YPSILANTI -- Eastern Michigan University's David Bolyard was named the Mid-American Conference wrestling Coach of the Year on Wednesday by a vote of fellow MAC coaches.

Bolyard is the second conference Coach of the Year in program history, joining Willie Gadson, who won the award in 1996.

The Eagles' wrestling program was one of four athletic programs the university dropped on March 20 as it looks to stabilize its budget for the 2018 fiscal year.

The 2017-18 campaign was Bolyard's most successful season at EMU. The team finished with an 8-8 dual record, including 3-5 in the MAC and perfect 3-0 mark at home. EMU had a strong showing in the MAC Championships, taking third place behind nationally-ranked Missouri and Central Michigan. The third-place finish was the best for the Eagles since 2012.

Bolyard, in his fourth season with the Eagles, coached four wrestlers into the finals of their respective weight classes, including an individual title for Kayne MacCallum at 184 pounds. MacCallum is EMU's first individual champion since 2009.

The Eagles also qualified five grapplers into the 2018 NCAA Championships, tying a program-record set in 1989 and matched in 1996.



At the NCAA Championships, Bolyard capped off the momentous year by guiding 141 pounder Sa'Derian Perry to All-American status, as the redshirt sophomore took eighth place. It was EMU's fifth All-American in program history and first since 1999.

The move, which includes cutting the softball, women's tennis and men's swimming and diving programs, is expected to save the university $2.4 million.

Affected by the decision are 25 female student-athletes and 58 male student-athletes, including 24 on the wrestling team.

EMU wrestlers were expected to protest the decision by speaking out at the Michigan Youth Wrestling Association state championships on Saturday, March 24, Wings Event Center in Kalamazoo.