Picture a $1 million wrestling tournament. Out of this world, right? Come November 15-16 and the BOK Center in Tulsa, this season’s National College Wrestling Duals could change the entire landscape of this sport. Thanks to the backing of Paycom founder Chad Richison, a prize purse has been compiled that would put it among most of the significant events in sport for the very first time on the college wrestling radar.

At the very epicenter of this extremely huge event will be head Oklahoma State Cowboys wrestling coach David Taylor-who has well exceeded feeling excited but also fully investing into this era now for his sport. Taylor views the tournament as more than an event where teams can compete but an avenue to reinvigorate the fan base, bring in an influx of fresh energy into college wrestling, and a much-needed windfall for nationwide programs. With Oklahoma State hosting and a significant cash prize available, the stakes have never been higher.

Why this event matters in collegiate wrestling

On the other hand, David Taylor couldn’t hide his enthusiasm for the National College Wrestling Duals. You just have to hear him talk about it to understand that he’s not looking at this as any wrestling tournament. This is bigger. “This is an Invitational, but it’s about putting a spotlight on college wrestling, getting people excited, and giving programs a chance to earn substantial funding,” said Taylor, and boy, is he right.

It will highlight the top 16 teams. The event promises to bless each of the teams with $20,000 in appearance fees, with teams having a further opportunity to tuck even bigger cash prizes by competing and placing. Starting with a handsome amount of prizes, the big winner will see $200,000; second-best takes home with $150,000. Though these come down the food chain, all is well, and a good chunk of change has been thrown together as a prize heap.

But it’s not just about the money. Taylor sees this as a catalyst for the sport. “College wrestling has gotten a little stagnant,” he admitted, but this event, in his eyes, could be exactly what’s needed to bring back the buzz.

The influx of money and attention will hopefully begin to spur fans and programs alike to climb back on the horse, feeding excitement not only to the competing athletes but to all associated with wrestling as a whole. It’s about creating that one annual event fans can look forward to, the one chance teams have to come together and compete and show off their skills early in the season. If this tournament morphs into the kind of pageantry everyone aspires for, then it very well could spark a new beginning for wrestling.

Chad Richison’s legacy of support

None of that would have been possible without the financial muscle of Paycom founder Chad Richison. Richison has been a wrestling advocate for years, but this is by far his biggest play. The National College Wrestling Duals simply wouldn’t have happened without the vision and the huge investment he’s made in the sport.

From supporting Oklahoma State’s wrestling programs to donating millions to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Richison has proved that he is not all talk.

“The man has done so much for wrestling in Oklahoma,” Taylor said, and he’s not exaggerating. Richison’s commitment goes far beyond writing checks. His work has upgraded facilities, bolstered coaching, and financed athletes on the Olympic level down to the youth levels. And now his newest gift—a seven-figure purse for one event—could alter the landscape of college wrestling.

Richison is not in wrestling just to put figures on paper; he wants the sport to be built over the long run by giving every resource necessary for every wrestling program to be successful nationwide. It also isn’t as though Oklahoma State stands to gain all that much, for indeed it will, from his generosity: The wrestling world is one bound to profit at large, especially since his passion and influence remain high-octane factors that have given it some life in this generation.

David Taylor has made his feelings on the $1 million National College Wrestling Duals pretty clear: It’s a game-changer for college wrestling, and it very well could be the difference-maker. With Paycom’s Chad Richison leading the charge, the sport is about to get a shot in the arm – both financially and in terms of fan interest. If Taylor’s vision materializes, this could be the staple of the wrestling calendar: a high-energy, high-stakes kickoff to the season that fans and teams alike will look forward to.

The countdown to November is already on, and wrestling fans are ready for something they have never seen.