Keep CBU Wrestling

Today California Baptist University celebrated its entry into the Big West Conference. Missing from the celebration: the 69 student athletes CBU cast aside when it eliminated men’s wrestling, swimming and diving, and golf on January 2.

The same leadership now touting “great administrative support” and an upward trajectory claimed these programs could not be sustained. Then it silenced the athletes who objected and stonewalled the student journalists who asked why.

And CBU picked a remarkable day to celebrate. Rick Croy, the coach who built its biggest success story, is now suing the university over what he calls a coercive penalty in his contract. His suit joins the federal Title IX lawsuit and the fraud and misrepresentation case already pending.

We congratulate CBU on its new era. We genuinely look forward to ours: our day in court.

A sitting US Senator just confirmed what we’ve been saying for months.

In a new Washington Post op-ed, Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) lay out the truth: since late 2023, over 100 college athletic programs have been cut and 1,000+ roster spots and scholarships eliminated, largely to fund the football and basketball spending arms race.

CBU fits that pattern exactly. Title IX proportionality was the safe harbor justification. Men’s wrestling, swimming and diving, and golf are the latest casualties of this arms race.

Bipartisan leaders in Congress see it.

We’re calling on CBU’s administration to be transparent with athletes, alumni, and donors about the real financial decisions behind these cuts.

This program changed lives, and the people it shaped want Congress to know it.

We're hearing from KCBUW spokesperson Nolan Kistler, a three time NCAA Division II All American and National Runner Up during his time wrestling at California Baptist University. Today he's a practicing attorney, husband, and father, and he says the discipline and work ethic that built his career were forged on the wrestling mat at CBU.

CBU Wrestling was the only NCAA Division I wrestling program in Southern California. Over the years it produced All Americans, national champions, coaches, military leaders, teachers, and business owners across the Inland Empire and beyond. Its elimination doesn't just affect today's roster, it removes a pathway for the next generation of student athletes.

Stories like Nolan's are why this fight matters. If you've already sent your letter to Congress, share it in the comments and tag us. If you haven't yet, the link is in our bio, it only takes two minutes.

We showed up in Washington D.C. this week and put the fight for CBU Wrestling directly in front of Congress.

KCBUW representative Kristian Vazquez met with House and Senate staff including House Judiciary Committee staff across both chambers. The message was simple and we did not back down from it: s*x based gender quotas contradict everything Title IX was designed to accomplish. The law was built to expand athletic opportunities, not give schools a reason to eliminate programs.

"The meetings went extremely well. The members' staff were engaged and receptive to our message. Title IX was never meant to eliminate opportunities. It was meant to expand them. When schools are forced to cut men's programs just to satisfy an arbitrary proportionality formula, we have lost the spirit of the law entirely."
— Kristian Vazquez, KCBUW Representative

We did our part. Now we need every single one of you to do yours.

This week. Not next week. NOW.

Not sure what to say? Here is your guide:

1. Start with who you are. Are you a wrestler, a parent, a coach, an alumni, a fan? Say that first. It establishes why you care.

2. Make it personal. What did CBU Wrestling give you or someone you love? A scholarship? A community? A future? Say it out loud.

3. Name the injustice. CBU cut this program because a 1979 Department of Education policy forces schools to hit a gender proportionality number instead of expanding opportunities for everyone. That is not what Title IX was designed to do.

4. Close strong. Tell them you are watching. Tell them this community is organized. Tell them you will remember how they respond.

You do not need to be an expert. You just need to show up and speak from the heart. Every call logged. Every email read. Every voicemail counted.

The full contact list with emails and phone numbers is in the comments below.

Statement on the Recent Court Ruling in the Federal Title IX Lawsuit Against

Since when is wearing a t-shirt a disciplinary offense?

California's Leonard Law (Education Code §94367) protects students at private universities from being punished for speech that would be protected anywhere else in the state.

The new lawsuit alleges CBU threatened wrestlers with discipline for wearing "Keep CBU Wrestling" apparel and peacefully standing up for their program.

These athletes were recruited here. They built their lives around this team. The least the university owes them is the freedom to speak when it's taken away.

What started with wrestling has never been just about wrestling. It has always been about standing up for student athletes, non revenue sports, Olympic sports, and the promises made to the young men and women who came to CBU believing they had a home here.

Now, CBU swimmers are speaking out too. As swimmer Trent Bemis put it: “Sometimes you have to sacrifice luxuries to keep the lights on, but CBU isn’t willing to do that.”

That quote says a lot. Throughout this entire process, these athletes have been reminded over and over again where the school’s priorities appear to be. While student athletes are being told there is no room for their futures, there still seems to be room for everything else.

But the athletes are not standing alone. Wrestlers, swimmers, golfers, families, alumni, coaches, supporters, and members of the community are rising together. This is about protecting opportunities. This is about protecting Olympic sports. This is about making sure student athletes are not treated as disposable when budgets get tight or priorities shift.

CBU may have tried to separate these programs, but the athletes are becoming more united than ever. We remain committed to this fight and will continue to show up no matter who tells us it’s not worth it!

Thank you to The Press-Enterprise and journalist Dennis Pope for continuing to highlight the voices of the student athletes impacted by CBU’s decision.

"If (California Baptist University ) really wanted to keep the three athletic teams there are some things that are obviously easy budget fixes like fireworks (at baseball and softball games)," Bemis said. "Sometimes you have to sacrifice luxuries to keep the lights on, but CBU isn't willing to do that."

Athletes voice displeasure over loss of swim and dive program at CBU The university announced Jan. 2 that it would cut men’s swimming, wrestling and golf at the end of the 2025-26 academic year.

INLAND COLLEGE NOTES: Five wrestlers sue CBU for fraud and retaliation Plaintiffs are seeking reinstatement of the wrestling program, compensatory and punitive damages, and a declaration that CBU violated California law.

“CBU committed fraud by concealing its plan to cancel the wrestling program while continuing to recruit athletes and accept their tuition.”

INLAND COLLEGE NOTES: Five wrestlers sue CBU for fraud and retaliation Plaintiffs are seeking reinstatement of the wrestling program, compensatory and punitive damages, and a declaration that CBU violated California law.