Eastern University is currently searching for a Director of Men’s and Women’s Wrestling with the intention of competing in the NCAA’s Middle Atlantic Conference in both sports in 2026-27.

Athletic Director Eric McNelley said that the goal is to hire a director as soon as possible, as well as a pair of full-time assistants in in 2025-26 to give the programs a chance to recruit and build in advance of their opening seasons.

Eastern Athletics has had a precedent for early success in new programs, as the football team won five MAC games in just its second season this past fall.

“I am excited to announce the launch of men’s and women’s wrestling,” said McNelley. “We are eager to find a Director of Wrestling that can start these programs from the ground floor and build programs that can compete in a competitive MAC. With the rich talent in the state of Pennsylvania as our foundation, we are confident we can hit the ground running in the sport by offering a Christ-centered education just outside the city of Philadelphia. The addition of men’s and women’s wrestling enhances our ability to recruit student-athletes from all over the United States to join our diverse community.”

With other new programs announced, the MAC is slated to have 10 men’s wrestling programs and seven women’s programs when the Eagles begin to compete in the late fall of 2026. More than 100 high schools in Pennsylvania offer girls’ wrestling, and the sport was recently sanctioned by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association. Pennsylvania has nearly 500 boys’ wrestling programs.

Eastern has some history with men’s wrestling before the university became affiliated with the NCAA. The school sponsored the sport for a period starting in 1965 and again for a short period beginning in 1985.

MAC schools compete in the NCAA Division III Southeast Regional for men’s wrestling. Women’s wrestling is an NCAA emerging sport and will likely have Division III National Championships in place when or shortly after Eastern begins competition.

“With the addition of men’s and women’s wrestling, Eastern is enhancing the competitive landscape of our conference while also underscoring our commitment to fostering inclusivity and supporting the growth of women’s sports,” said Megan Morrison, the MAC’s Executive Director.

Eastern added football in 2022 and flag football for women this year. The addition of the two wrestling programs will bring Eastern’s total sport sponsorship to 25 teams. Learn more about Eastern University Athletics.

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