Wrestlers Steal a Page from Senator Hatch!

July 26, 1999

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Some common questions that have been asked.

1- How much money needs to be raised?
A total of 7 million dollars. This ridiculous amount of money will go towards endowing wrestling, men's gymnastics (also dropped), and another female sport. Men's gymnastics has promised to raise their share of the money, and we have had some wealthy supporters say that they will dump in some hefty sums if we get close. We anticipate that our grass roots effort will need to raise 1.5 milion and the remainder will be covered by wealthy supporters and men's gymnastics.

2- What happens to the money if sufficient funds aren't raised?
We are keeping the funds in an account called Friends of Utah Wrestling. If we take the final tally to the university and they don't feel like the funds we've raised are sufficient. We plan to start a program at a local JC. BYU is currently the last college program left in Utah. We want to continue to give Utah wrestlers an opportunity to continue in the sport. We will continue Friends of Utah Wrestling to enhance the sport of wrestling in Utah.

Letter's have flooded the office of BYU President Merrill Bateman since the announcement that BYU would ax wrestling from their list of sponsored sports. The announcement shocked the wrestling community. They have watched their sport diminish at the college level dramatically in the state of Utah, despite a significant rise in participation at the high school level.

BYU expected some resistance to the decision, but the continued support from BYU Wrestling fans has been shocking. Recently Friends of Utah Wrestling, an organization that was formed to enhance the growth of wrestling in Utah, was given permission by President Bateman to raise money to endow wrestling at BYU. Friends of Utah Wrestling pushed hard for permission to give the wrestling community an opportunity to endow the program and the persistence has paid off.

What does this have to do with Senator Hatch? Friends of Utah Wrestling has launched its campaign to reinstate the program and is asking for donations of $36. "We don't need a million giving $36, but we believe that if every fan, family member, friend, or participant of wrestling donates $36 we will have the funds to endow wrestling at BYU." commented Ethan Harris President of FOUW.

The Cougars are looking forward to what we hope will not be their final season of wrestling. They return All-American Aaron Holker, NCAA qualifiers Rangi Smart and Chris Miller, and are hopeful about returned missionary Rocky Smart, a four-time Utah State Champion. It would be a shame to see a program on the rise shut out from competition. BYU hopes to break into the top ten and put Utah on the map as a prominant wrestling force.

Friends of Utah Wrestling has asked that you send checks to:

Friends of Utah Wrestling
17 East 145 North
Orem, Utah 84097

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