Post by Earl on Nov 13, 2008 23:03:28 GMT -5
The following is about the dual that Missouri will host against Hofstra next Saturday the 22nd. I encourage anyone who can to attend.
Wrestling Supports Wrestling
Missouri wrestling’s home opener dual against. Hofstra will be a little different from dual meets past. For the first time, all proceeds from the event will go directly to the Missouri wrestling scholarship endowment fund.
Wrestling Supports Wrestling, a concept proposed by Missouri Head Coach Brian Smith, is based on the idea of self-endowment of your program while it is thriving. Over the past five seasons, Missouri has produced nine All-Americans with the 2008 campaign marking the fifth straight season in which the Missouri wrestling team has finished among the top 15 programs in the nation. Fan turnout reached its peak in the 2007 season with 2,772 coming out for the dual against Iowa State.
Stemming from the recent troubles of programs such as Oregon and Arizona State, Smith knows that it takes more than good wrestlers and fans to keep a program around.
“Suddenly basketball and football teams sell no season tickets and schools have to cut programs. Usually wrestling is one of the first to go. So I want to put the sport in a position where people will say, ‘Well that program is pretty well-off so let’s leave it alone.’” Smith said.
There is a lot of planning that goes into an event of this magnitude, and cooperation from all parties is necessary in order for it to run smoothly. Smith appreciates that the athletic program has been so trusting of him in this endeavor and he is taking big steps to ensure the event’s success.
“My goal is to sell out the arena and that’s what I’ve told people,” he said. “I’m banking on it, I’m hoping on it.”
Smith has been relying heavily on his ties to the wrestling community to show that wrestling fans can be a large and consistent source of support to collegiate level wrestling teams.
“We held the Missouri High School Coaches Clinic a few weeks back. There were about 150 coaches here. I didn’t ask them to come. I told them they have to come,” Smith said. “I’ve never really asked anything of them, but I’m challenging them to come through for us on this,” he continued.
The A and B levels of Hearnes Center hold 5,300 people and Smith is confident that it can be sold out for a dual against another top-20 program like Hofstra.
“We’re prepared to sell more. That would be a great credit to our community and the wrestling community and definitely the Columbia community. It wouldn’t shock me at all. This is going to be great wrestling.” Smith said.
This idea has been warmly welcomed by the wrestling community with nearly 500 tickets pre-purchased over the two weeks prior to the event. Those who cannot physically attend the event are still finding ways to support the program and aid in the event’s success. There have been 150 tickets bought by donors and left in Coach Smith’s name for him to distribute to clubs in the community who cannot afford to attend.
“It’s the ultimate of fundraising. You don’t have to buy a t-shirt or buy this or join that, you buy a ticket for a wrestling match, or for a kid to go to a wrestling match, and if you’re a wrestling fan, or just a Tiger fan, that’s a great thing,” Smith said.
Due to the large number of people expected, it is advised that you order your tickets for the event ahead of time. Tickets can be purchased through the Mizzou ticket office. Call 1-800-CAT-PAWS or email johnstonjd@missouri.edu for more information.
Wrestling Supports Wrestling
Missouri wrestling’s home opener dual against. Hofstra will be a little different from dual meets past. For the first time, all proceeds from the event will go directly to the Missouri wrestling scholarship endowment fund.
Wrestling Supports Wrestling, a concept proposed by Missouri Head Coach Brian Smith, is based on the idea of self-endowment of your program while it is thriving. Over the past five seasons, Missouri has produced nine All-Americans with the 2008 campaign marking the fifth straight season in which the Missouri wrestling team has finished among the top 15 programs in the nation. Fan turnout reached its peak in the 2007 season with 2,772 coming out for the dual against Iowa State.
Stemming from the recent troubles of programs such as Oregon and Arizona State, Smith knows that it takes more than good wrestlers and fans to keep a program around.
“Suddenly basketball and football teams sell no season tickets and schools have to cut programs. Usually wrestling is one of the first to go. So I want to put the sport in a position where people will say, ‘Well that program is pretty well-off so let’s leave it alone.’” Smith said.
There is a lot of planning that goes into an event of this magnitude, and cooperation from all parties is necessary in order for it to run smoothly. Smith appreciates that the athletic program has been so trusting of him in this endeavor and he is taking big steps to ensure the event’s success.
“My goal is to sell out the arena and that’s what I’ve told people,” he said. “I’m banking on it, I’m hoping on it.”
Smith has been relying heavily on his ties to the wrestling community to show that wrestling fans can be a large and consistent source of support to collegiate level wrestling teams.
“We held the Missouri High School Coaches Clinic a few weeks back. There were about 150 coaches here. I didn’t ask them to come. I told them they have to come,” Smith said. “I’ve never really asked anything of them, but I’m challenging them to come through for us on this,” he continued.
The A and B levels of Hearnes Center hold 5,300 people and Smith is confident that it can be sold out for a dual against another top-20 program like Hofstra.
“We’re prepared to sell more. That would be a great credit to our community and the wrestling community and definitely the Columbia community. It wouldn’t shock me at all. This is going to be great wrestling.” Smith said.
This idea has been warmly welcomed by the wrestling community with nearly 500 tickets pre-purchased over the two weeks prior to the event. Those who cannot physically attend the event are still finding ways to support the program and aid in the event’s success. There have been 150 tickets bought by donors and left in Coach Smith’s name for him to distribute to clubs in the community who cannot afford to attend.
“It’s the ultimate of fundraising. You don’t have to buy a t-shirt or buy this or join that, you buy a ticket for a wrestling match, or for a kid to go to a wrestling match, and if you’re a wrestling fan, or just a Tiger fan, that’s a great thing,” Smith said.
Due to the large number of people expected, it is advised that you order your tickets for the event ahead of time. Tickets can be purchased through the Mizzou ticket office. Call 1-800-CAT-PAWS or email johnstonjd@missouri.edu for more information.