Athletic Director Dan Harris is working to create his legacy at Baker University and believes he has found part of it in the sport of wrestling.
While wrestling is now an official program at Baker, competition will not start until next fall. Harris is working closely with one of the newest members of Baker’s faculty, head wrestling coach Jimmy May, to prepare for the season.
May was chosen from 85 applicants and has been on campus since Sept 1. May graduated from the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Mo., where he wrestled as a two-time All-American and was inducted into the UCM Wrestling Hall of Fame. He went on to coach at the high school level in Nevada, where his team won 12 state championships in a row.
“He is a true wrestling coach,” Harris said.
Harris said the key to growing the program over the next few years will be care with scheduling. Lindenwood University and Missouri Valley College of the Heart of America Athletic Conference already have men’s wrestling teams, though in wrestling Baker will not compete based on the HAAC. There are four regions of wrestling competition within the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics: East, West, North and Central. Lindenwood competes in the East Region and Baker will be competing in the Central Region. The Central Region will consist of nine teams, including Missouri Valley.
About 30 wrestlers will be among the students who call Baker home next year. Plus, 10 weight classes will be available, which range from 125 pounds to 285 pounds.
Some students who already attend Baker may be on the team, but most will be new recruits. One of May’s biggest challenges will be recruiting quality student athletes.
“Wrestling seems to have that type of kid though, because of the dedication it takes to be a wrestler,” May said. “Usually they’re pretty good students, too.”
Freshman Adam Lackey is one Baker student planning on being on the team in the fall. He wrestled at his high school, which didn’t have a wrestling program until his freshman year.
“Being under coach May is simply an honor,” Lackey said. “I know that I’ll be able to learn from him in every aspect of my wrestling. He will push everyone around him to not only do their best, but to be better than that.”
Lackey began wrestling in the fourth grade and is excited Baker is adding the new sport. He believes it will open more people’s eyes to the university and educate students about wrestling.
Harris and May plan to recruit a mix of freshmen, transfers from junior colleges and transfers from four-year colleges to be distributed throughout the weight classes. May said the Midwest seems to be a “hotbed” for wrestling. A lot of his recruiting efforts will focus on surrounding states such as Oklahoma, Colorado, Iowa and Missouri.
The wrestlers will practice in Mabee Gym along with the several other sports that practice there. May said Baker really needs a wrestling room; in the mean time, however, the university will be purchasing two mats for the team at about $10,000 each.
May said starting from scratch is a challenge but believes if he does his job right, Baker should be able to compete with some of the top wrestling schools in the next two or three years.