Everything must go. The number of college wrestling teams has dropped dramatically over the last two decades because of budget constraints and gender equity. Although the sport is as popular as ever at youth levels, opportunities for wrestlers to extend their careers into college are decreasing every year. NCAA wrestling programs have dropped from 374 in 1979-80 to 238 this season. The number of Division I teams has fallen from 152 to 91, a figure that will drop again next season when Brigham Young cuts its program.
Wrestling is strong right now at all levels except college.
Reasons for the cuts are generally a combination of finances and Title IX, the federal law that requires schools to give men and women equal athletic opportunities. As a non-revenue sport that schools are not adding for women, wrestling has often been the first on the chopping block. One of the schools that has saved its wrestling program is Nebraska, although it is looking for a new coach. Tim Neumann resigned last month amid accusations of improper scholarship payments. Not every school is so lucky.