Now we're talkin' big time.
Plan calls for @RUWrestling to host match on football field Nov. 19 before #RFootball vs. #PennState https://t.co/raFgC6QELe @ncaawrestling
— Ryan Dunleavy (@rydunleavy) May 2, 2016
It isn't the first time that a wrestling match has been held outdoors. Maybe not at Rutgers, but last year, over 43,000 attended an Iowa wrestling match at Kinnick Stadium. No football doubleheader, just wrestling. We aren't quite there yet, but I love the idea.
Wrestling in America - over 42.000 (!) fans at "Grapple on the Gridiron" #wrestling @USAWrestling pic.twitter.com/3mTE2Hc1zk
— Niklas Dravits (@niklasdr_) January 27, 2016
As reported by Ryan Dunleavy, this would be a separate admission event.
The concept has been in the works for months, and the expected date would be a Nov. 19 separate-admission doubleheader with the much-anticipated Rutgers-Penn State football game — provided that Big Ten Network places the football game into prime time later this week.
The wresling match would see Princeton, a long time rival, travel to Piscataway for the event. So we wait for the BTN football schedule. But this is a pretty good event and why would BTN mess it up?
The wrestling match would likely start at noon or 1:00. The football would follow at night with a separate admission. But what a great tailgate break - or preliminary - on a beautiful fall afternoon.
There already seems to be a positive relationship between wrestling coach Scott Goodale and new football mentor Chris Ash.
Thank you @CoachGoodale for speaking to our team today. #RUWrestling pic.twitter.com/UeFS8aSlQy
— Chris Ash (@CoachChrisAsh) April 7, 2016
Goodale was a former high school offensive coordinator at Jackson Memorial, in addition to his wrestling duties.
Academic All Big Ten
Six members of the Rutgers wrestling team were among the 32 Scarlet Knights recognized Wednesday on the Winter 2016 Academic All-Big Ten List. Nicholas Gravina, Nicholas Ottaviano, Josh Patrick, Anthony Pafumi, Anthony Perrotti, and Billy Smith were all honored for their achievements in the classroom.
To be eligible for Academic All-Big Ten selection, student-athletes must be letterwinners who are in at least their second academic year at their institution and carry a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher.
Five of the six honorees - Gravina, Pafumi, Patrick, Perrotti, and Smith - were named Academic All-Big Ten last season. Smith is a three-time National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) All-Academic Team selection.