ONU Brings Wrestling Back to the Mat

University restarts wrestling program for men and women athletes

by Lauren Beatty

Bourbonnais, IL (11/09/2026) — Wrestling is coming back to the mat at Olivet Nazarene University. On November 4, the Department of Athletics announced to the campus community that the University had formalized a commitment to add the sport of wrestling to Olivet's 21 other varsity intercollegiate sports. The men and women will compete through the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

"Wrestling is an exciting addition to Olivet Nazarene University because it allows us to expand our opportunities for student-athletes while continuing to build on the strong tradition of athletic excellence that exists at ONU," says Athletic Director, Luke Ward '09.

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions will soon be recruiting talented players for the inaugural teams, and scholarships will be offered to qualified candidates. Ideally, the fall 2027 team rosters will include 12 men and 12 women athletes.

"At Olivet, we're looking for student-athletes who understand that their college experience is about more than what happens in competition," Ward says. "We want young men and women who are driven, coachable, committed to personal growth, and willing to be part of something bigger than themselves. We want student-athletes who will embrace the opportunity to grow in their faith, pursue academic excellence, and represent the university with pride. They don't have to have everything figured out when they arrive on campus, but they should have a willingness to learn, grow, and invest in the people around them."

The men athletes will compete in folkstyle wrestling and women will compete in freestyle, per collegiate standards. The NAIA wrestling season for both genders runs from the end October through early February, and is considered a winter sport.

There are currently more than 65 NAIA programs for men's wrestling and more than 40 for women's wrestling, so competition will be plentiful. In Illinois, there are a multitude of competitive high school programs, and the state consistently produces collegiate-level wrestlers through those channels. As a high-performing athletic program per conference and national ranking, Olivet stands to develop a strong wrestling program.

Ward explains. "I believe what sets Olivet apart is the combination of a strong athletic tradition, quality facilities, dedicated coaches, and a campus culture that genuinely values the student-athlete experience. We have outstanding people throughout our athletic department who care deeply about developing young people, not just winning games or matches. Our coaches understand the importance of building relationships, creating a positive team culture, and helping student-athletes reach their full potential."

Olivet previously had a distinguished wrestling program from 1972-1993. In 1987, 1988 and 1989 the University claimed the National Christian College Athletic Association national championships.

The Department of Athletics will begin the search for a head coach this winter and anticipates hiring in early 2027.

To learn more about ONU Athletics contact Luke Ward, athletic director, at lward1@olivet.edu.

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