All your favorite teams and sources in one place

Build your feed

Your Teams.
All Sources.

Build your feed

© 2024 BVM Sports. Best Version Media, LLC.

No results found.
Pinned: Old Dominion University ends wrestling program in cost-cutting measure
Old Dominion University announced in April it would be discontinuing its wrestling program effective immediately. This put an end to the program’s 63-year run at the school. (Photo: Keith Lucas/Sideline Media, Courtesy: Old Dominion University Athletics)

Pinned: Old Dominion University ends wrestling program in cost-cutting measure

NORFOLK, Va. (BVM) — Old Dominion University has put an end to one of its long-running programs. Following a six-month study of the ODU athletics program by an outside consultant, it was recommended that the university cut one of its varsity sports. The sport to receive this unfortunate decision was the university’s wrestling program, which was discontinued in April.

“We are saddened to have to make this decision, but it’s one that was made with the long-term best interest of the athletics program in mind,” director of athletics Dr. Camden Wood Selig said in a university press release. “No one wants to reduce opportunities for young men to compete and represent Old Dominion, but we are required to be responsible with departmental resources. Our decision became even more clear during this coronavirus crisis, which we know will have a significant impact on future athletics budgets. This decision will better allow the remaining sports to compete at a national level.”

The program began at the university for the 1958-59 season and was a mainstay for the past 63 years. The Monarchs had a total of 23 All-Americans, including redshirt senior Larry Early, who was honored this past season. The program had been a member of the Mid-American Conference since 2013.

Senior Larry Early, right, was the most recent Monarch wrestler to be named an All-American following his dominant performance this season. (Photo: Keith Lucas/Sideline Media, Courtesy: Old Dominion University Athletics)

The decision ultimately came down to a cost-saving measure for the university. It is estimated that athletics will have a savings of approximately $1 million with the cut, according to the university press release.

Now, the 32 student-athletes currently on the ODU roster, including seven seniors, are left with the school’s decision and must find their way onto other programs through transfers or continue their education at ODU without a team, but while maintaining their scholarships as the school announced. The student-athletes will be immediately eligible for the next season if they decide to transfer due to the circumstances. Further, students that signed national letters of intent for next year will retain scholarships for the upcoming year if they enroll at ODU. 

Monarchs head coach Steve Martin, who last season tied the program record in dual meet victories, agreed to remain on staff to assist enrolled students and recruits with the new transition.

“I care a great deal about the student-athletes and coaches in the wrestling program at ODU, and I’m committed to work with each one of them to assist them during this transition,” Martin said in the release. “I’m proud of what we were able to accomplish over my tenure in the wrestling program, on the mat, but more importantly, off the mat as we were able to use the sport of wrestling to propel many young men into distinguished professional careers.”

The last competition for the program was the Mid-American Conference championships on March 7-8 in Illinois. On March 12, the NCAA canceled winter sports championships including the NCAA Division I wrestling championships where four Monarchs were set to compete.

The discontinuation leaves ODU with 16 NCAA sports, nine for women and seven for men, in addition to the non-NCAA women’s and coed sailing. The university will begin NCAA-sanctioned women’s volleyball this fall. The NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision programs require the university to sponsor at least 16 sports.