In Nov. of 2025, Slippery Rock University’s athletic department announced the return of the men’s varsity wrestling program. A program that has not been around since 2006 will be returning to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II competition in the 2027-28 season.
The decision to bring back the program will open many doors for the university and the students.
“It’s anything that gives kids an opportunity to come to school here and excel, other than being a student. Excel in something that they love,” Dr. Roberta Page, the Director of Athletics, said.
It was not just one person who wanted to bring the sport back to the university. There was a group of alumni who were very passionate about the idea.
In addition to the announcement, SRU has also launched a fundraising campaign with a goal of $2 million to support the program.
“They’re calling it the Dudley Match,” Page said.
Former Slippery Rock wrestler Robert Dudley, class of 1977, created the dollar-for-dollar match challenge.
And the support they’ve seen from the community has exceeded expectations.
“Talk about a passionate group of individuals that really wanted to see this go,” Page said. “They’ve put their money where their mouth is, and I don’t think it’s going to stop.”
It is not just the alumni who are getting excited; others in the community are reaching out, wondering how they can help.
“That afternoon, when the announcement went out, my email went crazy,” said Page. “So, everybody got the news, and everyone’s just immediately like, ‘How can I get involved?’”
Despite the excitement, Page emphasized that they athletic department is approaching this process deliberately, and taking the time to make sure they get it right. They have the whole 2026-27 academic year to make sure everything is ready. From the coaching staff, equipment, and support staff.
“We’ll be ready for when those guys come on here. They’ll feel like they are going to be an accepted part of this athletic department,” she said.
The next steps are to hire a coach. The goal is for a head coach to be hired by the beginning of the 2026 fall semester. Interviews will be held during the spring semester, with the hopes of hiring after the summer.
“We’re going to go a whole year, beginning in 2026-27, hire the coach and get things set up in the field house,” Page said. “So, making sure that the individual is set and ready to roll on 2027-28 when competition will begin.”
The biggest challenge, Page said, is just making sure they are ready.
“That’s why we’re giving ourselves a whole year to do that,” she said.
The return of the wrestling program is expected to reconnect alumni with the university and strengthen ties with the community.
“It’s going to unite some of those people who want to come back and support something they’re very passionate about,” she said.
Page is expecting a strong turnout for the first day of competition, drawing not only faculty and students, but also alumni and local supporters. Everything from athlete introductions to choosing the right announcer is all very well thought out.
“I want to make sure that when we do this, we are ready,” she said.
While the immediate next steps are to hire a head coach, Page is also focusing on keeping the campaign going and making sure the alumni involved are in the loop. The athletic department plans to create a document where alumni can submit questions to ensure that they are delivering accurate and consistent answers.
With all of the planning and thought that has gone into getting this program up and running again, Page is very optimistic about the immediate success of bringing back the program.
“I think we’re in a great area for wrestling. I think Slippery Rock is amazing,” she said. “I think the two together are going to provide some very quick, rapid outcomes.”
And not only is this an exciting time for The Rock, but it is also a very exciting time for her.
“Somebody that sits in this seat,” Page said, “how can you not get excited about the energy?”
