Eastern Illinois Drops Wrestling

[JackJD]

Citing chronic poor academic performance, Eastern Illinois of the Ohio Valley Conference announced it is discontinuing its wrestling program.

The number of D-I wrestling programs continues to decline.

Here's the story from the Eastern Illinois website:
http://www.eiu.edu/~sprtinfo/release...nds_051607.htm

[2002jack]

Re: Eastern Illinois Drops Wrestling

Correct me if I'm wrong, but they were in the Wrestern Wrestling Coference with State.

[JackJD]

Re: Eastern Illinois Drops Wrestling

I think the current members of the Western Wrestling Conference are:  SDSU; NDSU; Air Force; Northern Colorado; Utah Valley State; Northern Iowa; and Wyoming.  Fresno State was signed up when the conference was formed but later dropped wrestling.  I do not believe Eastern Illinois was a member.

The Jackrabbit wrestlers defeated Eastern Illinois in February, 25-18.

The Ohio Valley Conference does not sponsor wrestling.  The Eastern Illinois wrestling media guide for 06-07 states EIU was an NCAA D-I Independent in wrestling.

Eastern Illinois is an opponent SDSU will see from time-to-time in non-conference action. I recall reading it's a school of about 12,500 enrollment with a total athletic budget of $8.4 million.

[2002jack]

Re: Eastern Illinois Drops Wrestling

Thanks for correcting me. Another question. Weren't they in the same regional as us?

[JackJD]

Re: Eastern Illinois Drops Wrestling

Yes. The teams in the Western Regional were SDSU, NDSU, Air Force, N. Colorado, Eastern Illinois, UNI, Wyoming.