Two NDSU programs alter recruiting pitch

The Forum, Fargo, North Dakota

Bucky Maughan NDSU wrestling coach He is beginning to recruit for the Bison with a different emphasis now that his program is eligible for postseason play in 2006-07

By Jeff Kolpack jkolpack@forumcomm.com
Sports - 09/20/2004

North Dakota State wrestling coach Bucky Maughan is hitting the road this weekend with a recruiting pitch that has some velocity.

Thanks to an NCAA interpretation, NDSU’s wrestling and volleyball programs will be eligible for postseason competition in 2006-07. Previously, they were slated to come off probation with all of the other Bison sports in 2008-09 -- the result of NDSU’s five-year reclassification to Division I.

“This comes as a big curve ball that is hanging there,” said volleyball coach Zaundra Bina.

Both coaches hope to hit it out of the park.

Up until this week, Bina’s recruiting pitch included a realistic message to not expect playoff competition for four years. Maughan gave each of his recruits a certified letter from himself and athletic director Gene Taylor that said if NDSU isn’t eligible for the Division I wrestling tournament in two years, the school will let the athlete transfer to another school.

“We don’t have to do that anymore,” Maughan said.

Maughan is canvassing Minnesota this weekend, then heading to the Milwaukee area. He has shored up contacts in the Chicago area and his hometown turf around Pittsburgh, Pa.

“Now we’re recruiting with the same opportunity as everybody else,” he said.

The NCAA ruling may also put NDSU’s wrestling conference on a faster schedule. Independents Northern Iowa, Fresno State (Calif.), Wyoming, Air Force and Eastern Illinois were not in a hurry to form the Western Wrestling League until the four schools in transition -- NDSU, South Dakota State, Utah Valley State and Northern Colorado -- were fully Division I eligible. The Maughan family was instrumental in the NCAA ruling. Jack Maughan, the UNC head coach and president of the National Wrestling Coaches Association, worked with the NCAA for more than two years to try and get the reclassification period for individual sports lessened. The NCAA membership subcommittee rejected that, but came back with an interpretation of an existing rule that said a Division II school can move one men’s and women’s sport to Division I except football and basketball. It’s the same rule that allows the University of North Dakota to be Division I in hockey and Division II in everything else. Like NDSU, UNC and South Dakota State each declared wrestling and volleyball. “By the time we’re eligible, we’ll have a pretty good Division I team,” Maughan said.

Readers can reach Forum reporter Jeff Kolpack at (701) 241-5546