Iowa Western Community College athletics will enter a new arena this fall.
The college will join Indian Hills Community College as the only junior colleges in Iowa with a women’s wrestling program.
The program’s launch was approved by the Iowa Western Board of Trustees during its meeting Monday at the Cass County Center in Atlantic.
President Dan Kinney estimated the program would cost about $160,000 the first year, with revenue likely less than $1,000.
“I think, more importantly, it’s an opportunity for young ladies who are interested in wrestling to have that opportunity,” he said.
It also increases the equity between men’s and women’s athletic opportunities, Kinney said.
The college will use members of its existing coaching staff to operate the program, he said.
As of January, there were only seven colleges in the National Junior College Athletic Association with women’s wrestling programs, according to American Women’s Wrestling. There were 42 in the NCAA and 37 NAIA programs.
“We’ll be competing with four-year institutions, too,” Kinney said.
Four-year colleges in Iowa with women’s programs include Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa Wesleyan University in Mount Pleasant, Waldorf University in Forest City and William Penn University in Oskaloosa, according to AWW. Nebraska colleges include Hastings College, Midland University and York College.
The number of programs has increased steadily over the last three years, Kinney said.
“There’s growing support,” he said. “It’s become an emerging sport in the NJCAA, and we’re going to be on the forefront.”
Iowa Western Coach Josh Watts suggested that Kinney consider adding a women’s wrestling program, Kinney said. He intended to wait another year, but interest has been exploding.
“The word slipped out that we were thinking about it and, all of a sudden, our coaches started getting calls,” he said.
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The college will join Indian Hills Community College as the only junior colleges in Iowa with a women’s wrestling program.
The program’s launch was approved by the Iowa Western Board of Trustees during its meeting Monday at the Cass County Center in Atlantic.
President Dan Kinney estimated the program would cost about $160,000 the first year, with revenue likely less than $1,000.
“I think, more importantly, it’s an opportunity for young ladies who are interested in wrestling to have that opportunity,” he said.
It also increases the equity between men’s and women’s athletic opportunities, Kinney said.
The college will use members of its existing coaching staff to operate the program, he said.
As of January, there were only seven colleges in the National Junior College Athletic Association with women’s wrestling programs, according to American Women’s Wrestling. There were 42 in the NCAA and 37 NAIA programs.
“We’ll be competing with four-year institutions, too,” Kinney said.
Four-year colleges in Iowa with women’s programs include Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa Wesleyan University in Mount Pleasant, Waldorf University in Forest City and William Penn University in Oskaloosa, according to AWW. Nebraska colleges include Hastings College, Midland University and York College.
The number of programs has increased steadily over the last three years, Kinney said.
“There’s growing support,” he said. “It’s become an emerging sport in the NJCAA, and we’re going to be on the forefront.”
Iowa Western Coach Josh Watts suggested that Kinney consider adding a women’s wrestling program, Kinney said. He intended to wait another year, but interest has been exploding.
“The word slipped out that we were thinking about it and, all of a sudden, our coaches started getting calls,” he said.
Iowa Western to add women's wrestling
Iowa Western Community College athletics will enter a new arena this fall.
