OKLAHOMA CITY “Oklahoma City University will add volleyball and wrestling as varsity sports to compete in 2006-07, OCU athletic director Jim Abbott announced.
Abbott said that volleyball and wrestling were natural additions to the university given the fan and recruiting base in Oklahoma.
In volleyball, OCU will revive the sport on campus. OCU last competed in volleyball in 1984 under coach Liz Donnelly, currently OCU’s Dean of Students. OCU has never had a wrestling program.
“There’s a large number of outstanding student-athletes right here in Oklahoma,” Abbott said. “Volleyball and wrestling are important sports in our region.”
Abbott said he will begin a search for coaches immediately.
“Finding the right coaches will be a priority for us,” Abbott said. “We will be eager to get them to work building these programs.” Scholarships will be available.
With the new programs, OCU will have 12 varsity athletic teams. OCU has won 26 NAIA championships. The Stars won the baseball and women’s golf national championships last year. OCU most recently added men’s and women’s rowing as varsity programs in 2004.
“It is unrealistic to expect we can immediately compete on a national level, but expectations at OCU are generally high,” Abbott said. “We have achieved a level of success across the board, and ultimately we would hope to attain that level in volleyball and wrestling.”
Notre Dame College in Cleveland, Ohio announced on Thursday its plan to offer men’s wrestling beginning with the 2006-07 academic year. If you have a student athlete that wants to be a part of an exciting new program, please have them contact Susan Hlavacek, Director of Athletics, Notre Dame College 4545 College Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44121 216-373-5306 or email [email protected] Learn more about the College visit our website www.notredamecollege.edu. Scholarships are available.
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