USC Wrestling Decision Reaffirmed; Wrestling will not be reinstated
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Terry R. Freeman (USC Communication Services)
07/12/2001
PUEBLO, CO - University of Southern Colorado Interim President Robert Glennen said today that the wrestling program will not be reinstated at USC. "I appreciate the sincere efforts of the coach, the wrestlers and boosters in trying to keep the program going," he said, "but we just do not have the kind of permanent funding necessary to reverse the original decision to discontinue the sport." Glennen was asked by the State Board of Agriculture to guide the University while a search is conducted for a permanent president. Since his July 1 arrival, Glennen has met with wrestling program supporters, university officials and the wrestling coach as he reviewed the decision by former President Tito Guerrero to discontinue wrestling at the University. "Based on severe budget issues in the Athletic Department, I must conclude that Dr. Guerrero's decision was necessary for the health of the University," said Glennen. "The negative impact of the decision on the coach, the students and the wrestling community is unfortunate and highly regrettable," said Glennen. "It was not a decision made lightly or impulsively. The results are unfortunate, but unavoidable under the circumstances." "We are working now to accommodate the needs of our student wrestlers and to support them in their decisions either to stay at the University or to transfer to another wrestling program," said Glennen. "Their scholarships will be honored if they choose to stay at USC," he said.