The new wrestling program -- along with the addition of swimming and diving -- will give St. Thomas University 21 varsity sports, all which compete in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).
"We are thrilled to add these new sports, and to provide more options for college bound student-athletes," said St. Thomas University Athletics Director, Laura Courtley-Todd. "The university's approach and vision for ethical leadership, makes it very attractive to students and there is no better way of gaining leadership skills than through sports participation."
David A. Armstrong, J.D., St. Thomas University President, echoed those sentiments, saying, "We know that students who participate in athletics are more engaged, socially and academically. We look forward to these new students continuing the positive momentum."
St. Thomas becomes the third collegiate program in Florida to add the sport, joining Keiser and Southeastern. St. Thomas will be part of the Mid-South Conference, becoming the eleventh team in the sport and will compete against Southeastern, Keiser, Brewton -- Parker (Ga.), Campbellsville (Ky.), Cumberland (Tenn.), Life (Ga.), Lindsey Wilson (Ky.), Midway (Ky.), Thomas More (Ky.) and Cumberlands (Ky.).
Mike Moyer, the Executive Director of the National Wrestling Coaches Association, said, "The NWCA extends a heartfelt thanks to the St. Thomas University Administration for their extraordinary leadership in establishing an intercollegiate wrestling program."
"There are over 390-high school wrestling teams (7,700 participants) in Florida, and until now, two intercollegiate teams," Moyer added. "We will do everything we can, as an association, to ensure that the STU program is wildly successful."
St. Thomas University is a private, four-year university affiliated with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Miami. Founded in 1961, STU has an enrollment of approximately 4,200 students.
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