Nebraska-Omaha Wrestlers Win National Title, Lose Program

On Saturday, the University of Nebraska-Omaha won its third straight Division II national wrestling championship. A few hours later, the wrestling coach was notified the program would like cease to exist on account of UNO moving up to D-1. Football's gone, too.

Perfect timing.

While wrestling is arguably the Maverick sport best equipped right now to compete on a Division I level, [Athletic Director Trev] Alberts said it would be dropped under the plan to align the athletic department's offerings more closely with that of the Summit League. As part of that goal, UNO would add men's teams in soccer and golf.

After receiving the Summit League bid Friday, Alberts waited until after the Maverick wrestlers wrapped up the national title Saturday night before beginning to notify coaches of the plan. Alberts met with UNO football coach Pat Behrns at 10 p.m. and was attempting to reach wrestling coach Mike Denney by phone late Saturday night.

"Regardless of my personal interests, on a professional level, the decision is rather straightforward,'' said [UNO Chancellor John] Christensen, [a former college wrestler] who was in Kearney on Saturday rooting for Maverick wrestlers. "Every possible option was explored.'' ...

The Summit is seeking to fill an opening for 2012 created by Southern Utah's move to the Big Sky Conference. Alberts said if UNO does not take the bid, some other school will.

"I have this incredible opportunity that may not come again,'' Alberts said.

UNO takes aim at Division I [World Herald]

Decision to drop wrestling at Nebraska-Omaha makes no sense at all [The Mat] (H/T Chris C.)