Just a few short years ago athletic departments were ready to stick a fork in college wrestling. NCAA programs were being cut and words like Title IX and demise were being used a lot more than words like growth and vibrancy when people talked about college wrestling. But as the DI programs were cut, schools in the NAIA and NCAA DII and DIII levels found ways to expand. At one time the NAIA had just 18 programs and many were thinking the sport might be dropped as a nationally sponsored sport.

Fast forward to 2009 and the NAIA has nearly doubled as 32 of the NAIA's 35 teams qualified wrestlers for the national tournament. Judging from the excitement and crowd at Abe Lemons Arena, wrestling has never been more alive than it is right now in the NAIA.

Millions of Dollars to be Spent in OKC

Approximately 300 wrestlers - along with their coaches, families and fans - are expected to attend the tournament at Oklahoma City University from March 5-7. The Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau, which is helping promote the event, estimates that about 12,000 spectators will come to the tournament, about 80 percent of them from out of town.

When the fans are tired after screaming for their favorite wrestler, they'll need a place to sleep. And all that energy it takes to win a match needs to be replenished with a meal. Based on the anticipated crowd numbers, the estimated direct spending because of the event will be somewhere around $2.1 million. The economic impact for the city will end up as a double bonus - OCU has been selected to host the tournament again next year.

Coverage of the NAIA Wrestling Championship continues from Oklahoma City.  Photo updates are being made to the College Fanz web site as well as to our podcast below.  Check back for more coverage throughout the tourney.  

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