The Fresno State wrestling program is under investigation after internal reports surfaced that a stripper danced at a party last year that involved recruits visiting the university, Fresno State confirmed to The Sun Wednesday.
Fresno State is looking into the allegation and is currently working with the NCAA as part of the investigation.
“Fresno State Athletics is aware of allegations about the wrestling program and is following all CSU and campus policies in conjunction with university administration, the Big 12 Conference and the NCAA,” said Athletics Director Terry Tumey in a statement.
“Fresno State takes all allegations of misconduct seriously and, as such, a thorough investigation into all aspects of the wrestling program was initiated immediately upon learning of these allegations. At this time, the investigation is on-going and, therefore, we are not able to make any additional comments at this time.”
If the allegations prove to be true, Fresno State could potentially be in violation of several University and NCAA rules.
According to Fresno State’s student-athlete handbook, prohibited activities for recruits on official visits include sexual misconduct, use of “Adult Entertainment” services or facilities of any kind, entertainment that is excessive or not on a scale comparable to that of normal student life and any other behavior that is illegal, inappropriate or results in embarrassment to Fresno State, its athletic programs, its student-athletes or its prospective student-athletes.
Individuals involved with collegiate athletics hiring strippers for student-athletes and recruits is not a foreign concept to the NCAA.
The most recent and notable incident came from the University of Louisville in 2015 when allegations came out that a basketball employee had hired strippers and escorts for the players and recruits.
That incident, among others, sent head basketball coach Rick Pitino and Athletics Director Tom Jurich packing.
Fresno State wrestling was reinstated in 2015 and took to the mat at the Save Mart Center in 2017 for the first time since 2006, when the program was cut in 2006 for financial reasons.
Head coach Troy Steiner was hired in 2016 to lead the resurrected program and in three seasons has compiled a 22-35 overall record.
Since reinstatement, the program has proven to be one of the most popular in the country. Fresno State ranked fifth in national attendance in the 2017-2018 season and ninth the last two years.
The Bulldogs drew an average home crowd of 2,596 in 2019-2020.
Photo: Fresno State Athletics
