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Sam Barber resigns as wrestling head coach; Mark Matzek named interim head coach
As an Auggie wrestler, Matzek was part of two national championship teams and earned 133-pound All-American honors three times, winning two individual national titles. He finished his career with a 129-21 record and was a three-time National Wrestling Coaches Association Scholar All-American. As an assistant coach with the Augsburg wrestling team, the Auggies claimed one national title and two third-place finishes with 20 All-Americans and four national champions. "Mark Matzek was one of the most outstanding student athletes in both competition and in the classroom," said Swenson. "His experience and leadership will carry the team forward through this transition period." Barber succeeded Swenson, an Augsburg 1979 graduate, who had been head coach of the Auggies for 25 seasons. During Barber's tenure as assistant coach, he had been part of three national championship squads and two national runner-up squads. Last season, under his leadership, the team finished third at the NCAA Division III national championships. In 2006, Barber was named NWCA Division III Co-National Assistant Coach of the Year. "I hired Sam as an assistant coach and have watched him develop his leadership capabilities and contribute to the national success of the Auggie wrestlers," said Swenson. "I wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors." The Auggie wrestlers have enjoyed a national reputation as a small-college powerhouse, winning a record-10 NCAA Division III national championships, with 20 consecutive years of top-four finishes. To return to Augsburg Wrestling, click here To return to Augsburg Athletics, click here Augsburg College, a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, is a member of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III. This is
the official web site for Augsburg College athletics. |
MINNEAPOLIS (7/31/08) -- Augsburg College athletic director Jeff Swenson announced on Thursday that Sam Barber, wrestling head coach since March 2007, has resigned his position as of July 30.