Sports represent intense passion, hence, when institutions discontinue sports programs, it hits home. Unfortunately, that is exactly what has transpired at Cleveland State University. On January 23rd this year, the authorities announced that they would drop wrestling, women’s golf, and softball owing to financial constraints. The decision is not a standalone one, it is, “part of a strategic effort, which began in 2023, to address budgetary shortfalls across the University.” Despite promising to shell out athletic financial aid to all the student-athletes while in CSU, and giving the green signal to keep the proportional athletics participation opportunities going, discontent has been brewing and spilling over social media.
37 wrestlers from CSU, coached under Josh Moore, are dissatisfied. Most of them have come together to protest against the decision and want the institution to reverse its decision. They have taken to social media to mobilize and voice their discontent. “Save Cleveland State Wrestling” is an X account created in February 2025 to condemn the decision to discontinue CSU wrestling.“With no notice or explanation, @CLE_State administrators are axing our championship wrestling program. Our school has also tried to silence wrestlers and coaches. But our community deserves to hear from them why CSU wrestling is standing tall and ought to be restored.”, posted the account recently. And that’s not all. More wrestlers have been coming up with their voices raised against the decision.
Voicing frustrations, CSU wrestler Joey Lyons, also made some shocking claims. He stated, “It’s crazy that, you know, they don’t want to let us speak our mind, I, you know, because you have a right to free speech, and we should be able to talk about this and express our emotions and tell people, you know.” Well, the CSU wrestling team is doing everything to get its voice across and make sure it’s heard.
“I think it’s kind of a travesty,” team captain Joey Lyons says of the administration’s actions. Not only do he and his teammates have every right to speak their mind, Cleveland deserves to know what a tragic loss this would be for our city. pic.twitter.com/EodOISAj4x
— Save Cleveland State Wrestling (@SaveCSUWrstling) February 25, 2025
Take Xander Myers for example. The freshman wrestler pointed out that the meeting they had was a brief one. With just a couple of administrators present, the team was promised further explanation. Unfortunately, despite a significant time has passed, the promises have not been fulfilled yet. Another freshman, Steven Duffy confessed that he could not believe the news initially. He even thought that it was some kind of a joke being played on them.
However, when he did realize the gravity of the situation, Duffy had an entirely different point of view. “I went to bed just wanting to throw up that night,” Duffy said. “Just utterly disgusted.” Surprisingly, as all the chaos has taken center stage, this is not the only time such an incident has gone down at the CSU. In fact, just a decade back, the decision to cut off wrestling was overturned by the students!
History repeats? CSU wrestlers aim to fight with Stipe Miocic in their corner
In 2015, Cleveland State wrestling was on the brink of extinction. The school had cut the program to add lacrosse as a replacement, citing the “program prioritization process”. The decision sent shockwaves through the team and its supporters. But the wrestlers fought back. Students rallied, voting to increase their fees to fund the sport, and the university ultimately reversed its decision. Now that history is repeating itself, and CSU wrestlers are hoping for the same outcome.
And amid such a scenario, wrestler Joey Lyons, determined to mount a case for saving the team, launched a GoFundMe campaign. His effort gained traction when the program’s most famous alum, UFC legend Stipe Miocic, voiced his outrage. Taking to his X handle, Miocic posted, “I’m sick to my stomach and heartbroken for these young men and coaches”. The UFC star further added, “I hope there’s still time to make a difference and save this incredible program.” These words coming from a veteran athlete gave the team renewed hope.
Reflecting on the same, Lyons added, “It’s awesome”. The wrestler further continued, “To have a guy of that caliber, with that kind of platform and to use that platform for us, it’s astounding.” With alumni and supporters rallying behind them, Lyons and his teammates believe they can achieve what the 2015 squad did. Moreover, they convinced the administration to reverse course once again.
While the upcoming 2026 NCAA Wrestling Championships in Cleveland will proceed unaffected, cutting the program just as the city prepares to host the sport’s biggest stage sends a mixed message. Lyons remains optimistic, saying alumni have assured the team that strong efforts are being made behind the scenes. “We were basically told that there’s a lot of confidence that we’re going to be able to get this thing reinstated and that we should just focus on wrestling and keep grinding right now”, shared Lyons.
With history as their blueprint and Miocic as their vocal ally, CSU wrestlers are hoping that, just like in 2015, persistence will pay off.
The post Frustrations Rise Against Cleveland Wrestling After High School Star Make Alarming Accusations Against Management appeared first on EssentiallySports.