University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Volunteer Coach Joins UNI Wrestling
8/11/2015 12:41:00 PM | Wrestling
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – A special edition of the radio show "On the Mat" will feature UNI's newest member of the wrestling staff Wednesday.
Lee Roper has joined the team as a volunteer coach. Roper is the co-founder of Compound Wrestling Facilities in McDonough, Georgia. Since its inception in 2008, the club has coached 13 wrestlers who advanced as Division I athletes, including former All-American for UNI Joey Lazor and current Panther Jake Hodges.
Roper was a four-year starter at Appalachian State University from 2001-06 and an NCAA qualifier in 2003. He earned all-conference honors in 2002 and 2003.
As a prep athlete, Roper was an All-American and two-time state champion from Madison, Georgia.
"How Lee goes about things is a fit for our program and how we are trying to raise men," said head coach Doug Schwab. "I saw how he related to his club wrestlers and built that up. We have very similar philosophies in our lives and how we want to build a program."
In addition to Lazor and Hodges, Roper helped train in-coming freshman Taylor Lujan. Lujan is a four-time Georgia state champion. He lost just one match as a prep in Carrollton, Georgia. Lujan closed out his high school career ranked fourth in the nation by Intermat and is projected to wrestle at 174 pounds for the Panthers.
"He adds some expertise in areas we don't have," said Schwab. "We have brought in a middle-weight guy to fill that role. He was highly sought after, but this is the place he wanted to be."
Schwab said Roper's desire to be at UNI is apparent when he is talking to student-athletes.
"I came to UNI, because I believe in the passion and vision the coaching staff and athletes have set in place," said Roper. "I wake up every day excited knowing national championships are possible at Northern Iowa."
Jeff Bradley will interview Roper and former Panther Jordan Holm 5 p.m. Wednesday. Holm is a four-time U.S. Open champion. He is wrestling at 187 pounds for the U.S. on at the Greco-Roman World Championships in Las Vegas Sept. 9.
"On the Mat" is a presentation of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum. The show can be heard online at 1650thefan.com or in northeast Iowa on 1650 AM, The Fan.
A podcast of the show is available on mattalkonline.com.
UPCOMING SEASON
UNI's incoming recruiting class has been making headlines with its No. 4 national ranking. Intermat puts UNI at the top of all the Division I schools in Iowa, only trailing Arizona State, Oklahoma State and West Virginia.
The Panthers will open their season on the road Nov. 15 at the Journeymen/ASICS Northeast Duals in Albany, New York.
UNI's first home dual is set for Nov. 28 against Missouri, the reigning conference champions in the MAC.
Lee Roper has joined the team as a volunteer coach. Roper is the co-founder of Compound Wrestling Facilities in McDonough, Georgia. Since its inception in 2008, the club has coached 13 wrestlers who advanced as Division I athletes, including former All-American for UNI Joey Lazor and current Panther Jake Hodges.
Roper was a four-year starter at Appalachian State University from 2001-06 and an NCAA qualifier in 2003. He earned all-conference honors in 2002 and 2003.
As a prep athlete, Roper was an All-American and two-time state champion from Madison, Georgia.
"How Lee goes about things is a fit for our program and how we are trying to raise men," said head coach Doug Schwab. "I saw how he related to his club wrestlers and built that up. We have very similar philosophies in our lives and how we want to build a program."
In addition to Lazor and Hodges, Roper helped train in-coming freshman Taylor Lujan. Lujan is a four-time Georgia state champion. He lost just one match as a prep in Carrollton, Georgia. Lujan closed out his high school career ranked fourth in the nation by Intermat and is projected to wrestle at 174 pounds for the Panthers.
"He adds some expertise in areas we don't have," said Schwab. "We have brought in a middle-weight guy to fill that role. He was highly sought after, but this is the place he wanted to be."
Schwab said Roper's desire to be at UNI is apparent when he is talking to student-athletes.
"I came to UNI, because I believe in the passion and vision the coaching staff and athletes have set in place," said Roper. "I wake up every day excited knowing national championships are possible at Northern Iowa."
Jeff Bradley will interview Roper and former Panther Jordan Holm 5 p.m. Wednesday. Holm is a four-time U.S. Open champion. He is wrestling at 187 pounds for the U.S. on at the Greco-Roman World Championships in Las Vegas Sept. 9.
"On the Mat" is a presentation of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum. The show can be heard online at 1650thefan.com or in northeast Iowa on 1650 AM, The Fan.
A podcast of the show is available on mattalkonline.com.
UPCOMING SEASON
UNI's incoming recruiting class has been making headlines with its No. 4 national ranking. Intermat puts UNI at the top of all the Division I schools in Iowa, only trailing Arizona State, Oklahoma State and West Virginia.
The Panthers will open their season on the road Nov. 15 at the Journeymen/ASICS Northeast Duals in Albany, New York.
UNI's first home dual is set for Nov. 28 against Missouri, the reigning conference champions in the MAC.
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