ISU is a Wrestling Institution

While the Big 12 (and the Big 8 before it) is prominent in collegiate wrestling, it's suffered along with many conferences as they sport has been eliminated at many schools due to budget constraints. That's not the case in the Big Ten - where wrestling is as vibrant and important as ever.

Iowa State is one of the most prominent wrestling institutions in our country. We have won multiple national titles, matriculated the two most successful collegiate wrestlers (see earlier post on ISU alumni in the Big Ten) of all time, and are a historic partner and rival of the Hawkeye wrestling program.

If the Big 12 disbands and ISU joins a conference other than the Big Ten it's likely the sport may need to be cut which will hurt wrestling nationally thus diminishing a proud tradition of the Big Ten.

* If revenues dip due to joining a non-BCS league Iowa State have to cut some programs - it may not be wrestling but it will have to be a mens sport due to Title 9. Also, there aren't that many wrestling leagues any more so Iowa State would have to find a secondary league to wrestle in.