Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
2009-10 Cougar Wrestling
Sam M. Vadalabene Center The grand opening of the Sam M. Vadalabene Center was Dec. 5, 1984. In May 2008, the Vadalabene Center gymnasium was shut down so that construction could begin on a $6 million renovation that included new seating, expanded restrooms, office space, storage space and two new classrooms. The new seating includes nearly three times as many chair back seats than the previous configuration. The Vadalabene Center has been the site of some of the area’s top wrestling events. It includes the U.S. Olympic Festival-’94 wrestling event. The facility set a Festival record for wrestling attendance. SIUE also was the site of the 2004 NWCA (National Wrestling Coaches Association) All-Star Classic. The event, which included a motivational speech by wrestling legend Dan Gable, featured the top wrestlers in each weight class in a head-to-head battle to open the season. SIUE wrestling has a premier 4,000-seat facility to showcase the Cougars.
SIUE Wrestling Room
The SIUE wrestling room has been the home to national champions and NCAA standouts over the years. The room is adjacent to the Vadalabene Center’s main gymnasium and gives the Cougars a practice facility which is conducive to maintaining focus on wrestling. New mats were installed in the wrestling room in 2009.
8
www.siuecougars.com