NWCA Pres Brian Smith disappointed with Absense of Hawkeyes in Nat’l Duals

Posted on | September 8, 2010 | No Comments

Wrestling leaders in the sport have begun to weigh in the absence of the U of Iowa from this years NWCA National Duals. The current NWCA President Brian Smith knows that Tom Brands and the Hawkeyes are integral to the success of this event. Listen to this interview.

Special From: National Wrestling Examiner Mark Palmer

The University of Iowa wrestling program — defending NCAA Division I team champs — released its 2010-2011 schedule today… and what’s most noteworthy is what’s missing: the 2011 NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals.

A quick look at the list posted at the National Wrestling Coaches Association website of D1 teams that have confirmed their participation in the January 8-9, 2011 event at the UNI-Dome at the University of Northern Iowa, and Iowa is not on the list. The Hawkeyes have taken part in the National Duals going back to when Dan Gable was head coach (he retired in 1997).

Referring to what he called “a firestorm of criticism,” the Hawkeyes’ head wrestling coach Tom Brands addressed the issue in an audio interview with Scott Casber of Takedown Radio.

“We support Mike Moyer (president of NWCA) and the NWCA in their energy to change to a real National Duals,” said Brands. “Right now, it’s an invitational, and we’re not ready to commit to that kind of event.”

“I realize it’s a hot topic, and our absence is being discussed… I understand I’ve put Mike Moyer in a bind.”

The fifth-year Iowa coach said he had given the matter considerable thought, saying that the reason the upcoming season’s schedule was issued later than normal was because of this matter.

Brands did leave open the possibility that Iowa would travel 90 miles north to Cedar Falls to compete at the National Duals… if the team has earned a place among the top D1 teams in the nation in the weeks leading up to the early January event. However, according to Iowa’s schedule, the day before the National Duals kicks off Saturday morning, the Hawkeyes will be hosting Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville at Iowa City (January 7, 2011, time to be determined).

Other notable opponents on Iowa’s schedule: cross-state rivals Iowa State (at Iowa City) and Northern Iowa (at Cedar Falls), along with Big Ten rivals Ohio State, Indiana, Purdue, Michigan, Michigan State, and Penn State, among others.

According to the NWCA, D1 teams that have committed to the 2011 National Duals include Cornell University, ranked as the number one team in some preseason polls. Other programs expected to participate: Oklahoma State, Ohio State, and University of Minnesota.

In addition, Iowa will be participating in the 2010 Midlands, the post-Christmas tournament at Northwestern University.

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