The purpose of the Academy will be to utilize peer group discussion among college coaches, athletic administrators, and CEOs to develop "best practices" for protecting and strengthening intercollegiate wrestling programs through this challenging economy.Further, the NWCA wants to help coaches better align their programs with educational values.
Nationally renowned coaching development expert, Dr. Dan Gould from Michigan State University along with Senior Associate Athletic Director Derek van der Merwe of Central Michigan University, will be facilitating these discussions.
The 18-Hole best-shot event will begin with an 11 a.m. shotgun start with a meal to follow.
For more information and to register click here.
The Viking wrestling program finished ninth in the country at last season's 2010 NAIA National Wrestling Championships under head coach Nick Mitchell.
Third-year head coach Nick Mitchell has added fifteen commitments for the 2010-11 recruiting class, which will only add to an already talented and elite wrestling team.
Three of the incoming class members are Miami, Florida area student-athletes. The first Miami area incoming student-athlete is Omi Acosta (133 lb.) from South Dade High School. Acosta spent two years at Waubonsee Community College after graduating high school where he placed fifth and first in the NJCAA National Tournament.
At the 184 pound weight class, the Vikings have added Waubonsee Community College graduate Tommy Perez. Perez graduated from American High School (Miami, Fla.) and placed seventh in the NJCAA National Tournament last year.
Another American High School (Miami, Fla.) graduate, 197 pound Luis Pimentel, will be a Viking next fall after being a two-time state runner-up in Florida.
Three Grand View athletes were named to the NAIA/NWCA All-Academic Team. Junior Glenn Rhees (Atascadero, Calif.), sophomore Nick Coffman (Huxley, Iowa), and freshman Derek Nightser (Council Bluffs, Iowa) all earned NAIA/NWCA Academic honors. Rhees, the national champion at 174. lbs., topped the list of GV athletes with a 3.8 GPA.
"The NAIA is proud to send the Wrestling National Championships for the next two years to a place like Cedar Rapids," said NAIA President and CEO Jim Carr. "With the proud and storied tradition of wrestling in the state of Iowa, I have no doubt that the student-athletes and all involved will have a terrific experience."
