Eastern Michigan Athletics
DelPorto Gets NWCA Coaching Nod
5/15/2006 12:08:09 PM | Wrestling
New Eagles’ head man to coach U.S. team on summer tour of Ukraine
YPSILANTI, Mich.--Eastern Michigan University’s new head wrestling coach Derek DelPorto has been named the head coach of the 2006 National Wrestling Coaches Association All-American Summer Tour team that will tour the Ukraine.
The tour is scheduled for June 1-10 and the team will make stops in Odessa and Kiev as part of a goodwill wrestling tour of the Ukraine. DelPorto, the head coach of the Slippery Rock University wrestling program for the past two years, will have a familiar face on the U.S. team as former SRU wrestler David Pienaar has been invited to wrestle. Pienaar, who has three years of eligibility left, has announced that he is transferring to EMU and will compete for the Eagles’ wrestling team in 2006-07.
"Having the opportunity to coach this year’s tour is going to be a great experience," DelPorto said. "Any time you get to travel overseas you are bound to learn something new about the world and its different cultures. Their style of wrestling will be matched with some great talent from the U.S. collegiate wrestlers.
"I’m glad that David Pienaar will have the opportunity to get some great wrestling experience," DelPorto added. "He will get a chance to see part of the world that very few Americans have the opportunity to visit."
