2008 Woodie Awards
BREAKING NEWS: SIUE wrestling coach announces resignation
Funding also pulled for wrestling and volleyball arena
Josh McCarty
Issue date: 6/18/08 Section: Sports
SIUE head wrestling coach Pat McNamara announced his resignation Monday, effective June 30. The announcement comes after a major donor canceled his $2 million contribution to the new, $10 million wrestling and volleyball arena, effectively canceling its construction.
McNamara said the funding for the arena did play a part in his decision, but he did not want to go into details.
"I feel bad that I have to move on," McNamara said. "I definitely hope the best for the university moving forward."
The donor, Mark Mestemacher, owner of the Fairmont City firm Ceres Consulting, declined comment on the situation, other than to say McNamara was an "awesome coach."
McNamara will join the Edwardsville Wrestling Club July 1, coaching alongside Mestemacher, who has been with the club since 1993.
Athletic Director Brad Hewitt could not be reached for comment as of Monday morning.
SIUE freshman wrestler Eric Pretto said he was a little upset by the news of the resignation.
"He was a great coach," Pretto said. "SIUE lost probably the best coach they ever had, not just in wrestling, but in all sports."
For more information, check alestlelive.com and see Wednesday's edition of The Alestle.
McNamara said the funding for the arena did play a part in his decision, but he did not want to go into details.
"I feel bad that I have to move on," McNamara said. "I definitely hope the best for the university moving forward."
The donor, Mark Mestemacher, owner of the Fairmont City firm Ceres Consulting, declined comment on the situation, other than to say McNamara was an "awesome coach."
McNamara will join the Edwardsville Wrestling Club July 1, coaching alongside Mestemacher, who has been with the club since 1993.
Athletic Director Brad Hewitt could not be reached for comment as of Monday morning.
SIUE freshman wrestler Eric Pretto said he was a little upset by the news of the resignation.
"He was a great coach," Pretto said. "SIUE lost probably the best coach they ever had, not just in wrestling, but in all sports."
For more information, check alestlelive.com and see Wednesday's edition of The Alestle.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
john
posted 6/23/08 @ 6:21 PM CST
pat really was the best thing to happen to siue. hewitt screwed it all up he should resign not pat
Mike
posted 6/23/08 @ 6:25 PM CST
If Hewitt would have pulled his head out of his butt to follow through with the original deal, SIUE would have kept an awesome coach and gotten a new facility that would have brought a lot of revenue for the college. (Continued…)
Supporter
posted 6/23/08 @ 9:45 PM CST
Over sixty (that's right, 60) applicants from major wrestling programs applied for this job. We hired the best, right Admin.? Now, you lose them after about one year? Thanks for your support. (Continued…)
Robb
posted 6/24/08 @ 8:34 AM CST
I wish Pat the best!!! He is a great coach and a great person. He will be sorely missed by the SIUE wrestling program.
Athlete
posted 6/25/08 @ 6:56 PM CST
The administration probably didn't want that money to go to the wrestling program or the volleyball program anyway. The top dog himself only wants attention to be paid to the men's basketball program, which isn't the big money maker they want it to be yet, even with all the talent that they have. (Continued…)
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