BEREA, Ohio – Baldwin Wallace University Director of Athletics Steve Thompson has announced that the University will add to its women's athletics programs with the addition of women's wrestling as a varsity sport.
BW leadership also approved the immediate national search to identify a full-time head coach for the University's 28th sport and 14th women's program.
"We are excited and thrilled to add another women's sport to our growing Athletics Department," stated Thompson. Men's wrestling has had a long and great tradition at BW, and we look forward to the women's program becoming one of the best in Division III. Men's Wrestling Head Coach Jamie Gibbs, who has provided tremendous leadership over the last 11 years, will provide oversight to the launch of the women's program."
Women's wrestling is rapidly expanding as a sport in Division III and in the State of Ohio, which will sponsor its first State Championship this winter. Women's wrestling becomes the third women's sport, and fourth overall sport added this year by the University after the addition of men's and women's bowling and STUNT was rolled out earlier this fall.
In addition to the announcement of women's wrestling, the University is excited to announce that a new facility will be built to house the newest program along with the successful Yellow Jacket men's wrestling team. The facility will include a state-of-the-art practice space, locker and meeting rooms, and offices. Construction date and location of the building are still being determined.
The addition of women's wrestling will bring the total number of varsity athletic teams at BW to 28. BW sponsors baseball, football, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's bowling, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's golf, men's and women's lacrosse, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's swimming and diving, men's and women's indoor and outdoor track and field, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's volleyball, men's and women's wrestling, softball, and STUNT.
BW becomes the 41st NCAA Division III school, the fourth in the state of Ohio and second in the Ohio Athletic Conference to offer women's wrestling.
