Thread by @JoePompliano

Shane Griffith won an NCAA wrestling national championship this past weekend.

The interesting part?

He wore a plain black singlet, refusing to represent Stanford Athletics.

Here's why...

Time for thread 👇👇👇

1) First, some history...

Despite having a ~$30B endowment, Stanford University announced in July that they were eliminating 11 of their 36 sports teams due to “finances and competitive excellence."

As for the wrestling team?

They've decided to fight.

2) Since the decision was announced last July, the Stanford wrestling team has raised more than $12M.

That's enough money to fund the team for multiple decades, but also enough to start a women's program — fulfilling Title IX requirements.

Still, the university has stood firm.

3) When asked why the wrestling team can't continue after the financial issues have been solved, a Stanford official responded:

"I can't give you the answer you're looking for."

So if it's not money, what is it?

It can't be "competitive excellence.”

4) The Stanford wrestling team has produced several Olympians, multiple National Champions, and even a Rhodes Scholar finalist.

They are coming off a historic season, with multiple All-Americans and a National Champion set to return.

"Competitive excellence" is not an issue.

5) When you put financial issues aside & focus on the student-athletes, eliminating the wrestling program is even more concerning.

Since 2006, almost 50% of Stanford Wrestlers have been first-generation college and/or low-income students.

Stanford's overall average?

Just 17%.

6) The Stanford Wrestling program provides ten scholarships to one of the world's premier educational universities.

Dropping a 100-year-old program that raised $12M and just won a national championship only proves one thing:

It was never about the student-athlete.

7) Winning a national title typically brings pride for college athletes & the universities they represent.

It’s a shame that Shane Griffith, his teammates, coaches, family, friends & Stanford didn’t get to celebrate it properly.

My hope?

They get another chance next year.

8) What can you do to help?

Visit keepstanfordwrestling.com to learn more about their fight, sign the petition, or donate some cash to the cause.

Even better?

RT this thread with #KeepStanfordWrestling to spread the word.

Ps. @Stanford_AD do the right thing :)

9) If you enjoyed this thread, you should follow me @JoePompliano. I tweet threads about the money & business behind sports every day.

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