Hofstra Univ., a Div. I wrestling program in Hempstead, Long Island, N.Y., has been rapidly improving on the national scene under the leadership of head coach Tom Ryan. The team, which now competes in the Colonial Athletic Association, has been able to reach the Top 20 in the national rankings and has been producing many All-American caliber athletes.    Hofstra's success is not only the result of great coaching and recruiting. Under Ryan's guidance, Hofstra has reached out to the local wrestling community on Long Island, working directly with the USA Wrestling state association in New York.    "It has to be a dual relationship between the university and the community," said Ryan. "We need them to fill our stands and build our program, and we can help them by improving their technique and skills on the mat."    Ryan should understand the local wrestling scene. He was a star high school wrestler in Nassau County, which is where Hofstra is located. In college, he first competed at Syracuse Univ., then transfered to the Univ. of Iowa, where he was a NCAA runner-up to the great Pat Smith of Oklahoma State. When Ryan was hired as the coach at Hofstra, he was a local boy who had returned to his roots.    This past weekend, Hofstra hosted the Strong Island Pre-season High School Wrestling Championships, a USA Wrestling sanctioned folkstyle event in two divisions: Grades 6-8 and High School. According to Ryan, the event featured over 280 entrants and some high quality competition. The tournament was conducted by coach Derek Brophy, himself a local star at Commack High School.    Hofstra runs a six-month Elite Wrestling Clinic, a USA Wrestling sanctioned activity that provides pre-season and post-season training opportunities to about 220 youth wrestlers from all over Long Island. This annual clinic is another way that Ryan, working with USA Wrestling, provides tremendous value to the local wrestling scene.    Ryan has been creative in his promotion of wrestling at Hofstra. He has brought in a number of major Div. I powers to compete against Hofstra, providing an opportunity to draw large crowds of fans. This year, Hofstra hosts Iowa State and Iowa in dual meets in the new Hofstra University Arena. He will also battle national power Lehigh in a special meet at the New York Athletic Club in downtown New York City. Prior to the Iowa State and Iowa duals, there are also special pre-match clinics where the Hofstra program will provide additional technique and training advice to local athletes.    Hofstra will also host the NWCA All-Star Classic on Monday, January 28. This event will bring the best athletes from Div. I wrestling together for challenge matches, in one of the most exciting events held each year in collegiate wrestling.    "It is helping a lot," said Ryan. "We have to do these things. There isn't an option. We feel strongly about doing these things. We have made a tremendous impact. The relationship with the community is only getting better, and it is very strong right now."    Hofstra has set a goal of 1,000 season tickets sold for this year's home meets, something that Ryan believes can be achieved because of his outreach programs. "Three years ago, we sold only 20 season tickets. I'd be upset if we had less than 500 this year," he said.    When Ryan was in high school, he attended Hofstra matches to watch a friend on the team, and there were very few fans. With national powers like Iowa State and Iowa visiting Hofstra this year, he expects the attendance to approach capacity for the big meets.    Ryan also hopes to pull off an upset against Iowa State this Saturday, with a supportive local crowd and an improved program. "We like the matchup; we'll see how we do," said Ryan.    A number of USA Wrestling leaders in New York have worked with Hofstra to help strengthen wrestling in the community. Ryan appreciates their work for the program and for the wrestling community.    "(State Chairperson) Ed and Marcia Gould are great people, and really love wrestling," said Ryan. "They have been a big help in our enrollment in the clinic and the tournament. Steve Meehan is the biggest asset we have on the Island for wrestling."    The success at Hofstra is an example of how a motivated coach who reaches out to his local wrestling community can build a strong program in college wrestling. As Hofstra gets better, wrestling  on Long Island benefits from its many community programs. Likewise, as the local USA Wrestling leaders and high school community get more involved with Hofstra, the college program has the support to grow and improve. "It takes time, but things are starting to happen," said Ryan.     Perhaps other college wrestling programs and USA Wrestling leaders could learn from the success at Hofstra and work together on future projects for the sport.