Together we are stronger!
California College Wrestling Coalition
Join the California College Wrestling Coalition
This is Coach Sean Gray (Stanford Wrestling) and Dan McCune (Fremont High School in Sunnyvale, CA). We’re lifelong wrestling advocates, youth coaches, and — like many of you — direct casualties of college wrestling programs being cut.
Coach Sean spent seven years coaching at Boston University while earning a master’s in education and coaching. BU’s wrestling program had a 100% graduation rate and was returning six national qualifiers — but it was dropped the year after he left for Princeton.
Coach Dan McCune, a longtime California wrestling leader and former team administrator at UC Davis, watched one of the state’s most tradition-rich programs get eliminated in 2010 — just three years after NCAA Champion Derek Moore put Aggie wrestling on the national map.
If you’ve felt the pain of these decisions, we’re asking you to take action.
Introducing the California College Wrestling Coalition
This initiative connects those impacted by dropped programs and anyone interested in preserving, supporting, and resurrecting college wrestling in California. As college sports shift to new profit-sharing models, wrestling programs are once again under threat. The time to act is now.
Why Join Us?
Be part of a network committed to sustaining and growing college wrestling in California.
Get plugged in with alumni, fans, and advocates fighting for the sport.
Receive updates, event announcements, Zoom invites, and access to our interactive forum.
Use our college wrestling database to stay connected with local programs.
And most importantly: Just. Show. Up. The best way to support wrestling is to be there — in the stands, in the community, and on the front lines.
Let’s tailgate with cauliflower ear, cheer for the next generation, and celebrate the programs we love.
Together, we can preserve the future of college wrestling — and maybe even bring some programs back to life.
Step 1 - Share your information
🔥 Help Keep College Wrestling on the Mat! 🔥
Wrestling fans, now’s the time to step up, show out, and make a difference for the sport we all love. Here's how YOU can be a powerful force in keeping wrestling thriving on campus and beyond:
🎟 Pack the Stands!
There’s nothing like the energy of a packed gym and loud crowd! Be there, be loud, and bring the fire—your support in the stands sends a clear message to school officials: wrestling matters. Fan turnout isn’t just fun—it’s power.
💥 Buy Season Tickets
Get a whole season of hard-nosed action at a great value. Season tickets are perfect for friends, family, and wrestling diehards alike. Every ticket sold strengthens the case for keeping and funding programs. Let’s show the administration that wrestling is a revenue-driving force.
🤼♂️ Build the Brotherhood
Wrestling is more than a sport—it’s a fraternity, a family, a lifestyle. Tailgate. Talk shop. Reconnect. Stay engaged. The more we share the passion, the stronger our community grows. Let’s keep the conversation—and the tradition—alive.
💪 Donate & Make a Real Impact
If you love wrestling, now’s the time to put that passion into action. College programs across the country are fighting to survive—and your direct support can be the lifeline they need.
💥 Give to your local college’s Regional Training Center (RTC):
Your donation fuels more than just the college team—it helps develop the next generation of champions. RTCs provide critical training opportunities for both college athletes and rising high school stars, keeping the pipeline of talent strong and competitive.
🌱 Grow the sport from the ground up:
When you support an RTC, you’re building the foundation for the future of wrestling at every level—from youth to Olympic hopefuls. Every dollar makes a difference in ensuring wrestling doesn't just survive—it thrives.
🛡️ Be a protector of the sport you love. Wrestling has given us grit, discipline, and a brotherhood like no other. Now it’s our turn to give back.
🏆 This is OUR sport. Let’s stand together and fight for it.
Support. Show up. Spread the word. College wrestling needs you.
Upcoming Ticketed College Duals
Why Paid Tickets Matter for NCAA Division I Wrestling in California
College wrestling thrives when communities show up and support the athletes on the mat. For NCAA Division I programs in California, paid ticket attendance is more than just a seat in the stands—it's a direct investment in the future of the sport. Here’s why paid tickets are essential for sustaining and growing D1 wrestling in the state:
1. Strengthening Program Funding
Wrestling is a non-revenue sport at the D1 level. Ticket sales help cover critical costs such as:
Team travel
Coaching salaries
Training equipment
Athletic trainers and medical support
Recruiting operations
Every ticket sold helps ensure the program remains competitive and financially stable.
2. Offsetting Higher California Operating Costs
California programs face elevated expenses, including facility rentals, staff salaries, and travel to out-of-state meets. Paid attendance helps offset these unique financial pressures and keeps wrestling programs viable on the West Coast.
3. Protecting Programs From Cuts
Paid attendance showcases measurable community support—something athletic administrators closely track. When programs demonstrate revenue and fan engagement, they are far less likely to face reduction or elimination.
4. Supporting Title IX Balance
As a men’s sport, wrestling must coexist within broader gender-equity requirements. Revenue from ticket sales helps athletic departments support women’s sports while maintaining a strong men’s wrestling program.
5. Delivering High-Quality Events
D1 wrestling meets require:
Certified officials
Professional event staff
Security and gate control
Sports medicine coverage
High-performance facilities
Ticket revenue helps maintain the high standards expected at the Division I level.
6. Driving Growth for Wrestling in California
Despite California’s large youth wrestling community, only three NCAA Division I wrestling programs remain. Strong ticket sales:
Demonstrate demand
Help protect existing teams
Encourage universities to consider adding new programs
Growing attendance is essential to expanding D1 wrestling opportunities across the state.
7. Enhancing the Athlete and Fan Experience
Packed stands elevate the atmosphere, strengthen school pride, and attract top-tier recruits. A vibrant fanbase also creates new opportunities for student-athletes in areas like NIL partnerships and community engagement.
Your Ticket Makes a Difference
When you purchase a ticket to a college wrestling event in California, you’re not just watching a match—you’re helping secure the future of NCAA Division I wrestling in the state.
Show up. Cheer loud. Support the sport!