None of that matters because if you're starting a new sport the persons attempting to get that done are going to have to bring new money in order to get it done. Neither KU or KSU are going to spend a dime on a new sport except if it is to stay in compliance with Title IX or to improve the male sports they already have. No meetings with regents or letters to legislators will accomplish anything because both schools can demonstrate, and honestly so, that they can't afford another program. I'm telling all of you pie in the sky thinkers that you can wish all you want for a program at the two Big 12 schools and that is all it will ever be, a wish. If you really want a program, let's raise a million dollars and take it to WSU! Better yet, let's raise the million and take it to all three and see which one bites.
I actually like this idea. Many of you know I got involved in a effort with a group of individuals in Kansas a few years ago to try to convince one of our three Kansas D-1 universities to add wrestling. We ran into many of the roadblocks that you have all been discussing. Over the years that I was involved in the effort I became convinced that the only way to actually get wrestling added would be thru the raising of money. I believe that we need to show these universities that the wrestling community is going to financially support wrestling in a significant way. A couple of years ago on the national wrestling forum this issue was discussed and the idea of a National College Wrestling Endowment fund was discussed. Cael Sanderson became an advocate of the concept at that time. I had some correspondence with the leaders of the National Wrestling Coaches Association. They were considering launching such a fund and fund raising effort. I think the idea fizzled out when the stock market and economy started to crash in late 2007 and into 2008. As far as I know they never launched the Endowment fund.
But I do still think that is the way to add college wrestling programs. We have to endow these colleges for their wrestling programs. Right now I am doing that with Baker University where my son started wrestling for this year. But I would still be willing to get involved with a new endowment fund with the purpose of funding all Kansas college wrestling. I think that funding could be directed at all our Kansas colleges. I would be okay with the main objective being first getting a D-1 school established. I think a non for profit would have to be formed with an elected Board. I would be willing to get involved with a group working to establish such a non for profit along with financially contributing to the Kansas College Endowment Fund.
Edit ( I just bumped on the high school forum the topic I started in May 2008 that introduced the National College Wrestling Endowment Fund concept)
