Here is a copy of a letter that I am going to start sending to our high school coaches in the Kansas City area. Feel free to use it for other schools if you want to help in contacting them.
Coach
I don't know if you have been following the Kansas Wrestling Forum topics about “KU It Is Time To Add Wrestling”? I encourage you to look into the topic if you have not already. Basically over the last week Kansas University has announced that they have signed a 7 year deal with ESPN for about $40.2 Million and a $26.67 million deal with adidas for eight years. They already had contracts but these were a lot higher. I calculated that it would mean about $7 million extra a year for KU athletics. A good Big 12 wrestling program should be less than 10% of that increased revenue about $600,000 annually.
As you know Kansas does not have a NCAA Division I wrestling team at any of our institutions. The reason for this is often lack of money. KU cannot possibly use that as a reason right now. They also will use Title IX as a reason. We are suggesting for them to add a women's wrestling team too. We need some action from you now if you believe in this cause as we do. Here is what I am asking you to consider doing as soon as possible.
1. Please draft a team letter to send to Lew Perkins the KU Athletic Director and one to Chancellor Robert Hemenway that petitions them to add both NCAA Men and Women Wrestling Programs to Kansas University. Assemble all of your wrestlers from freshmen to seniors and have them and your assistant coaches sign the letter. Mail the signed letter.
2. Encourage your wrestlers and coaches to write individual letters too. Ask them to also encourage their family members to also write individual letters.
3. Finally consider starting a Girls Wrestling team or club at your high school next year. Get on the Women's Forum and contact Coach Ed or his wife Jenni to see how they are starting a high school girls JV league.
Lew Perkins
Allen Fieldhouse
1651 Naismith Drive
Lawrence, KS 66045
Chancellor's Office
230 Strong Hall
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas 66045
t: (785) 864-3131
f: (785) 864-4120
chancellor@ku.edu
Thank you for your help,
Vince Nowak
Kansas Wrestling Parent
