Shorter moves to discontinue wrestling

Shorter University recently announced plans to discontinue its wrestling program at the end of the 2017 spring semester.

“The decision to discontinue our wrestling program was a difficult one that was made only after considering many other alternatives,” said Corey Humphries, Vice President of Student Affairs.

Shorter added wrestling as its 21st varsity sport in Fall 2010. At that time, the program was heralded as the only intercollegiate wrestling program available in Georgia.

“The lack of nearby competition has proven to be a challenge,” said Aaron Kelton, Shorter’s interim athletic director. “In NCAA Division II, only one other program now exists in Georgia with two in North Carolina, three in South Carolina and one in Tennessee.

“This means our wrestlers have to travel to places as distant as Pennsylvania and Ohio for competitions, increasing costs and time missed out of classes.”

Due to the program being discontinued, all Shorter wrestlers will be given a release to discuss transfer opportunities at other institutions, and they would be eligible to compete in wrestling at other Division II colleges and universities next semester, provided their academic performance is satisfactory, Kelton said.

Shorter’s athletic program will notify other NCAA Division II member institutions of this action so that they may consider Shorter wrestlers for recruiting purposes, he added.

“Shorter University and our athletic department will work with these studentathletes should they wish to continue wrestling at another institution,” Kelton said. “These are fine young men who are good students and good athletes, and we will do all in our power to assist them in this transition.”