via WHO-TV.com
Many parts of America have received their first frost of the year; there is snow on the ground for some and a nip in the air for most, which means the beginning of the college wrestling season is upon us. Fans like myself, who keep their DVRs set to record any wrestling that is aired, received a treat for the opening of the competition year: an outdoor match between the sport’s top two programs at Iowa’s Kinnick Stadium. And for those without a DVR or cable subscription, there is good news for you as well, because America’s leaders in college wrestling continue to energize the sport through technological innovation and creativity.
Oklahoma State, the most storied collegiate wrestling program in the nation, enters its 100th season with a bang, taking part in two ground-breaking events in the world of not just wrestling, but athletic department administration in general. The first accomplishment is partnering with the premier provider of online wrestling content, FloWrestling, to stream all of the Cowboys’ home matches through the site’s FloPro platform. Whereas in the past watching a given team was left to the decision-makers at particular networks, now Oklahoma State fans can watch every home match online. While not the Notre Dame/NBC-like partnership that wrestling fans would like to see, the move marks a substantial shift in making wrestling more accessible to the masses living outside Stillwater.
Both parties are understandably enthused about the arrangement, as Oklahoma State gets the opportunity to expand its already-considerable influence in the world of NCAA wrestling, and FloWrestling can market itself as the online provider of content related to the most elite program in the nation, winner of a staggering 34 national championships in 100 seasons. Says FloWrestling editor, Willie Saylor, “Oklahoma State represents wrestling at it’s finest. Its brand is international, and its history of success rivals that in any sport, professional or collegiate. It’s a true dynasty that’s story is still being told.”
Oklahoma State’s wrestling administration was not content with just having a number one preseason ranking and major online distribution deal to start the season, but also participated in the largest dual meet in history with rival Iowa to kick off its schedule. In the Grapple on the Gridiron, which took place on November 14th, over 42,000 fans came out to watch the Cowboys wrestle the Hawkeyes in open-air Kinnick Stadium. An event six years in the making according to Iowa head coach Tom Brands, the meet shattered the previous attendance record for an NCAA dual meet of 16,000 and was broadcast on the Big Ten network and through its associated streaming platform.
via FloWrestling.com
Earlier this year, I wrote that wrestling, despite historic firsts, continued to take hits to its base because of schools shuttering programs. The good news is that the greats in the sport are dedicated to helping wrestling expand through new and novel means. By using 21st century technology to stream amazing content and generating excitement throughout fanbases by thinking outside the box, Iowa and Oklahoma State wrestling programs are doing things that all collegiate sports, not just wrestling, should notice and potentially implement. Perhaps that is partially why they’re two of the nation’s finest programs, regardless of sport.
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