Originally Posted By: sportsfan02
But they won't be that close to compliance if they add a men's wrestling team is the point. This will mean they will have to add even more women's teams in some other sports. WSU on the other hand could add men's wrestling and add one woman's sport or maybe none at all, and be just fine. Those pictures of equestian teams are fine but we don't know how many of those women are actually on scholarship. Regardless of where we want a D1 program, it all comes down to money and I think even the AD's at KU and KSU will tell you that WSU is the best option bar none.


That is why I suggested that the attention be focused on K-State, because they have a women's program that they should, no need to add in softball. It is one of the most popular women's sports there is and Kansas State does not field a team. The scholarship numbers balance out with 12 full scholarships available in Division 1 softball compared to 9.9 for DI wrestling. If K-State is already in compliance with Title IX then adding softball and wrestling would make them plus 3 in women's scholarships.

There is already a strong club background at K-State. Tons of fan support would come from the Manhattan area with powerhouse high school programs located in nearby Clay Center, Junction City, and Manhattan. Not to mention two of the larger kid's wrestling clubs in the state with Clay County and Manhattan Optimist. K-State was also host to the USAWKS Folkstyle Summer Wrestling Camp for several years with clinicians like Bo Maynes.

K-State was also in the process of fund raising for massive upgrades to its facilities which would include new basketball practice facilities and press box updates for the football stadium. They could easily add on a wrestling room to the area they are planning to put the practice facility.

Kansas State has the advantage of having new administration that was just added this past year at both the President of the University and the Athletic Director positions. I'm sure they would be more than willing to listen to a proposal that would bring in numerous student athletes to programs that could be nationally competitive. Especially if they are shown the participation numbers of the wrestling programs in the state. I believe we're ranked 8th overall in high school wrestling participation in the nation. How does a state that high in participation numbers not have a DI program?

K-State is a part of a conference that has a championship series, the Big 12. Wichita State would have to go to the western region that the lone Missouri Valley program, Northern Iowa, goes to. The western region qualifies far fewer wrestlers while having more programs attend. K-State would help add to the number of qualifiers that the Big 12 could have, making it more competitive with the Big 10. I'm sure the 5 other Big 12 teams would like to fill some more spots in brackets at nationals.

It just makes too much sense for K-State not to add a program and to be the school that USAWKS seeks to add a Division 1 program first.

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