Central Michigan University Athletics
MAC Addition Quotes
9/19/2012 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Missouri Director of Athletics Mike Alden:
"We're honored that the University of Missouri will have an opportunity to compete in the Mid-American Conference as an affiliate member. The MAC is a highly respected conference and this provides our program the opportunity to continue competing at a very high level. Head Coach Brian Smith has built one of the nation's elite programs and we look forward to seeing them continue towards a National Championship as a member of the MAC."
Missouri Head Coach Brian Smith:
"I think the Mid-American Conference is a great fit for our program. Over the past several years, some of the nation's top teams and best wrestlers - both on an academic and athletic level - have come from the MAC, and we are excited to help continue that tradition. The league has been proactive in expanding themselves on the wrestling side, and we think our program will help enhance the overall prestige of the conference. We've already built some great rivalries with some of these teams over the past few years, and competing with schools from that area will help us expand our reach on the recruiting trail. We look forward to being part of this great conference."
Northern Iowa Director of Athletics, Troy Dannen:
"The transition of our wrestling program to the Mid-American Conference will serve our student-athletes well. With a history of 21 Division I individual national champions and a Division I team champion, the ability of Northern Iowa wrestling to associate with schools committed to national prominence is important to our institution and our student-athletes. We look forward to expanded post-season qualification opportunities and dual meet competition with the other eight programs in the league. Mid-American Conference institutions are well known to our fan base, and we eagerly look forward to competing in the league. The ability to make this announcement marks a great day in the history of Panther wrestling."
Northern Iowa Head Coach, Doug Schwab:
"Northern Iowa wrestling looks forward to the opportunity to compete in the MAC. We are excited to make new and lasting rivalries for our athletes and fans. With the teams that exist and the ones joining the conference, it will make the MAC one the premier wrestling conferences in the country. The student-athletes, coaches, alumni and fans look forward to building on Northern Iowa's wrestling's history with the MAC."Quote from
Old Dominion Director of Athletics, Dr. Camden Wood Selig:
"Old Dominion is very pleased to be joining one of the nation's premier wrestling conferences in the Mid-American Conference," said Selig. "We are extremely grateful to the MAC Council of Presidents and league Commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher for providing this wonderful, competitive opportunity to our student-athletes and coaches. Participating in the MAC will elevate the national and competitive profile of Old Dominion's wrestling program and we look forward to this new opportunity for our program."
Old Dominion Head Coach, Steve Martin:
"We are extremely excited about joining the Mid-American Conference," said Martin. "This is a game changer for our program and will allow us to compete at the highest level in wrestling. The additions of Missouri and Northern Iowa, along with the strong base of current schools in the MAC, will make this one of the most formidable wrestling leagues in the country. I'd like to thank MAC Commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher for the opportunity as well Athletic Director Dr. Selig and Senior Associate Athletic Director Deb Polca for their work in making this happen for the Old Dominion wrestling program."
Quotes from current MAC Head Wrestling Coaches:
Jim Beichner, Head Coach, Buffalo:
"Adding Missouri, Old Dominion and Northern Iowa to the Mid-American Conference is just another positive indicator that our conference office is leading our wrestling programs in the right direction. All three of these programs are excellent academic institutions with great history and traditions and are fully committed to the sport of wrestling. I believe that the strength of our conference is determined by the strength of our teams and I am happy to say that today, we have become one of the premiere wrestling conferences in the nation. As a coach, I am very happy to welcome all three programs to the Conference."
Tom Borrelli, Head Coach, Central Michigan:
"This is a great move forward for the Mid-American Conference. It is going to be nice to develop new relationships with universities and athletic departments. The addition will create more opportunities to get more athletes to the NCAA tournament and it will foster our development to do well in that tournament. Anytime competition gets keener, everyone rises to that level of competition."
Derek Delporto, Head Coach, Eastern Michigan:
"I am very happy to welcome three top wrestling programs into our conference. Every MAC program will get stronger with the addition of these programs."
Jim Andrassy, Head Coach, Kent State:
"We're excited to bring in some new teams and have some new opportunities. It gives us more guaranteed home meets and it also helps us get more dual meets for the year, which is the direction the NCAA is going in as a whole. The MAC's been a tough conference over the past few years and this makes us even tougher."
Ryan Ludwig, Head Coach, Northern Illinois:
"I am pleased to see this conference expand the way it has with the interest of wrestling in mind. The Mid-American Conference has always had a strong and proud tradition and this move shows its commitment to our great sport. The MAC has grown in strength and depth every year and this move certainly solidifies that growth as this conference becomes one of the premier wrestling leagues in the country."
Joel Greenlee, Head Coach, Ohio:
"The Addition of Missouri, Northern Iowa and Old Dominion will make the Mid-American Conference one of the toughest wrestling leagues in the country. These three teams will also bring more national recognition to the MAC."
