April 29, 2008

LARAMIE, Wyo. -

University of Wyoming Athletics Director Tom Burman announced on Tuesday that head wrestling coach Steven Suder is resigning his position at the University of Wyoming to pursue other interests.

Suder has served as head coach of the Cowboy wrestling program for the past 19 years, and was also a former Cowboy wrestling letterman from 1975-79.

"Coach Suder has been a part of our athletic program for over two decades as a coach and student-athlete, and we thank him for all his many years of service," said Burman. "Before returning as head coach, he was an outstanding wrestler here at UW. We wish him, his wife Deanna and his family all the best."

"I have been blessed to have had the opportunity to come back and serve as the head wrestling coach at UW for these past 19 years," said Suder. "I have worked alongside some great people during this assignment. In my opinion, everything is in place for this program to climb back up and challenge for championships and Top 15 national rankings again. Some very good changes have been made in the last couple years including the additions of current assistant coaches Ben (VomBaur) and Travis (Shufelt), and it's time to have some fresh, hungry, passionate `newness' leading the way. I am excited to see it happen."

Suder led Wyoming to two Western Athletic Conference team titles as head coach in 1990 and 1992. He was selected WAC Coach of the Year four times, and since UW left the WAC after the 1999 season, Suder earned NCAA West Regional Coach of the Year honors twice -- in 2001 and 2004. His dual record as a head coach is 127-136-2 (.483). As a student-athlete, he earned All-America honors his senior year of 1979 after placing eighth in the 150-pound weight class at the NCAA Championships.

Burman said that current Cowboy assistant coach Ben VomBaur would serve as the interim head coach, but that no specific timetable for filling the head-coaching position would be established.