The following is a recommendation that has been released by Binghamton University Athletic Director Joel Thirer.  I was just informed of this recommendation Thursday, August 28.    Click here to read the Binghamton University press release    The timeliness of this announcement is very disappointing because we received permission from administration, this summer, to create momentum for funds that would help secure the future of the program, specifically for the building of a wrestling room.  As you will read, I am requesting permission to be given the opportunity to raise funds to help alleviate this budget problem that the athletic department is faced with.      I am asking you to do the same. I truly believe that this a recommendation that can be denied if there is enough show of support.  Please feel free to use any of the bullets that I have included in my letter.  President DeFleur's email address is ldefleur@binghamton.edu.      Below is my letter of appeal to Athletic Director Joel Thirer. Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.    Joel,    I am troubled and disappointed by your recent recommendation to terminate the wrestling program. The program has achieved a great deal of success in its 33-year history and I believe that these achievements should be re-considered and your recommendation be re-visited.    The program finished 50th at the 2003 NCAA Championships and was one of only four teams representing the University in NCAA post-season.    We were one of only three teams that scored points towards the 2003 Sears Cup standings (scoring the second highest amount of points behind men's tennis).    Three BU wrestlers placed at the 2003 CAA Championships with two of the three returning for the 2003-04 and 2004-05 seasons. Our conference has grown to become one of the premier wrestling conference in the country. There are several teams that compete in the CAA who are not member institutions, including America East rival Boston University.    We are one of two BU teams that have represented the University in NCAA Division I post-season each of the past two years.    The members of the program achieved placement on the National Wrestling Coaches Association top-25 All-Academic Team list. We finished 24th nationally with a team GPA of 2.906. Team member Jerome Joe earned individual academic accolades.    The wrestling team was represented in five different community service projects in 2002-03. The program has averaged three-to-four projects a year the past five years.    After much work, the program has been successful in establishing a great relationship with alumni. There were over 20 alumni that were in attendance at two different functions held on campus and after a dual meet with Columbia University in Manhattan. These were the first alumni functions that have been successful in my six years. We have an alumni match  Planned for the 2003 Alumni Weekend and have received a great response.    17 alumni have ordered tickets to attend the 2004 NCAA Championships in St. Louis, MO.    We have two team members that are currently ranked nationally in their respective weight classes.    We have 10 incoming freshman, three of which are nationally ranked high school seniors. Two of these eleven are from the souther tier, one of the best wrestling areas in the State. There remains a strong interest in the BU program throughout the local wrestling community. In fact, the  program's two NCAA Division I qualifiers and the University's first NCAA Division II wrestling all-American hail from the souther tier.    As you are aware, we are one of the least-funded programs in the athletic department, yet we continue to produce more national exposure than most of the other teams that have a larger base of funding. The combination of a great academic reputation and Division I athletics created an explosion of interest. It has been this combination, along with hard work, that allowed us to over-achieve our funding level.    In my opinion there are other solutions than to terminate our program.    Aside from terminating less successful programs in the department, I would like to suggest that we be given the opportunity to fund raise in order to help operate the program until the state of the budget is in a better place. I hope this solution will help you to re-consider keeping the program in a safe state of progress.    If you believe that President DeFleur will entertain this or any other ideas to maintain the future of the program I hope that you will forward this to her office.    Mike Fusilli  Binghamton University  Head Wrestling Coach