MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Northern Michigan University has extended its Greco-Roman Wrestling program by another year.
In June, NMU announced the discontinuation of the program by the end of the 2026-27 academic year, due to financial inability and facility space pressure from its other NCAA and GLIAC programs. Now, after months of feedback from its athletes and families, the university has extended that closing date until the spring of 2028.
NMU Chief Marketing Director Derek Hall says in its final seasons, the program will still prove beneficial to its athletes.
“Hearing from the athletes and their families, 2028 would be a much better date because that leads up to the Olympic trials,” he explained.
Beginning in 1999, the program was previously funded by both state and federal governments. By 2011, a USA Wrestling sponsorship covered those costs until 2020, while deeming NMU a National Training Site. Over the past six years, the university has held full financial responsibility of the program, something it claims to be no longer possible long-term.
While deciding the fate of the program, NMU officials tried to restore prior or partial funds from USA Wrestling, but those asks were unsuccessful.
In a statement to WZMQ 19, National Teams USA Wrestling Associate Executive Director Cody Bickley wrote:
“Although USA Wrestling remains saddened by the initial decision to discontinue its Greco-Roman wrestling program, we appreciate Northern Michigan University’s recent choice to delay the program’s conclusion date. USA Wrestling remains athlete-focused, and the updated timeline offers additional time to evaluate, identify, and pursue auxiliary options for Greco-Roman wrestlers at the National Training Site. This extension allows athletes to continue training at the National Training Site in Marquette, Michigan, through the 2028 U.S. Olympic Trials, leading up to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. USA Wrestling’s immediate priority is to limit disruptions for wrestlers at the National Training Site so they can focus on their Olympic goals. In the meantime, USA Wrestling is working with leadership to develop a long-term plan to support the affected wrestlers. Since 1999, the National Training Site in Marquette has played a key role in developing Greco-Roman wrestling in the United States. USA Wrestling is optimistic that the lengthened timeline will enable us to work with athletes and coaches, along with the broader wrestling community, to identify a strong path forward that supports current and future generations of Greco-Roman wrestlers.”
NMU will use the remainder of the program to focus on the futures of these athletes, to still provide them with both an education and top-of-the-line training.
“Any of these athletes with a scholarship, we will honor that scholarship and we wish those athletes well. It’s great competition, they travel the world representing the United States and we’re very proud of that,” said Hall.
By May of 2028, the Greco-Roman Wrestling team will become the ninth discontinued Olympic organization on NMU grounds.
