NIU, Grant Agree to 3-Year Extension

[admin]

Grant has coached wrestlers to All-American status six times

DeKALB, Ill. - Northern Illinois and head wrestling coach Dave Grant have agreed to a three-year contract extension, making Grant the leader of the Huskie program through the 2010-11 season, Interim Director of Athletics Robert Collins announced, Wednesday.

"Dave Grant has been here 12 years, and this extension signifies the longevity of our commitment to him, and acknowledges the growth and development of our wrestling program" said Collins, who was the man that hired Grant in 1996.

"Dave has shown we made the right decision then, because over the years, he's proven to be a nationally-recognized head coach," Collins continued. "I'm happy to extend his contract well into the future."

The extension, which has been in the works for several months, ensures Grant will keep his place as Northern Illinois' second-longest-tenured head coach.

"It's an exciting time for Northern Illinois Wrestling," Grant said. "This contract reaffirms the athletic department's commitment to the direction of our program, and I'm grateful for the continued opportunity to develop student-athletes here at NIU."

Since his arrival 1996, Grant has compiled a 108-82-6 record at the helm of a wrestling program that has seen student-athletes make 35 trips to the NCAA Championships, and hoist 18 individual Mid-American Conference Championships. Grant has coached a trio of two-time All-Americans: Jeremy Goeden, Scott Owen and Ben Heizer, who was the 2004 NCAA Runner-Up at 184 pounds.

The cumulative effect of all these individual achievements under Grant has been unprecedented team success. Under Grant, the Huskies have recorded wins over Northwestern, Ohio State, Missouri, Purdue, Wisconsin and Central Michigan. Over the last six years, the team has posted an 82-35-3 (.699) record in dual meets and a 23-7-1 (.758) record in MAC duals, and the Huskies have recorded 10 or more dual meet victories in six of the last seven seasons.

Grant's athletes have also seen success in the classroom. Goeden and Owen were both CoSIDA Academic All-Americans, and Grant has coached four wrestlers who achieved National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Academic Team status. The 2007-08 squad includes 12 NIU Victory/Huskie Scholars and its starting line-up had a 3.1 grade point average.

"Recently, we've been in the top-20 wrestling programs in the country, academically," Grant said. "Our team GPA continues to rise thanks to the hard work of our student-athletes and support staff, and we look forward to further strengthening this cornerstone of our program."

Grant, a former All-American who just wrapped-up his 12th season coaching NIU, has also been instrumental in the relocation and upgrade of NIU's new wrestling room. Set in the footprint of the former Northern Illinois athletics weight room, the room is a 5,000-square-foot area designed to the specifications of Grant and his staff.

"The new wrestling facility and weight room secure Northern Illinois as one of the top wrestling destinations in the region, and further exemplify our administration's commitment to this program," Grant said.

Grant is confident in the direction of his program, with premier facilities to go along with outstanding young talent. Redshirt freshman Pat McLemore won the MAC Championship at 141 pounds, and is one of three NIU freshmen that placed at the conference tournament.

"We had an outstanding freshman class, which will develop into an outstanding sophomore class, and continue the rich tradition of NIU Wrestling," Grant said. "The future here is bright, and all the pieces are in place to take this program to the next level."

The Huskies finished the 2008 season with an 11-7 record, highlighted by two individual MAC Champions, a win over No. 5 Northwestern and three wrestlers totaling nine wins at the NCAA Championships.

[bubbaandsonnyboy]

thats to bad, and he uses student-athlete hahahaha, better turn that around.

[PANKRATION5555]

Originally Posted by bubbaandsonnyboy

thats to bad, and he uses student-athlete hahahaha, better turn that around.

NO SUBSTANCE. Nice. I can't believe a moderator hasn't blocked this dumb comment. That NIU coach's record is pretty good. Give the guy a break.

[Danny Burk]

Im sorry, but thats a direct attack on the people who run this site, and thats wrong. He does a wonderful job trafficking everything that comes through here, and has people that help him out as well. They try to remain unbias and also try to keep things civil. When it gets out of line, it gets removed. Just because someone says something bad about a topic doesnt mean it should be removed. It is a public forum, and people are allowed to express their opinions about each topic. If you dont like, Im sorry, but dont come on this site. Especially if you are going to talk badly about the people who run the site. Thats sad. Like I said - if it gets out of line, and breaks the guidlines of the message boards, it will be removed, no matter who writes it or who its about. In the past 2-3 weeks, there have been about 10 "new" members of the forum who come on here, hiding behind a screenname, write one or two posts, and act like they know everything. (not Amanda...) They have no credibility.
Again - if you dont like it, get off. Find another site. Make your own. But dont rip the people who run this site, just because you disagree with something their family did. Im sorry, but thats immature. This is a great site, and its great for high school wrestling and wrestling in general. Sorry if this comes off a little harsh, but it is wrong to say something like that about such a great site. Mike tries very hard to be unbiased in every situation. Amanda, if you knew half of what hes been going through lately, then you probably would change your tune.

