The MIAA conference is one of the top D-II wrestling conferences in the nation.
It boasts several schools that have great tradition and success.
The schools include:
Central Missouri, Central Oklahoma, Fort Hays State, Lindenwood, Lindenwood, , Nebraska Kearney, Newman (recently added as an affiliate), and Truman.
Other schools in MIAA include:
Washburn, Pitt State, Emporia, Missouri Southern, Missouri Western, Northeastern (OK), Northwestern (MO), Pitt State (KS), Southwestern Baptist (MO), and Washburn should seriously consider adding men's & women's wrestling programs. Yes, I also said women's wrestling.
I believe that the growth of women's wrestling is prevalent to the overall growth wrestling. There are almost 20 schools that offer women's wrestling at the college level. There are Junior college, NAIA, and D-2 teams currently that compete.
I currently the Head Assistant Wrestling Coach of the Women & Men's Wrestling Programs in Plainview,Texas at Wayland (NAIA).
Wayland Pioneer Wrestling
Wayland just finished it's third year as a program. We have our team travel together when possible. Sometimes we'll go dual other teams that have women & men's wrestling teams. Wayland will be bring both of its teams to the 2014 NWCA Nationals Duals.
Not only is adding women's programs good for the growth and exposure of wrestling it also economical. Each year Wayland's wrestling programs have grown on each side. The school will have around 70 wrestlers. There are several events now that the team is able to attend together, which saves money on travel costs.
The state of Texas in wrestling has immensely grown, and improved. The UIL, which is the governing body of high school sports in Texas split the state wrestling tournament. There are now two divisions for the girls & guys. To qualify for state is pretty tough. You have to qualify in the top two at districts to advance to regionals. The top four placers at the four different regional tournament qualify for state, and the top six placers at state are All-State Wrestlers. I've been going to the Texas state tournament for three years now, and can say it's pretty cool to watch a round of women's wrestling, and then watch a round of men's. Never saw anything like that before.
Any school in the MIAA that add a wrestling program for men & women would generate excitement, opportunity, and revenue.
