Husband and Wife Team to Save CS-Fullerton Gymnastics and Wrestling Programs

Here’s a piece of good news from California at a time when all we seem to be talking about are how budget pressures are leading to the elimination of teams:

Thanks to generous donations from gymnastics and wrestling communities, the Cal State Fullerton gymnastics and wrestling programs have been retained for the 2010-11 academic year.

“All along I thought we could do it,” said wrestling Head Coach Dan Hicks. “I don’t think anyone else in the world thought we could do it, but we thought we could.”

The gymnastics and wrestling teams had to raise $280,000 and $200,000, respectively, by May 1, to ensure their survival.

“It has been a long year and it hasn’t really sunk in. There are a lot of challenges to come,” said gymnastics Head Coach Jill Hicks. “I am really grateful that we have another year.”

A $65,000 private donation right before the deadline gave the gymnastics program enough to get by.

“Raising money is not easy, especially in this economy, but many people were generous in their support,” said Brian Quinn, CSUF athletics director.

Because of Title IX – which provides women equal opportunity in college athletics – both teams needed to fund enough money to rule out elimination.

This put the Hickses in a unique position, being husband and wife, with the task of funding their own programs.

Here at the CSC, Coach Hicks first contacted us in July 2009 about his program’s predicament, and we’re thrilled he was able to raise the money to keep two great programs. I’ll be following up with Coach Hicks personally, so look for more info on the situation at CS-Fullerton in the coming days.