[PANKRATION5555]

Originally Posted by DPBwrestle1

Im sorry, but thats a direct attack on the people who run this site, and thats wrong. He does a wonderful job trafficking everything that comes through here, and has people that help him out as well. They try to remain unbias and also try to keep things civil. When it gets out of line, it gets removed. Just because someone says something bad about a topic doesnt mean it should be removed. It is a public forum, and people are allowed to express their opinions about each topic. If you dont like, Im sorry, but dont come on this site. Especially if you are going to talk badly about the people who run the site. Thats sad. Like I said - if it gets out of line, and breaks the guidlines of the message boards, it will be removed, no matter who writes it or who its about. In the past 2-3 weeks, there have been about 10 "new" members of the forum who come on here, hiding behind a screenname, write one or two posts, and act like they know everything. (not Amanda...) They have no credibility. . . .

is this a wrestling forum, or a political forum? obviously, you're not a forum moderator [THANK GOD], but, if you're the welcoming committee, i'd hate to see what happens after I"m here a while.

dude, does this place want new members that are interested in the illinois wrestling community, or, from the looks of a couple of the other threads on this site, is this a club for people who ONLY share this member's incredibly judgemental, over-inflated, sanctimonious sense of opinion? is this dude one of those people on every board who has to piss on a newbie's pole to let everyone know you're here?

so, is it a leap in logic to think that the other people joined this board, got souflee'd by PBJWRESTLE's astute mind and delicate grasp of the english language, and didn't want to post here anymore to build a reputation? board bullies aren't cool man, and conspiracy theories are for x-files fans.

[Danny Burk]

Hey, you can have whatever opinion you want, but Im not sitting there hiding behind a screename ripping on people just to make myself feel about about my own pathetic life.
Why dont you go start your own forum and see how that works out. Otherwise, post civily on here, and you will be fine.

[admin]

Originally Posted by Amanda Donovan

Unfortunately that is kind of the theme on here. Always has been but has been even worse as of lately. They could change the website to illinoismatmenhatesniu.com It may be more appropriate.

Come on Amanda. Are you serious? I guess I should start censoring opinions that are negative towards NIU. I don't do that for U of I or Northwestern, so why should I do it for NIU? I have posted articles that support both sides and have allowed posts that support both sides. Actually, I have deleted some posts in favor of Duke because they violated the forum rules (name calling).

This story would have come out whether or not I was in charge of Illinois Matmen. There would have been many negative posts towards NIU whether or not I was in charge of Illinois Matmen. Don't blame me for the situation at NIU. That just isn't fair.

[Hans]

Originally Posted by Amanda Donovan

Unfortunately that is kind of the theme on here. Always has been but has been even worse as of lately. They could change the website to illinoismatmenhatesniu.com It may be more appropriate.

This site does not create the opinions that are posted on here. If there are negative posts toward NIU they were not created by matmen. They were created by word of mouth or personal experiences.
Your statement is just not fair!

[Danny Burk]

thank you HANS. Brilliantly said.

[haterindahouse]

Originally Posted by Amanda Donovan

I can't state my opinion? This is how I feel and what I perceive is going on. You can agree to disagree as I knew so many of you would.

A personal attack? I did not call out any one individual by name. I did not attack someone's character. The negative attitude about NIU has been on here for quite some time. Many of the people who log on here know that I am right.

The rules are not enforced consistently, in my opinon. Now, I have to go teach school today. I won't be online all day reading your posts or posting my thoughts because I have a JOB that I will be attending to.

Amanda, I have no problem with people's opinions on this board. Regarding the negative attacks on NIU, I think it is fair to say that we have all read our fair share of attacks on UI, Iowa, NU, any program. You seem to take things way too personal and I understand you may have an "emotional" connection to the staff and wrestlers at NIU however in the business world you can't let emotions make your decision. Grant maybe a good person BUT as a coach he seems like he is no longer the man for the job at NIU as far as taking the program to the next level. Again I give him credit with the success he has brought into the program and to the fans but I do not see it getting better. Some times coaches need to be held accountable for some of the results and actions that take place within their program. As tough and competitive we are as a state in wrestling I have raised my standards with all the colleges expectations. Is there any reason why I shouldn't expect more from Coach Johnson, Coach Grant, Coach Z, Coach Marienetti programs-I don't think so.