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Effner replacement search under way

By Francis X. Bova III

The search for Cleveland State’s next wrestling coach is under way, according to Athletic Director Lee Reed.
After 10-year coach Jack Effner’s resignation, the Vikings began a nationwide search.
“I wish Coach Effner nothing but the best,” Reed said. “He is a man of integrity, and he was great to work with.”
The athletic department hopes to hire his replacement before the fall semester starts in August, Reed said.
“We are seeing great interest in the position,” Reed said, “because our program has great potential.”
During Effner’s tenure, CSU sent 37 wrestlers to the NCAA Championships. After his resignation, effective August 2nd, will accept a school counseling position in Virginia, according to www.csuvikings.com.
“I really appreciate the opportunity that Cleveland State gave me 10 years ago and I will look back on this time with a lot of great memories,” Effner said in a news release. “My time at Cleveland State has been a real good experience for me and my family, but it just felt like it was time for me to travel a different path.”
While at CSU, Effner coached his two sons, Jason and Marcus. In addition, the Vikings continued its 43-year streak of sending a wrestler to the NCAA Championships.
The streak started with coach Dick Bonacci, who coached for 36 years before Effner started during the 1998-99 year.
Meanwhile, most Vikings wrestlers are away for the summer. Until a replacement is named, assistant Anthony Coleman is keeping an eye on wrestlers that stuck around throughout the summer, Reed said.

Viking power
After the women’s basketball team’s successful run to the NCAA Tournament in March, the national spotlight continues to burn bright.
The Vikings were selected to participate in the Preseason Women’s National Invitational. The invite marks the first time the women’s program will participate. The three-game guarantee tournament features big-time programs like North Carolina, Xavier University and Oklahoma to name a few.
“Out of all the NCAA women’s teams they only pick 16,” Reed said. “They usually only pick up-and-coming programs and we are one of those.”
The Vikings finished the 2007-08 season with a 19-14 record and won their first-ever Horizon League championship.
The tournament starts at 8 p.m. on Nov. 14 at Arizona State.

Reach this Stater reporter at
f.bova@csuohio.edu