Mount Pleasant, Mich.
By Scott Rex
CMU Sports Information
Central Michigan University wrestling coach Tom Borrelli has received a four-year contract from the university, Athletics Director Dave Heeke has announced.
Borrelli has guided the CMU program for the last 15 seasons, leading the Chippewas to eight straight Mid-American Conference titles and a final Top 25 dual meet ranking in the last nine seasons.
“We are thrilled to have a long-term relationship with Tom,” Heeke said. “His hard work and success are deserving of this commitment from our institution. We look forward to Tom continuing to lead our program to great heights. He has built a national-caliber program and we are excited about the chance to further develop into one of the elite teams in collegiate wrestling.”
In addition to a base salary, Borrelli could receive performance-based incentives for a top 10 finish at the NCAA Championships, a top five finish, or a national championship.
“I’m just happy to have the opportunity to continue to move this program forward and continue to work toward bigger and better things here at Central Michigan University,” Borrelli said.
Borrelli, the MAC Coach of the Year four years running and conference-record eight times overall, was named national Coach of the Year by two organizations in 1998. In 2004, he was presented with the National Wrestling Coaches Association Bob Bubb Coaching Excellence Award. The annual award is presented to one coach in each division in recognition of their contribution to the sport.
Borrelli’s 2005-06 squad was one of his most successful, climbing as high as fourth in the national rankings on the strength of runner-up finishes at Midlands and the Reno Tournament of Champions, as well as a fourth-place finish at National Duals. CMU also garnered its fifth consecutive MAC Championships title in 2006.
Twelve different CMU wrestlers have earned All-America honors under Borrelli, including 1999 national champion Casey Cunningham.
Borrelli’s teams have been recognized for their accomplishments in the classroom as well. Each year since 1993, CMU has ranked in the top 16 nationally in team cumulative grade-point average. This season, the Chippewas ranked seventh nationally with a 3.085 GPA and three individuals were selected to the National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Academic team.
Borrelli boasts a career dual meet record of 171-62-5, including 63-12 in the MAC. The Chippewas have won 19 straight conference duals and 43 of their past 44 MAC duals dating back to the 1997-98 season.
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