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North Iowa Area Community College head wrestling coach Richard Fergola resigned today.

“Coach Fergola did an outstanding job in spearheading our transition back to competitive wrestling. The accomplishments this season were tremendous and the coaching staff and the student-athletes should be commended,” said Dan Mason, NIACC athletic director.

Wrestling’s comeback to NIACC this past year marked the addition of a sport with a tradition of excellence at the College.  NIACC’s wrestling program won the national title in 1973.  The wrestling team, which began in 1967, had a record of 126-18-2 before the program was dropped in 1976.

“It is with the utmost regret that, due to family and personal reasons, I must resign my position as head wrestling coach and physical education instructor at NIACC.  I want to thank Dr. Michael Morrison (retired 2008), Dan Mason and everyone else (very much for the opportunities that they) have given me this past season,” Fergola said.

Mason said that a national search for NIACC’s next head wrestling coach will begin immediately. 

“We will move forward and attempt to secure a quality individual to maintain the momentum established during the 2007-2008 season, and we’re confident that, given our record and reputation, we’ll attract a quality pool of candidates,” Mason said.

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