(LEBANON, Ill., Sept. 26)- The McKendree University athletic department recently announced plans for a dedicated training facility for its men's and women's wrestling programs. The university is working closely with Dean Oelze of Hawk Development, the developer of the new Lebanon Commons property, to make this facility a reality.

"This is a big step for our wrestling programs," said athletic director Chuck Brueggemann. "The facility will allow our student-athletes to train and prepare for competition in their own space and allow them to receive high-level instruction in an optimal environment. Coach Kisgen has developed a perennial national powerhouse, this top notch facility will assist in preparing his team and the women's team to continue to compete on the national stage."

The McKendree University Wrestling Center will be located southwest of campus off of Belleville Street behind the new Lebanon Commons Shopping Center. The 7,500-square-foot facility will include two full-size mats, along with locker rooms and office space. Both wrestling programs will continue to use the Harry M. Statham Sports Center as their main competition space.

"This is huge for our program," said head men's wrestling coach James Kisgen. "It will be a huge asset for us in recruiting and training. Having the ability to conduct individual workouts and being able to dedicate more time to one-on-one instruction will help us achieve the goals we set for ourselves."

"Being a new program, this will definitely help us build a strong foundation," said women's wrestling coach Sam Schmitz. "It gives us so much flexibility in scheduling anything from practices and workouts to hopefully even instructional camps."

Preliminary construction has already begun and the target date for the opening of the facility is the middle of December.