Marquette, MI – July 1st, 2026 – Northern Michigan University Athletic Director, Rick Comley, announced earlier this week that the university will discontinue its Greco-Roman wrestling program effective June 30, 2027, bringing an end to a program that has been a cornerstone of the school’s Olympic training efforts for nearly three decades. In an email sent to the university community, Comley cited the evolving landscape of higher education and increasing financial pressures as the primary reasons behind the decision.
“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,” Comley wrote. “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.”
The Greco-Roman wrestling program was established at Northern Michigan in 1999, and has since become one of the nation’s premier training sites for the sport. Over its 27-year history, the program has been led by five different head coaches and has produced numerous national and international competitors. The program is currently led by Andy Bisek, who took over as head coach in 2019. A former NMU Greco-Roman wrestler, Bisek graduated from Northern in 2016 before joining the coaching staff as an assistant coach that same year. He was promoted to associate head coach in 2018 and assumed the head coaching role a year later. Under Bisek’s leadership, the program has continued to find success on the national stage. The 2025 roster featured 33 athletes, and both Bisek and wrestler Payton Jacobson were recognized by USA Wrestling with Coach of the Year and Athlete of the Year honors.
The decision also raises questions about the future of Northern Michigan’s Olympic Training Center. The campus was designated as an Olympic Training Center in 1985, and over the years 29 different sports have trained there on either a short-term or long-term basis. Greco-Roman wrestling is currently the only active resident program at the facility, leaving uncertainty about what role the training center will serve once the program concludes in 2027.
Despite the announcement, Comley said the university will honor all existing scholarships. Current student-athletes will be allowed to continue under their present scholarship agreements for up to 10 semesters. He also noted that a meeting with athletes, coaches, and others connected to the program is planned for the start of the fall semester in August to discuss the transition and answer questions regarding the program’s future.
