NJRTC / SKWC question!

[Chickadee34]

I know it’s been asked before but for us new RU wrestling fans can someone explain to me the importance of these two clubs? How does it work and why do we share with Princeton? Aren’t we supposed to hate our in state rivals?

 

[Richie O]

@Lex Knapp @SKWC

 

[MS-RU]

Others will most certainly do a better job explaining all the details but essentially RTCs exist to help athletes train for the Olympics, World Teams, etc without relocating to Colorado Springs where USA wrestling is located. They are typically near colleges since that's where the overwhelming majority of the athletes come from since many of the athletes are still in colleges all around the country. Without it college wrestling wouldnt exist in it's current form.

With that being said, they are not funded by the University in any capacity so in order to maximize the potential and the level of support needed to attract top tier wrestles (e.g. Gaff, Downey, AA, etc) we partnered with Princeton. This is huge because it basically doubles the level of support and commitment, so NJ wrestling benefits tremendously. Without the partnership, this current level of success would not be possible.

SKWC is basically the RU arm of this operation, which sponsors athletes to live and train at the RTC which obviously benefits RU Wrestling greatly since our athletes get to wrestle with some of the best in the world every day.

You can see how having a top tier RTC helps tremendously with recruiting and how not having one puts any program at a severe disadvantage. Since it's not funded by RU its important that properly funding the SKWC is of the utmost importance to the future success of RU wrestling.

 

[SKWC]

The SKWC pays staff that Rutgers can’t or doesn’t pay. This includes Tyler Graff, Patrick Downey, Anthony Ashnault, Kyle Kiss, and partially pays Joe Pollard and Reece Humphrey.

Graff finished # 5 in the World and Downey #9. Ashnault was # 3 in the USA and on the national team. Graff can train with out lightweights, Ashnault with our middle weights, and Downey with our upper weights. These world class athletes are critical to recruiting the best kids in the country.

Reece Humphrey a three time World Team member and place winner coaches the NJRTC. Without the financial support of Princeton we wouldn’t be able to hire Reece. So one day a year, we cheer against Princeton. The rest of the time we are partners. It is unbelievable how well the Princeton and Rutgers coaches work together.

Kyke Kiss is the Rutgers recruiting director and is paid 100% by the SKWC. Joe Pollard is the director of Wrestling Operations, runs the youth club, and has been on staff for 9 years. Joe has had a tremendous impact on our success. Joe’s salary is shared with Rutgers.

If possible, please support the SKWC as we would not be where we are if a great partnership didn’t exist between RU and the SKWC.

www.scarletknightswrestlingclub.com.

To receive the SKWC newsletter, please email: Kyke Kiss at [email protected]