University of the Cumberlands Men's Wrestling

Fleeger is a native of Williamsport, Pennsylvania where he was graduated from Loyalsock High School.  Fleeger had a stellar high school career as he was a two-time Pennsylvania State Champion as well as Cadet and Junior National Champion.  Fleeger would then take his talents to West Lafayette, Indiana where he would become a member of the Purdue University Boilermaker Wrestling program.  During his time at Purdue, he was highly successful being named a 3-time NCAA All-American (3rdplace finish in 2002 at 125 lbs., 2nd place in 2003 at 125 lbs., and 2nd in 2006 at 133 lbs.).  He also won the Big Ten Championship in 2003 at 125 pounds.  Fleeger was a two-time University Freestyle National Champion as well in 2001 and 2002.  He also earned a bronze medal at the University World Championships in 2001 and a bronze at the Pan-American Championships in 2002.  After graduating from Purdue, he would go on to become the Head Coach at Darton College in Albany, Georgia for one year in 2011-2012.  There, he coached 1 NJCAA All-American.  After that season, he would go back to Purdue to become an assistant coach from 2012-2014.  While there, he coached 3 NCAA All-Americans.  When asked about joining the staff at UC, Fleeger commented, "I'm excited to become the coach at Cumberlands, a school that has great values and tradition on both the men and women's side of wrestling.  In my opinion, wrestling here is all about having good values and a good work ethic; wanting to succeed not only on the wrestling mat but in life as well.  We are going to be looking for guys that want to work hard and buy into the program so that they will be successful.  I'm willing to teach anyone to wrestle, but if they don't have that drive inside, it will be hard for them to succeed.  I want guys that are going to work just as hard academically as they will on the mat." Fleeger said that he wants to really develop the athletes he currently has on the roster now.  His plans next year are to branch out and connect with the athletes locally in the state of Kentucky as well as nationally to bring in the best talent possible to the Patriot squad.  "UC is a wonderful community with strong values.  The athletic programs are well supported and have rich tradition.  I love working with the people here and I'm expecting to coach some great athletes.  I want them to take pride and work hard in everything they put their name on." Vice President of Athletics Randy Vernon commented, "I am very pleased to announce Chris Fleeger as our new Head Wrestling Coach.  Chris brings experience, both as a head coach and assistant coach, to our program and I feel his experience will be vital in elevating our Men's Wrestling program to new heights.  He is a strong believer in discipline among his athletes and I believe he will be a strong role model for members of our wrestling team.  He also has strong recruiting ties in both the South and Midwest, which obviously will be important to the future strength of our team.  We are very fortunate to have Chris as part of our coaching staff." Coach Chris Fleeger is entering his 1st year as the head coach for the University of the Cumberlands Men's Wrestling program.  Fleeger is a native of Williamsport, Pennsylvania where he was graduated from Loyalsock High School.  Fleeger had a stellar high school career as he was a two-time Pennsylvania State Champion as well as Cadet and Junior National Champion.  Fleeger would then take his talents to West Lafayette, Indiana where he would become a member of the Purdue University Boilermaker Wrestling program.  During his time at Purdue, he was highly successful being named a 3-time NCAA All-American (3rdplace finish in 2002 at 125 lbs., 2nd place in 2003 at 125 lbs., and 2nd in 2006 at 133 lbs.).  He also won the Big Ten Championship in 2003 at 125 pounds.  Fleeger was a two-time University Freestyle National Champion as well in 2001 and 2002.  He also earned a bronze medal at the University World Championships in 2001 and a bronze at the Pan-American Championships in 2002.  After graduating from Purdue, he would go on to become the Head Coach at Darton College in Albany, Georgia for one year in 2011-2012.  There, he coached 1 NJCAA All-American.  After that season, he would go back to Purdue to become an assistant coach from 2012-2014.  While there, he coached 3 NCAA All-Americans.  When asked about joining the staff at UC, Fleeger commented, "I'm excited to become the coach at Cumberlands, a school that has great values and tradition on both the men and women's side of wrestling.  In my opinion, wrestling here is all about having good values and a good work ethic; wanting to succeed not only on the wrestling mat but in life as well.  We are going to be looking for guys that want to work hard and buy into the program so that they will be successful.  I'm willing to teach anyone to wrestle, but if they don't have that drive inside, it will be hard for them to succeed.  I want guys that are going to work just as hard academically as they will on the mat." Fleeger said that he wants to really develop the athletes he currently has on the roster now.  His plans next year are to branch out and connect with the athletes locally in the state of Kentucky as well as nationally to bring in the best talent possible to the Patriot squad.  "UC is a wonderful community with strong values.  The athletic programs are well supported and have rich tradition.  I love working with the people here and I'm expecting to coach some great athletes.  I want them to take pride and work hard in everything they put their name on." Vice President of Athletics Randy Vernon commented, "I am very pleased to announce Chris Fleeger as our new Head Wrestling Coach.  Chris brings experience, both as a head coach and assistant coach, to our program and I feel his experience will be vital in elevating our Men's Wrestling program to new heights.  He is a strong believer in discipline among his athletes and I believe he will be a strong role model for members of our wrestling team.  He also has strong recruiting ties in both the South and Midwest, which obviously will be important to the future strength of our team.  We are very fortunate to have Chris as part of our coaching staff."