UB Wrestling taps Matt Lackey

Jim Beichner added a new head assistant coach to his staff. Matt Lackey is a former NCAA national champion. So Skilled that the Daiily Illini declared him the seventh best Illinois athlete of the decade. As a collegiate wrestler for the University of Illinois, Lackey was a 2003 national champion, he secured the title in his last match. He came back from a bitter loss in the 2002 NCAA finals to secure his place as the Big Ten Male Athlete of the Year.

Lackey is coming to Buffalo after spending two seasons as an assistant at Lock Haven University. He was one of the first additions by Lock Haven head coach Robbie Waller.

"I've had the privilege to know Matt for many years and I am confident that he is a great fit for our staff and our wrestlers," Jim Beichner

Expectationsare high for UB Wrestling the Bulls have been pulling in nationally respected recruiting classes and placed a record number of athletes in last years NCAA championships. He is joing a staff that includes Ricky Deubel, a three-time national qualifier and  Jeff Catrabone who is in his seventh year with the program.

"I welcome the opportunity to work for and learn from Jim (Beichner). We have mutual respect and we'll fit well together," Lackey said.