USA Wrestling Announces Women’s College Growth Fund

USA Wrestling Press Release

Aug 3, 2026, 10:28 AM EDT
by Richard Immel, USA Wrestling

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Wrestling is now taking applications for its newly established Women’s College Growth Fund—a landmark program designed to provide strategic investment in the growth and sustainability of women’s college wrestling.

The Women’s College Growth Fund will support up to four NCAA Div. I women’s college club wrestling coaches for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons with annual stipends of up to $5,000 each.

This $40,000 investment is a joint effort between USA Wrestling, Greg Strobel Leadership Academy, and private donors to supplement the annual pay received by women’s college club coaches who are actively elevating women’s wrestling at their institutions and driving the sport forward at the collegiate level.

The Women’s College Growth Fund is meant to accelerate progress of women’s collegiate wrestling, recognize leaders within the community, and invest in coaches who are on the front lines of expanding opportunities for women in wrestling. It is designed as a financial supplement for coaches, not a replacement for institutional financial support.

Eligible candidates interested in applying for the Women’s College Growth Fund program, please email the following items to Katie Kriebel, USA Wrestling’s Manager of Athlete Career Transition & Women’s Inclusion, at kkriebel@usawrestling.org.

Women’s College Growth Fund Application
Application Deadline: August 31, 2026

Proof of a current USA Wrestling leader membership
Documentation verifying employment with a women’s NCAA Div. I college wrestling club team in good standing with the institution
Verification that the school officially recognizes the club
A current club roster of at least 10 female student-athletes
A current freestyle college competition schedule for the school year
Verification of at least one contribution made by the applicant to the club’s fundraising efforts-or a plan for a future fundraising effort
Verification of at least one contribution made by the applicant to the growth of women in officiating (Optional)
Verification of annual stipend or pay through the school or club (This award will match up to $5,000 of annual compensation)
A written statement describing the applicant’s motivation for coaching college women wrestlers
One coach reference who can speak to why investing in the applicant supports the growth of women’s college freestyle wrestling
At least one athlete reference describing how the coach positively impacts the athletes and the team

Other Applicant Considerations

Applicants must be willing to participate in:
1) two USA Wrestling/GSLA leadership development sessions in each year of stipend,
2) USA Wrestling/GSLA promotional content for the program, and
3) GSLA program social media promotion
A committee of USA Wrestling staff and volunteers will evaluate each submission holistically, with emphasis on demonstrated program impact, institutional support, fundraising involvement, references, and applicant vision for program growth
All application factors being equal, preference will be given to women coaches
Applications will be evaluated, and stipend recipients selected, in September 2026
Stipends will be distributed by October 2026 to recipients
Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee receipt of a stipend

For additional questions about the Women’s College Growth Fund, please email kkriebel@usawrestling.org.