Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, (commonly abbreviated as SIUE), is a coeducational, public doctoral/professional university in Edwardsville, Illinois, United States about northeast of St. Louis, Missouri. SIUE was established in 1957 as an extension of Southern Illinois University Carbondale. It is the younger of the two major institutions of Southern Illinois University system, and as of 2018, has the largest enrollment within the system. The University offers graduate programs through its Graduate School.
SIU Edwardsville Cougars wrestling
Larry Kristoff, a two-time NCAA College Division (now Division II) champion at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and member of the U.S. National and Olympic wrestling teams was hired in 1969 to start the SIUE wrestling program. To accomplish this, he had no athletic facilities, no scholarships, and almost no budget. Practices were held in hallways of the Peck Classroom Building (now known as Peck Hall) and the University Center (now known as the Morris University Center). Home meets were held in the Meridian Ballroom in the University Center. Despite these drawbacks, by the time the SIU Board of Trustees authorized the awarding of athletic scholarships in 1973, Kristoff's teams had built a dual meet record of 25–7–2, and two wrestlers had won All-American status.