Wrestling Network Opens First CT Chapter at SHU

Wrestlers in Business Network aims to provide wrestlers with the skills needed to succeed in the professional world

For all college students, the end goal of education is employment, and for student-athletes, those who aren’t continuing their sport, this goal is further amplified. Today, who you know is just as important as what you know. No one understands this concept better than Mike Moyer, executive director of the National Wrestling Coaches Association, who recently spoke at Sacred Heart University to announce the opening of a Wrestlers in Business Network (WIBN) chapter in Connecticut.

The WIBN seeks to provide college wrestlers with the necessary skills and connections to succeed in the professional world. This includes resumé workshops and an online job board for students to find careers.

The event was a night of networking and community building, a major milestone for the future of the chapter. In addition to Moyer, SHU’s wrestling coaches were in attendance along with former Olympic gold-medal winning wrestler and legendary Oklahoma State University coach, John W. Smith.

The career network has over 25 chapters in 20 different states nationwide and is incredibly excited to make its way to the northeast. “The potential this region has is exactly what we were looking for when thinking of expansion, and to kick it off at a school like Sacred Heart is a dream come true,” said Moyer. “As someone who works with collegiate wrestling coaches, this University has some great coaches, and we’re excited to work with them,” he added.

Moyer, a former wrestler, has become an incredible advocate for providing wrestlers from all walks of life with an incredible toolkit for their futures. “I see it as a special service to give wrestlers a leg up in the professional world,” he said. “I’m thrilled to see the level of involvement we’ve had, especially from former wrestlers who are passionate about giving back to the next generation.”  
 
SHU men’s wrestling coach, John Clark, was excited about the potential for his team and the athletes he works closest with. “The WIBN will give our guys a service dedicated to seeing them succeed, they work so hard day in and day out, no group deserves it more,” he said. “I just wish my guys could be here tonight to see the work being done behind the scenes for them,” he added.

SHU women’s wrestling coach, Paulina Biega, shared Clark’s excitement about the potential this network offers. “It was a great night of bringing our local wrestling community together. Wrestling provides a family like no other sport and this event was a proof of that,” she said. “We want our athletes to succeed on and off the mat and WIBN provides support for exactly that. Giving our athletes chances to be exposed to big companies and providing them with a great networking opportunities is incredible.”

The first chapter meeting concluded with a speech from the two-time gold medal-winning hall-of-fame wrestler and former coach.

Smith echoed the words of Moyer on the WIBN’s importance to student-athletes, adding, “It’s now on us, the former wrestlers and current coaches, it’s our time to give back to this sport that gave us so much and commit to seeing the future generations succeed.”

Smith’s speech closed the book with a very successful first-chapter meeting. The chapter will provide services for college wrestlers around the state of Connecticut, as well as host future meetings and workshops. For SHU’s wrestling coaches in attendance, it was an inspiring night, motivating them to get their students involved to help pave the way for their bright futures.

To learn more about the CT chapter of WIBN, contact Steve Feye at steven.feye@gmail.com.

Photo: From left are Paulina Biega, SHU women's wrestling head coach, Olympic gold medalist John W. Smith and John Clark, SHU men's wrestling head coach.