Episode
Nolan Kistler - Saving CBU Wrestling :: Ep 4 The Full Tilt Podcast
- Podcast
- The Full Tilt Podcast
- Published
- Mar 12, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 1791
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://thefulltiltpodcast.transistor.fm/s1/4
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Summary
Former CBU All-American and alum Nolan Kessler joins the Full Tilt Podcast to break down the decision by California Baptist University to cut its Division I wrestling program along with two other men’s sports. Nolan explains why this is more than just one team being dropped: it’s part of a national trend threatening Olympic sports and first-generation college opportunities. He shares powerful stories of lives changed through wrestling, the fast-growing movement behind Keep CBU Wrestling, and how alumni, coaches, and community members are rallying to raise $20 million and secure a long-term endowment for the program. Nolan also addresses Title IX, the financial realities behind “revenue sports,” and why CBU has a unique chance to lead instead of follow the herd. Timed Highlights: 0:00 The bigger problem: Olympic sports under attack 0:25 Introducing the Full Tilt Podcast and guest Nolan Kessler 1:02 How Nolan learned CBU was cutting three men’s programs 1:34 Building a 100-alumni coalition to keep CBU wrestling 3:30 The national trend of dropped wrestling programs (Fresno State, Stanford, others) 5:10 NIL, NCAA changes, and 44 discontinued Olympic programs in one year 6:40 Why “revenue sports” like football and basketball are putting schools in the red 8:30 CBU’s chance to lead instead of follow the herd 9:49 The crisis of only three Division I wrestling programs in all of California 11:44 What’s the plan? Awareness, fundraising, and building a coalition 11:48 Launching keepcbu.com and raising over $1 million in a month 13:48 How pledges work and why donors are protected if the effort fails 13:59 Inside CBU’s response: “The decision is final, no amount of money will change it” 16:13 Title IX as the stated reason and why the numbers don’t add up 18:40 Other paths to Title…