The future of collegiate wrestling hangs in the balance and nowhere is that more apparent than at Cleveland State University. In a crushing blow to athletes and fans, CSU recently announced that it will be dropping its Division I wrestling program at the end of the 2024-25 academic year due to financial struggles.

The decision follows years of uncertainty, as the program had previously been marked for removal back in 2015 before being reinstated through student-supported athletic fees. This time, however, the university’s Board of Trustees has officially proceeded with shutting it down, leaving many to speculate if this will truly be the end for CSU wrestling.

While Cleveland State’s program is handed a bleak fate, Lock Haven University’s wrestling program just scored a tremendous win. Thanks to a record-breaking $3.5 million fundraising effort, spearheaded by Lock Haven alumnus and former NCAA wrestling champion Jim Schuster ‘76, the future of the Bald Eagles’ wrestling program has never been more secure.

During a period where wrestling programs are under threat across the country, this record donation ensures that Lock Haven remains a power in the sport.

Schuster’s legacy and the fight to save wrestling

Jim Schuster’s journey to Lock Haven wrestling was far from typical. A potential football player initially, a disastrous ACL injury derailed his gridiron hopes. But when Hall of Fame Lock Haven coach Ken Cox saw something in him, Schuster took a chance on wrestling. It was the best risk of his life. With little background, he proceeded to become an NCAA All-American, break school records, and leave his imprint forever on Mat-Town USA.

Decades later, his connection to Lock Haven wrestling remained strong. After being inducted into the Lock Haven Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2024, Schuster wanted to give back to the program that had given him so much. Partnering with his wife, Ann Marie, the couple made a significant six-figure gift to Lock Haven’s “The Rise” campaign, a fundraising effort developed to ensure the program’s future.

This is not just a monetary gift—it’s a legacy gift. Schuster’s gift goes directly toward scholarships for wrestlers who possess the same grit, discipline, and love of the sport that defined his own career. At a time when universities like Cleveland State are struggling to preserve their wrestling programs, Lock Haven is showing that specific investment and alumni dedication can make all the difference.

While programs are being cut across the country, Schuster’s donation is a statement that wrestling is still part of collegiate athletics. His gift provides Lock Haven wrestlers with the tools they need to train, compete, and excel at the highest level.

Head Coach Scott Moore praised the Schusters for their commitment, saying this gift allows Lock Haven to remain competitive amid a period of increasing uncertainty for collegiate wrestling. “When legends like Jim Schuster come forward, it’s a testament that our program is more than wins and losses. It’s a tradition that can’t be taken away.”

As Lock Haven wrestling secures its future, Cleveland State’s program remains in limbo. CSU students had already voted to increase tuition to save wrestling, but the university has quietly allocated the funds elsewhere. Cleveland’s wrestling community is left to wonder now if another last-minute reprieve is feasible.

While Cleveland State’s wrestling future is uncertain, Lock Haven’s is thriving, thanks in large part to the generosity of Jim and Ann Marie Schuster. This $3.5 million project isn’t just about wrestling—it’s about securing a tradition-rich program’s place in college athletics for generations to come. In an age where college wrestling programs are being cut left and right, Lock Haven has proved that wrestling isn’t just surviving—it’s rising.