Beginning with the 2008-2009 season, Missouri Baptist University, a four-year NAIA evangelical institution, will add women’s wrestling to its national-renowned athletic program.

“The goal for the MBU Women’s Wrestling program will not only be to develop servant leaders and successful student athletes, but also to develop future Olympic athletes,” said Brian Jackson, MBU’s head wrestling coach. “This provides an incredible opportunity for athletes to compete at a higher level on the mat while working toward completing their degree.”

Women’s Wrestling is one of the fastest growing sports in both the United States and the world. It was added to the Olympic Games in 2004 and has been fully included in all programs of USA Wrestling, the sport’s national authority. At the high school level, women’s wrestling has increased at a rate of 10 percent a year. Currently, it is estimated that there are more than 6,000 women wrestlers. The number of colleges, however, offering women’s wrestling is minimal but growing, with few active programs in the United States.

For more information about the MBU women’s wrestling program, please contact Jackson via e-mail at Jackson@mobap.edu or call at 314-744-5317.

About Coach Jackson: Jackson has attained Bronze certification with USA wrestling as a coach for both Olympic Styles of wrestling. He is considered one of the leaders in the state of Missouri in freestyle wrestling, and represents Missouri at both the National Duals and the Junior Nationals as a coach.