University of Virginia Library

Caruso Quits Job;
Takes Lehigh Post

By Ted McKean
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

The Cavalier Daily learned today
that wrestling Coach Mike
Caruso has resigned to take the
position of Assistant Wrestling
Coach at Lehigh University, effective
July 1. Caruso was unavailable
for comment, as he is
now at Penn State for the NCAA
Wrestling Championships with
Virginia Captain Jon Shurberg.

Returns To Alma Mater

Caruso, a 1967 graduate of Lehigh,
will return to his alma mater
to work under his old coach, Jerry
Leeman. At Lehigh, the mighty
123 pounder was NCAA Champion
for three straight years. As
well, he was voted Eastern Collegiate
Athletic Conference "Man
of the Year" last year.

Caruso came to Virginia with
high hopes of setting ACC wrestling
competition afire. Despite the
tremendous energy and optimism
with which he tackled his job at
Virginia as Head Wrestling Coach,
he was able to produce only a dismal
2-5 record, and a fourth place
finish in the Conference. A lack
of talent in the upper weights,
combined with a number of key
injuries to top performers such as
Rick Constantine and Ted Moore,
certainly played a major role in
determining the course of the season.

Recruiting Will Suffer

Undoubtedly, Virginia's recruiting
efforts in wrestling will be
seriously hurt by the loss of Caruso.
Since Virginia does not offer
scholarships to potential wrestlers,
the main Cavalier drawing card in
luring wrestlers had been the presence
of the dynamic Caruso.
Known throughout the country's
wrestling circles, he should be a
fine addition to the Lehigh staff.

The Lehigh job had been offered
to Caruso this past December,
and he had considered leaving Virginia
since that time. Not only
will the post at Lehigh offer more
pay, but it will also afford Caruso
the chance to train for the Olympics
in which he is considering
participating. Also, coaching experience
at Lehigh, a perennial
national power, should be an excellent
stepping stone to the heights
in wrestling if Caruso should so
desire.

At the present time, Athletic
Director Steve Sebo has not made
a decision as to Caruso's successor.
It is certain, however, that
many of the wrestlers who had
decided on the University will
change their minds and perhaps
follow Caruso to Lehigh, leaving
the new coach with a recruiting
gap.