I see from the schedules that Baker University from Kansas will send wrestlers to this open. The tournament is starting out small, but I expect it to grow to be one of the largest opens in the country just like it was at that other school in NE. We just need to find a facility that can hold all those mats!
Btw, Mizzou is bringing their entire team.
November 29, 2011
Saints Host Inaugural Kaufman-Brand Open
Maryville University wrestling will host the inaugural Maryville Kaufman-Brand Open Sunday, Dec., 4, at 9 a.m. in Moloney Arena (Simon Center).
Head wrestling coach Mike Denney made it a point when switching from the University of Nebraska-Omaha to Maryville to keep the Kaufman-Brand title. This is something coach Denney, his family, Maryville University and the wrestling community feel very strongly about. The Kaufman-Brand has been running for sixteen consecutive years, and Maryville is eager to continue the tradition.
Every November, UNO hosted the nation's largest collegiate wrestling meet. The Kaufman-Brand open has attracted up to 700 wrestlers from 35 teams in 12 states to the tournament.
The meet, originally named the UNO Open, was renamed in honor of the late Ryan Kaufman, a UNO national champion and a member of the school's Athletic Hall of Fame. Kaufman, who served as an Omaha, Neb., fireman, was killed in a traffic accident in early 1991. His legacy lives on through this tournament.
Glen Brand, an Omaha, Neb., resident and former Olympic wrestling champion, has provided financial support to the tournament and sponsored the Glen Brand open, which was held at UNO every January. Glen passed away several years ago, and his son, Greg Brand, has taken over responsibilities for the meet.
Every year, selected individuals are inducted into the Kaufman-Brand Hall of Fame. This year's recipients are Kaufman's parents (Bob and Jo), his wife, Denise, and two daughters. They will be honored prior to the start of the match and presented with the Maryville Kaufman-Brand Hall of Fame award.
For those who are unable to attend the tournament at Maryville University, a Livestream will be available on the internet. There are two ways to view the Livestream: "like" the Maryville wrestling Facebook page (
www.facebook.com/saintswrestling), or visit
www.livestream.com/maryvillewrestling.If you have any questions concerning the tournament, please contact head coach Mike Denney, assistant coach James Reynolds, or intern Sean Wollenberg.
mdenney@maryville.edu
jreynolds@maryville.edu
swollenberg@live.maryville.edu
Contact: Sean Wollenberg
