© Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK
When the college wrestling season wraps up on March 21 at the NCAA Wrestling Championship in Cleveland, the Cal Baptist University wrestling program will cease to exist.
The private university, which is located in Riverside, California, announced plans to drop its men’s golf, men’s swimming and diving, and men’s wrestling program late last year.
Since that point, both current and former wrestlers for the school have rallied in an attempt to rescue the program.
“You cut the one Division 1 program in Southern California, that means less opportunity for the next generation,” CBU wrestling alumnus Nolan Kistler said.
However, their appeals have largely fallen on deaf ears.
Cal Baptist Admin Makes Threats After Learning Of Wrestling Program’s Protest
In an act of protest, Cal Baptist wrestlers planned to compete in their final dual of the season against Cal Bakersfield on Feb. 21, wearing plain singlets rather than team-issued gear.
Well, that did not go over well with the school’s athletic administration.
Cal Baptist Wrestling refused to wear school-issued gear after being told their program is being cut.
Administrators then threatened to pull them from their final meet in retaliation.
That’s not leadership.#KeepCBUWrestling
pic.twitter.com/ZTIY0Omkpy— Saturday Night Lights (@WrestlingSNL) February 26, 2026
In a newly leaked video from a current Cal Baptist wrestler, a representative from the school’s administration can be heard giving the team an ultimatum. Either they compete in the gear paid for an issued by the university, or they do not compete at all.
“Your voice will not be heard, because you’re not getting an opportunity to wrestle,” a voice can be heard saying in the video. “I’m really trying to warn you guys to out the right way.”
An anonymous member of the team also reported that they cannot wear any gear that says “Keep CBU Wrestling.”
The athlete states that they’ve been asked to sign paperwork agreeing to follow admin directives, and if they do not do so, they risk being pulled from all competition.
“No athlete should be threatened with losing their season for wanting their voice to be heard. The video is deeply concerning,” Kistler said in a statement responding to the incident. “These young men were not refusing to compete; they were asking to peacefully express themselves about a decision that directly impacts their futures.”
“Higher education should foster leadership, dialogue, and character. Ultimatums and threats do not reflect those principles… We remain hopeful the university will take this moment to make it right. To choose dialogue over discipline, and leadership over intimidation. That is all these athletes are asking for,” the statement read.
Cal Baptist wrestlers are scheduled to compete in the Big 12 Conference Tournament on March 6-7, then again at the NCAA Tournament if they qualify.