The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) announced today that Lawrence is joining the WIAC as an affiliate member for wrestling, effective with the 2002-03 season. Lawrence has wrestled as an independent since the Midwest Conference (MWC) dropped wrestling following the 1996-97 season. Lawrence is a charter member of the MWC and competes in that conference in every other sport, with the exception of men's ice hockey and men's and women's fencing.
"We are excited to become an affiliate member of the WIAC for the sport of wrestling," Lawrence Director of Athletics Kim Tatro said. "This gives our program a chance to compete for a conference championship, which is an opportunity denied to us as an independent. We welcome the opportunity to compete in a conference as competitive as the WIAC. I believe Lawrence's strong academic reputation and our national success in wrestling will enhance an already prolific conference."
Lawrence has sponsored wrestling since 1939, but the Vikings have joined the nation's elite teams over the past decade. Under the guidance of head coach Dave Novickis since 1993, the Vikings have seen unprecedented success in recent years. Novickis has helped 14 Lawrence wrestlers qualify for the NCAA Division III Championships, and the Vikings have had five All-Americans during his tenure. Lawrence wrestling broke new ground in 2002 when Andy Kazik capped a perfect season by winning the school's first national championship in wrestling.
"Joining the WIAC starts a new era for Lawrence wrestling," Novickis said. "It is as exciting as it will be challenging for our program and our wrestlers. We believe this will help us to continue to grow our presence on the national level."
WIAC Commissioner Gary Karner welcomed the addition of the Vikings to the group of six Wisconsin state universities.
"We are extremely pleased and fortunate to have an institution with the academic and athletic reputation of Lawrence University joining our conference," Karner said. "The Vikings have a strong tradition in the sport of wrestling, which will add excitement and interest to what already is a very competitive conference."
With the addition of Lawrence, seven institutions will be fielding wrestling teams in the WIAC during the 2002-03 season including, UW-Eau Claire, UW-La Crosse, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Platteville, UW-Stevens Point, and UW-Whitewater.
Lawrence is set to kick off its season at UW-Stevens Point on Nov. 9.