Reinhardt Unveils New Wrestling Facility

WALESKA, GA -- Reinhardt University men’s wrestling team is on the rise, with a new wrestling facility being unveiled last week and matches set for later this fall.

Reinhardt held a ribbon cutting Sept. 9 for what was known as the blue gym that has been transformed to the new wrestling room.

The ribbon cutting ceremony involved the Reinhardt University President Dr. Kina Mallard, Tim Norton, vice president for Advancement and Marketing, Athletic Director Bill Popp, members of the Whitworth family and staff from Reinhardt’s Athletic Department.

The team also was present at the event, with Head Coach Jeff Bedard, Assistant Coach Matthew Pitts and Assistant Coach Bob Eddy.

“The space created for the new wrestling team will be well used as the young men begin practicing for their upcoming season,” Popp said. “The response to our wrestling program has been strong with 28 wrestlers joining for the inaugural season. We are thankful to the Brown-Whitworth Foundation for its dedication to Reinhardt University and the generous donation to help make this facility a reality.”

Dalton-based Brown-Whitworth Foundation provided a $250,000 grant that paved the way for the renovations in the Brown Athletic Complex. The renovations included a locker room, wrestling mats and a trainer’s room. Construction began on June 1, and the facility is ready for team preparation and practice.

"Being a brand new program, it is a blessing to have a nice, new facility for our team," Bedard said. "We are very fortunate to have a facility this nice. We are lucky to have an opportunity like this being an inaugural team."

Since the announcement in January that Reinhardt would be adding a wrestling team, in addition to men’s and women’s bowling, the University has been hard at work making the plans reality. The Wrestling Team will hit the mats later this month for practice with competition beginning in November.

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Photo: Pictured, from left, are: Tim Norton, vice president for Advancement & Marketing; Michela Whitworth, Chip Whitworth, Keith Whitworth and Lynn Whitworth, members of the family that gave the $250,000 grant for the renovation project; Head Wrestling Coach Jeff Bedard; RU President Dr. Kina S. Mallard; Assistant Wrestling Coach Matthew Pitts; Assistant Wrestling Coach Bob Eddy; and Athletic Director Bill Popp. Credit: Jeff Reed