Grappling for successes, since 1937

As Penn wrestling coach Zeke Jones likes to say, "Once a Penn wrestler, always a Penn wrestler."

Though most athletic programs would probably claim the same, the Penn wrestling team has a special alumni club that specifically fulfills this goal: the Grapplers' Club.

Over the past weekend the squad hosted a 70th-anniversary celebration of the Grapplers' Club prior to the Cornell-Penn dual meet. Some of Penn's former EIWA-champion wrestlers attended, including Matt Eveleth, last year's 125-pound champion, Clint Matter, who won in 1997, and Clint's younger brother, Brett, a four-time EIWA winner and 2000 NCAA Champion.

Clint Matter is also the current president of the Grapplers' Club, the oldest booster club for a collegiate wrestling team in the nation. Former Penn wrestling coach W. Austin Bishop founded the club in 1937, believing that a wrestling program was about more than just wins and losses.

"He was visionary in all aspects," legendary Penn coach Roger Reina said.

Since 1937, similar clubs have formed, as other schools copied Bishop's idea. Even Penn has adapted the formula to create alumni boards for other sports, according to athletic director Steve Bilsky.

The book Penn Wrestling: A Collegiate Season says that the club was formed to "promote the sport of intercollegiate wrestling at [the University of] Pennsylvania and to encourage good fellowship of those interested therein."

Jones added, "The goal of the Grapplers' Club is to lend support, direction and guidance to Penn wrestling. The camaraderie of wrestling lives on through [the club]."

Upon graduating from the Penn program, wrestlers automatically become part of the club, although their levels of involvement vary.

For Matter, he saw it as his duty to become active. Nine years ago, Reina - who had been his coach - asked him to become president.

"I wouldn't say it's my obligation, but it's something that I want to do," Matter said.

The Grapplers' Club's activities are far-ranging.

"We're event-driven," Reina said. "We have alumni functions when we travel. We recognize certain wrestlers with awards. And of course we also do fundraising, both annual and for the endowment."

The club has recently started a mentoring- and career-service arm, which Jones called its "crown jewel." Reina also believes the Grapplers' Club has been a big help in attracting top high-school wrestlers to Penn.

"It's evident with the Grapplers' Club that we have involved, supportive alumni," said Reina, who holds the Penn record for most career victories as a coach with 205. "I think it has a definite impact on recruits since they know that there's an additional level of support."

This, in turn, has helped the program grow.

"Our goal is to create even more NCAA champions and All-Americans," Matter said. "We want it to be a program that everyone is proud of."

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