Community Rallies Behind Bloomsburg Wrestling, Raising $350,000 for Scholarships and Training Facilities

Thanks to an outpouring of generosity from alumni, local supporters, and the Husky Elite Wrestling Club, the CU-Bloomsburg wrestling program has gained significant momentum, with more than $350,000 raised over the past year. 

These contributions bring Bloomsburg Wrestling closer to its goal of $500,000 to name the Houk/Sanders Wrestling Room. The renovated facility will serve as a tribute to the legacy of wrestling greats Russ Houk and Roger Sanders—while also providing scholarships to recruit and support the next generation of Huskies. This incredible effort ensures that Bloomsburg Wrestling continues to build toward excelling as a competitive Division I collegiate program.

Russ Houk, Bloomsburg wrestling coach from 1957 to 1971, was renowned nationally and internationally for his contributions to the sport. During his tenure as head coach, Houk led the Huskies to three NAIA national championships and five Pennsylvania Conference titles, earning national "Coach of the Year" honors three times. Over 14 years, his teams achieved an impressive record of 142-34-4. 

Roger Sanders, who passed away in December 2024, was the all-time winningest coach in Bloomsburg Wrestling history. From 1972 to 1993, he amassed a 250-104-8 record. He led the Huskies to multiple championships and coached eight All-Americans to 13 NCAA Division I finishes.

Under head coach John Stutzman’s leadership and recruiting efforts, the Huskies are building a strong foundation for future success. The freshman class of 2025 includes 34 wrestlers, 14 from Pennsylvania and 18 from surrounding states. Additionally, the program welcomed three mid-year transfers: Kade Kluce, Logan Baker, and Nicholas Foster, who add depth and talent to the roster.

“Our donors’ generosity is the backbone of our success,” said Stutzman. “Their investments help us recruit top talent, support our student-athletes’ academic and athletic journeys, and ensure we remain competitive at the highest level. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who steps up to move our program forward. While we’ve made tremendous strides, there is still work ahead to take this program to new heights.”

Several key donors have played a pivotal role in this momentum, with contributions of $25,000 or more from Bob Bartoletti ’70, Bill Garson ’63, Dan Klingerman ’87, Richard ’14 and Gina ’15 Perry, Dennis Siegmann ’68, John and Tracy Supsic ’90, and Tim ’74 and Carol ’74/’78M Wagner—as well as many members and supporters of the Husky Elite Wrestling Club.

The Husky Elite Wrestling Club, founded in 2016, has been instrumental in driving the program’s recent success. The organization is committed to developing exceptional student-athletes by providing advanced training, mentorship, and opportunities that reflect the resilience and discipline wrestling instills.

Anne Barton, a Bloomsburg resident and member of the Husky Elite Wrestling Club’s (HEWC) Board of Directors, shared her passion for the sport and its impact.

“Wrestling builds character and creates opportunities,” said Barton. “Raised by a wrestling coach, I saw firsthand the positive influence wrestling can have. As a board member, I’m proud to strengthen this program and deepen its ties to the Bloomsburg community.”

This resurgence of support is part of The Campaign for Bloomsburg: It Starts With Us, a $100 million comprehensive campaign to enhance the university experience for students, athletes, and the entire Bloomsburg community.

“The momentum behind Bloomsburg Wrestling is a testament to the commitment and passion of our alumni and supporters,” said Dr. Mike McFarland, Bloomsburg’s Director of Athletics. “This support not only impacts our wrestling program but also elevates our entire athletic department and the student-athlete experience. We’re excited to see what the future holds for Bloomsburg Wrestling.”

To further celebrate this momentum, the wrestling program invites alumni and fans to the 2025 Bloomsburg Wrestling Alumni Day on Saturday, February 8, 2025, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM at Nelson Field House. To register for this event, visit: commonwealthu.edu/events/2025-wrestling-alumni-day.

“We’re building something special here, thanks to our incredible alumni, donors, and community members,” said Dennis Siegmann, who is also a member of the HEWC Board of Directors. “We welcome everyone to come out, see the progress, and be part of this exciting journey.”

This remarkable support exemplifies the spirit of The Campaign for Bloomsburg: It Starts With Us, the university’s $100 million comprehensive campaign dedicated to attracting, preparing, and elevating students for lifelong success. With this surge in generosity, the campaign total now stands at $83,451,953—bringing Bloomsburg closer to achieving its ambitious goal.

For more information about supporting Bloomsburg Wrestling, visit giving.bloomu.edu/wrestling, email sulmer@bloomufdn.org, or call 570-389-4059.