna, and a son, Bryce. The family resides in Champaign.

For more information on the national ministry or how to become involved in FCA Wrestling, please contact Carl Perry at cperry@fca.org.

#  #  #  #  #

ABOUT FCA
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the heart and soul in sports, is touching millions of lives... one heart at a time.  Since 1954, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes has been challenging coaches and athletes on the professional, college, high school, junior high and youth levels to use the powerful medium of athletics to impact the world for Jesus Christ.  FCA is the largest Christian sports ministry in the world and focuses on serving local communities by equipping, empowering, and encouraging people to make a difference for Christ.