CALGARY – The University of Calgary announced Thursday that former Dino Andy Hutchinson will replace Mitch Ostberg as head coach of the Dinos wrestling program for the 2008-09 varsity season.
Ostberg, who completed his 16th season as head coach in 2007-08, will take a one-year leave of absence in 2008-09, with Hutchinson taking the reins for a one-year interim term.
Under Ostberg's leadership, the Dinos have captured three men's conference championships (2000, 2001, 2003), six women's conference championships (2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2008), and four CIS women's titles (1999, 2000, 2001, 2007).
“Mitch is taking a well-deserved break after nearly two decades of commitment to the Dinos wrestling program, and we thank him for his dedication,” said athletic director Kevin Boyles. “We're very pleased to bring Andy aboard for the 2008-09 season. As a former Dino, he is well-positioned to take on this challenge and we look forward to working with him.”
Hutchinson brings an impressive list of wrestling credentials to the job. A five-year Dino from 1996-2000, he was the Canada West champion in each of his five seasons and a five-time CIS medalist, winning national gold twice. In 2000 he was a co-captain of the Dinos men's team, which won its first conference championship since 1988 and won his second straight CIS gold medal, earning Athlete of the Year honours at the University of Calgary.
A graduate of Lord Beaverbrook High School in Calgary, Hutchinson obtained Kinesiology and Education degrees from the University of Calgary. He has been employed with the Calgary Board of Education since 2004, working as a physical education teacher at Annie Gale Junior High School in northeast Calgary. He will take a year off from teaching to take over the Dinos program.
“I'm excited about the opportunity to give back to the program where I developed as an athlete,” Hutchinson said. “It's a real positive thing to have new energy in the wrestling room, and my primary focus over the next year will be on recruiting and fundraising.
“We have an excellent coaching staff in place, which will make the transition very smooth, and it's exciting to be able to host the CIS championships in my first year as a coach.”
The Dinos will host the CIS Wrestling Championships for the second straight year, Feb. 27-28, 2009 in the Jack Simpson Gym.
Hutchinson takes over a Dinos program that finished fifth in the men's standings at the 2008 CIS championship while narrowly missing the chance to repeat as women's champions.
“It's going to be a building year for our men's program, no question,” Hutchinson said. “We lost some veterans and we're a very young team, so I'll be looking for steady improvement throughout the season.
“Our women's team, however, will be very strong once again and will definitely challenge for the CIS title. Five of our athletes competed at world championships this summer, and that experience will serve them well as they come back to CIS competition, so we expect big things from the Dinos women this year.”
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