St. Cloud State Head Coach Steve Costanzo and Assistant Coach Travis Swanson meet up for the first episode of the ‘Husky Grappler’ for 2020-21. Topics discussed include COVID-19 protocols, a modified schedule, returning wrestlers, and season outlook.
Steve Costanzo
St. Cloud State update from Coach Costanzo
The following is an open letter to SCSU wrestling fans and followers from head coach Steve Costanzo.
As we start the 2020-21 school year and complete the first week of classes, I thought it would be appropriate to recap and pass along what we currently know about our upcoming season!
It’s hard to believe that almost six months ago to the day, we shut down our training rooms on campus ending the 2019-20 season. Not only did we miss our NCAA championship tournament, but we also missed recognizing this team’s amazing run and last year’s senior class. Unfortunately, we won’t get the championship back nor will those athletes get relief from the NCAA to get that season back. However, we were able to provide a virtual season recap, recognize top performances, and hear from our seniors regarding their careers as Huskies. It was very important for us to recognize these young men and this team. They were much more deserving of their accomplishments than a virtual presentation, but we tried to make the best of it.
St. Cloud State’s Steve Costanzo named NWCA DII Coach of the Year
The National Wrestling Coaches Association has selected St. Cloud State University’s Steve Costanzo as the NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year Award winner for 2019-20.
Presented annually, this honor goes to a coach who has demonstrated outstanding effort in developing and elevating their program on campus and in the community. The coach of the year awards program is presented by Defense Soap, the official Hygiene partner of the NWCA.
This award was scheduled to be presented at the NWCA 2020 Jim Koch Division II Hall of Fame Banquet on the eve of the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships at the Denny Sanford Premier Center. Unfortunately, the event was canceled along with the Division II Championships due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Open Letter from Coach Steve Costanzo to SCSU fans
Here is an open letter to all St. Cloud State wrestling fans from head coach Steve Costanzo from March 17, 2020.
SCSU Coach Steve Costanzo to enter Dana College Hall of Fame
St. Cloud State University wrestling coach Steve Costanzo will be inducted into the Dana College Athletic Hall of Fame on Oct. 5.
In 2006, Costanzo led Dana College (Neb.) to the NAIA National Championship (with a tourney record 193 points) and an NWCA National Duals Championship. His squads while at Dana College won Great Plains Athletic Conference titles in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. In addition, his teams claimed Regional Championships in 2001, 2002, 2005 and 2006. The Vikings finished with top 10 finishes at the NAIA National Championships in 2004, 2005 and 2006.
It’s a good time to be a St. Cloud State Husky
Steve Costanzo’s resume speaks for itself.
His St. Cloud State wrestling teams have won four national championships in the past five years.
And the Huskies have finished either first or second at the NCAA Division II tournament in eight of the past nine years.
St. Cloud State has won its last 48 dual meets. Continue reading at intermatwrestle.com
How To Maintain Proper Hygiene
Tom Kuisle has watched a lot of wrestling matches in his 44-year career as an official.
Kuisle, who also coached high school wrestling for 35 years and is the current Mat Officials Director for Minnesota USA Wrestling, knows teams and traditions well. He’s officiated some of the top tournaments, dual meets, and individual matches for years.
When he heads to a tournament, enters the gym or gets on the mat, there are other patterns he sees too.
Some much more serious. Continue reading at www.teamusa.org
Listen to episode one of the Black and Red Edge SCSU Wrestling Podcast
On the first episode of the Black and Red Edge Podcast, John Peterson sits down with St. Cloud State University head wrestling coach Steve Costanzo and assistant head wrestling coach Brady Wilson to discuss what it takes to be a collegiate wrestling coach. They also talk about the recruiting process, collaborating as a coaching staff and what it takes to be an overall great team. Listen at scsuhuskies.com