New York, NY, September 25, 2012 — Tickets for the first-ever college wrestling event at Madison Square Garden are now on-sale, MSG Sports announced today.  Wrestling fans can purchase tickets for the inaugural Grapple at the Garden, presented by Suplay.com at the Madison Square Garden box office, all Ticketmaster outlets and online at www.thegarden.com/grapple.  Tickets start at $20.00 for the December 16^th event at The World’s Most Famous Arena, and fans can purchase tickets in the designated fan section for their respective university.

Five additional universities, including perennial top-10 programs Cornell and Missouri as well as Bloomsburg, Drexel, and George Mason will join Bucknell, Chattanooga, Hofstra, Iowa, Maryland, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Ohio State and Rutgers for this much anticipated event bringing the total participating institutions to an unprecedented 14 for the one-day dual-meet event. 

The 14 participating institutions will take to a total of eight wrestling mats on The Garden floor throughout the course of two separate sessions.  Session 1 begins at 10:30 a.m. with Drexel vs. George Mason, Rutgers vs. Nebraska, Iowa vs. Hofstra, Ohio State vs. Maryland, Cornell vs. Missouri, and Oklahoma State vs. Chattanooga.  Session two, beginning at 12:30 p.m. will feature Iowa vs. Bucknell, Rutgers vs. Chattanooga, Ohio State vs. Hofstra, Nebraska vs. Maryland, Cornell vs. Oklahoma State, and Missouri vs. Bloomsburg. For complete mat schedule, visit thegarden.com/grapple.

“Madison Square Garden has a long and legendary history with collegiate athletics and there’s no better way to host our first-ever college wrestling meet than with The Grapple at the Garden,” said Joel Fisher, executive vice president, MSG Sports.  “We would like to welcome our partners Suplay.com and Premiere Global Sports to this historic event.” 

“The world’s best known wrestling gear supplier, Suplay.com, is proud to team up with Madison Square Garden, The World’s Most Famous Arena, as presenting partner for the inaugural Grapple at the Garden”, said Gary E. Frey, CEO, Suplay – Wrestler’s World.  “This premier wrestling event is ground-breaking for the sport, the college teams involved, and SUPLAY – Wrestler’s World.  GRAPPLE AT THE GARDEN is a rare first-time event in our sport, and promises to be an exciting and memorable occasion.”

"We are proud to partner with Madison Square Garden and be a part of this inaugural event showcasing such talented athletes from across the country. Visiting The Garden in itself is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and we are thrilled to service the nation's collegiate wrestling fans in New York City," said Ken Bruce, Executive Vice President of Premiere Global Sports, College Division.

To learn more about official Grapple at The Garden travel packages, please visit www.GardenGrappleTravel.com or call (877) 701-3295.

Iowa Head Coach, Tom Brands

“International wrestling has had some very strong events in New York City and now it’s exciting to see collegiate wrestling on the big stage in the Big Apple. It’s a historic event and we’re pretty excited to be a part of it.”

Oklahoma State Head Coach, John Smith

“’Grapple at the Garden’ is going to be a great event. I am excited about all the NYC area wrestlers, including the Beat The Streets athletes, getting a chance to see many great national college wrestling programs. I like that we hit Cornell in New York City.”

Cornell Head Coach, Rob Koll

“Cornell wrestling is thrilled to be a part of such an historic wrestling event. This will be exciting opportunity for us to expose Cornell University’s large and loyal NYC metropolitan area alumni to the world of Cornell wrestling!”

“Mizzou is excited to have the opportunity to participate in the ‘Grapple at the Garden’ at a venue as prestigious as Madison Square Garden. Getting to compete in New York City at The Garden is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience that our team will always remember. There are some great programs competing in this event and we’re excited to go toe-to-toe with some of the nation’s best in December.”

George Mason Head Coach, Joe Russell

“We are honored to be part of the first collegiate wrestling event to take place in Madison Square Garden.  When The Garden called with the invitation, I was thrilled. We are thankful to our administration for helping make this a reality."

Bloomsburg Head Coach, John Stutzman

"For Bloomsburg University to be selected as one of the team's to be part of the first collegiate wrestling event at Madison Square Garden is pretty special.  The Garden is one of the premier facilities in all of sports and I am looking forward to the chance to compete there along with all the other teams. To be the best you need to wrestle the best, and to have the chance to do that in New York City, in this arena, will be an opportunity we won't forget."

Drexel Head Coach, Matt Azevedo

“The Drexel Wrestling Team is honored to participate in the inaugural Grapple at the Garden.  Being one of the teams that will showcase collegiate wrestling in Madison Square Garden for the first time in its history is a proud moment for our program and the sport of wrestling.  This is an exciting opportunity for our wrestlers to represent Drexel University on one of the world's biggest stages.”

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Bucknell Head Coach, Dan Wirnsberger:

"This is an honor and privilege for the Bucknell Wrestling program to be invited to compete in this prestigious wrestling event in Madison Square Garden. This is a unique opportunity for our student-athletes to experience such a historic venue and to compete against one of the best wrestling programs of all-time, the Iowa Hawkeyes. We look forward to the challenge.
 
"Our participation in this event allows us the opportunity to be involved with something that is even bigger than wrestling, which is the Beat the Streets program of New York City. The organization has a mission to make a difference in young people's lives and teach them life-long skills through the sport. This is an event our student-athletes are excited to be a part of and will always remember."

Maryland Head Coach Kerry McCoy:

"We are really excited to have our team participate in this inaugural event. MSG is the World’s Greatest Arena. To compete on that stage will be an awesome experience for our student-athletes."

Hofstra Head Coach, Rob Anspach:

“We are truly excited about participating in the “Grapple at the Garden” in the World’s Most Famous Arena. The Pride has wrestled in some of the great venues around the country over the years. But it is special to bring nine of the top schools in the nation into our backyard for one of the greatest dual match events ever. While we have hosted events at the New York Athletic Club in the city numerous times, the magnitude of wrestling in Madison Square Garden, along with the outstanding teams that are participating, should make this a must-see event for every sports fan.”

Chattanooga Head Coach Heath Eslinger:

“We are very excited about participating in the “Grapple at the Garden”.  To be one of the first collegiate teams to compete in an arena as historic as Madison Square Garden will be a big thrill for everyone involved with our program.  It also gives us a chance to challenge ourselves against some of the best teams in the NCAA on one of the biggest stages in the country.” 

Nebraska Head Coach Mark Manning:

"We are very excited to be part of a great event in NYC's Madison Square Garden, which will make for a tremendous atmosphere. Also, New York is an area where we recruit and have a lot of familiarity with HS coaches, so we are truly excited about this unique opportunity."

Rutgers Head Coach Scott Goodale:

“Rutgers Wrestling is proud to have the opportunity to compete inside our country’s most recognizable arena, Madison Square Garden. The Grapple at the Garden event will bring some the nation’s top wrestling programs to New York City, which is right in Rutgers’ backyard. This is an excellent opportunity for Scarlet Knight fans to be loud and proud in the Garden. Our team and coaching staff will be ready to go.”

Ohio State Head Coach Tom Ryan:

“The Buckeyes are looking forward to being a part of the MSG Duals and competing against so many great institutions while enjoying all the excitement the Big Apple has to offer,” Tom Ryan, Ohio State head coach, said. “Competing against Coach Anspach’s Hofstra Pride, the defending CAA champions, and Coach McCoy’s Maryland Terrapins, the defending ACC champions, will provide us with some great mid-season challenges.”