http://www.globegazette.com/articles/2008/06/26/sports/local/doc48631c8259e50382711979.txt


Fergola resigns as NIACC wrestling coach
MASON CITY — NIACC head wrestling coach Richard Fergola resigned his post on Wednesday.

“Coach Fergola did an outstanding job in spearheading our transition back to competitive wrestling,’’ NIACC athletic director Dan Mason said in a press release. “The accomplishments this season were tremendous and the coaching staff and the student-athletes should be commended.”

Wrestling’s comeback to NIACC this past year marked the addition of a sport with a tradition of excellence at the school. NIACC’s wrestling program won the national title in 1973. The wrestling team, which began in 1967, had a record of 126-18-2 before the program was dropped in 1976.

Fergola cited family and personal reasons for leaving the school.

“It is with the utmost regret that, due to family and personal reasons, I must resign my position as head wrestling coach and physical education instructor at NIACC,’’ Fergola said in a news release. “I want to thank Dr. Michael Morrison, Dan Mason and everyone else (very much for the opportunities that they) have given me this past season.”

Mason said that a national search for NIACC’s next head wrestling coach will begin immediately.

“We will move forward and attempt to secure a quality individual to maintain the momentum established during the 2007-2008 season, and we’re confident that, given our record and reputation, we’ll attract a quality pool of candidates,” he said