From: Steven Holt <holtrx@yahoo.com>
To: bruskibest@yahoo.com
Sent: Saturday, June 17, 2006 5:21:05 PM
Subject: FS Wrestling

Dear Fresno State Athletic Dept, et al.,

It is with great regrets that I write this letter as I have recently heard about your plans to drop the Wrestling program from your schools athletic teams.

This would be a big mistake in my opinion. Fresno State has a rich history of quality wrestling teams and individuals (e.g. Stephen Abbas) that have equaled or bettered some of the best programs in the State of California.

It also serves as a recruiting venue to bring in many talented student athletes to a relatively obscure area (Fresno is not a well known town in other arenas). It also allows many potential non-collegiate interested youths to be tempted to engage in a college education through athletics.

Besides, as we all know, Wrestling is one of the most demanding AND cerebral sports known to mankind. Most wrestling teams also boast of their school's highest GPA's for sports teams.

As a former collegiate and high school (as well as international) Wrestling championship competitor/coach and referee, I implore you to reconsider the options, arrange the finances and keep the program. It's not that expensive of a sport- really. Hosting a tournament or two can easily pay for the benefits of a program of your caliber. Don't deny the young men and women the chance to compete in one of the greatest (statistically, not egocentrically) Wrestling States in the union!

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Steven Holt, M.A. ED
CCS champion, CIF place winner, JC State place winner, American Junior World team, Junior Olympics finalist, etc.