Northern Michigan University is discontinuing its National Training Site program for Greco-Roman wrestling, effective June 30, 2027. Athletes were notified via email Friday morning.

Greco-Roman wrestling was introduced at NMU in 1999 and has since produced tremendous success at the national and international level. The 2025-26 team, led by head coach Andy Bisek, included 33 athletes. Bisek, an Olympian and two-time world medalist, was named USA Wrestling Coach of the Year in 2025, while NMU's Payton Jacobson earned USA Wrestling Athlete of the Year honors the same year.

Greco-Roman wrestling is the only active program at Northern's Olympic Training Center, which was designated as an Olympic Training Center in 1985 and has hosted 29 sports on a short-term or long-term basis over the years. The future of the training site is now in question with the termination of the Greco-Roman program.

Several notable wrestlers and coaches weighed in on the announcement, including Olympic Greco-Roman champion Rulon Gardner.

"It's another slap in the face for Greco-Roman wrestling," Gardner wrote on social media. "USA Wrestling, the national governing body of wrestling, has an agenda that I cannot even comprehend. Northern Michigan University has decided to cut their Greco-Roman wrestling program. Having gone to Northern Michigan University and seeing the development of the Greco Roman wrestlers there. I feel that this is injustice to a sport. Share and express support for the Northern Michigan University Greco Roman wrestling program. Let's fight to save this one Greco. I shared my opinions. I was told to mind my own business. The purpose for USA Wrestling is to promote wrestling. I won't sit and say nothing not when it comes to a sport that you dedicated half of your life to."

Below is the full letter sent to athletes from NMU athletic director Rick Comley:

"As the higher education landscape continues to evolve and institutions navigate increasing resource constraints, we have determined that this is the appropriate time to transition away from our support of the National Training Site program for Greco-Roman Wrestling. The relationship with USA Wrestling and NMU will terminate on June 30, 2027.

We appreciate the contributions of the many athletes and coaches who have been part of the Greco Roman Wrestling program. Your dedication and impact have been meaningful to our institution.

In the coming weeks, we will provide additional information to help guide you through this transition. We are committed to honoring existing National Training Site scholarship agreements, ensuring that current student-athletes may continue under the current terms and conditions as they work toward completing their degree at NMU, for up to 10 semesters.

Due to the timing of this notice, I would like to plan a team meeting the first week of the upcoming academic semester in August when everyone is back on campus to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
Sincerely,

Rick Comley"

A petition has been started in an attempt to reverse the decision.