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    Lindenwood University Sports Information •

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    Lindenwood coach Parisi steps down

    Joe Parisi, longtime head coach of the five-time national champion Lindenwood University wrestling team, has stepped down to assume additional administrative duties at Lindenwood and to devote more time to his role as dean of day admissions.

    Joe Parisi
    Parisi, 38, has served in the dual role of coach and admissions dean for the past five years. Parisi and his admissions staff have been responsible for recruiting the students that have filled Lindenwood's residence halls to capacity and created a waiting list the past two years.

    “At an enrollment-driven institution like Lindenwood, admissions is the economic engine,” said Parisi. “This has to be my top priority. It's a satisfying, but never-ending job.”

    Parisi has mixed emotions about leaving the wrestling program that he built into a national power. But he said the time is right, particularly since he has been grooming his replacement, Chad Smith, for the past several years.

    “Chad is more than ready for this,” said Parisi. “He is an outstanding recruiter, and he embraces the high standards of our program. I wouldn't be surprised to see him take our team to even greater heights in the future.”

    Parisi has coached 118 All-Americans at Lindenwood since he became head coach in 1998. Twenty-eight of those wrestlers were national champions. That elite group of Parisi-coached Lindenwood alumni includes two head collegiate head coaches and dozens of high school wrestling coaches across the country.

    “Everywhere Chad and I go to recruit we run into Lindenwood wrestling alums,” said Parisi. “That's one of the most satisfying aspects of being a coach -- seeing your kids succeed in life.”

    Joe Parisi (Photo/Don Adams Jr.)
    Parisi said the 2002 Lindenwood wrestling team stands out slightly more than the other national champion teams because “it was the first national champion. But the '05 team set an NAIA record for all-Americans and points scored. You know what, I love them all.”

    Parisi, who is completing coursework on his doctoral degree in education and beginning his dissertation, served the head assistant wrestling coach at Missouri Valley College from 1993 until 1998, when he became Lindenwood's head wrestling coach. At Lindenwood, he also has worked as executive director of American Humanics, admissions counselor, faculty member, and associate director of admissions.

    Lindenwood President James D. Evans, Ph.D., said Parisi's contributions to Lindenwood continue to accumulate.

    “Joe is a fine young administrator,” said Evans. “He impresses me daily with his professionalism and leadership. I think his drive as an athlete and a coach have served him well in his admissions endeavors. Lindenwood is fortunate to have him.”

    Evans has appointed Chad Smith interim wrestling coach. Smith will continue his off-season duties running the University's fitness center.
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