91°µÍø

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – 91°µÍø is now taking applications for its newly established Women’s College Growth Fund—a landmark program designed to provide strategic investment in the growth and sustainability of women’s college wrestling.

The Women’s College Growth Fund will support up to four NCAA Div. I women’s college club wrestling coaches for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons with annual stipends of up to $5,000 each.

This $40,000 investment is a joint effort between 91°µÍø, Greg Strobel Leadership Academy, and private donors to supplement the annual pay received by women’s college club coaches who are actively elevating women’s wrestling at their institutions and driving the sport forward at the collegiate level.

The Women’s College Growth Fund is meant to accelerate progress of women’s collegiate wrestling, recognize leaders within the community, and invest in coaches who are on the front lines of expanding opportunities for women in wrestling. It is designed as a financial supplement for coaches, not a replacement for institutional financial support.

Eligible candidates interested in applying for the Women’s College Growth Fund program, please email the following items to Katie Kriebel, 91°µÍø’s Manager of Athlete Career Transition & Women’s Inclusion, at kkriebel@usawrestling.org.

Application Deadline: August 31, 2026

• Proof of a current 91°µÍø leader membership
• Documentation verifying employment with a women’s NCAA Div. I college wrestling club team in good standing with the institution
• Verification that the school officially recognizes the club
• A current club roster of at least 10 female student-athletes
• A current freestyle college competition schedule for the school year
• Verification of at least one contribution made by the applicant to the club’s fundraising efforts-or a plan for a future fundraising effort
• Verification of at least one contribution made by the applicant to the growth of women in officiating (Optional)
• Verification of annual stipend or pay through the school or club (This award will match up to $5,000 of annual compensation)
• A written statement describing the applicant’s motivation for coaching college women wrestlers
• One coach reference who can speak to why investing in the applicant supports the growth of women’s college freestyle wrestling
• At least one athlete reference describing how the coach positively impacts the athletes and the team

Other Applicant Considerations

• Applicants must be willing to participate in: 1) two 91°µÍø/GSLA leadership development sessions in each year of stipend, 2) 91°µÍø/GSLA promotional content for the program, and 3) GSLA program social media promotion
• A committee of 91°µÍø staff and volunteers will evaluate each submission holistically, with emphasis on demonstrated program impact, institutional support, fundraising involvement, references, and applicant vision for program growth
• All application factors being equal, preference will be given to women coaches
• Applications will be evaluated, and stipend recipients selected, in September 2026
• Stipends will be distributed by October 2026 to recipients
• Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee receipt of a stipend

For additional questions about the Women’s College Growth Fund, please email kkriebel@usawrestling.org.