By Mike Pearson
FightingIllini.com
If new University of Illinois coach Mike Poeta's grand plans come to fruition, Fighting Illini fans will be the benefactors of an exciting new wrestling experience in 2021-22.
Picture, if you will, a raised stage smack dab in the middle of the State Farm Center, surrounded by thousands of fanatics wearing orange and blue. Okay, maybe the mat won't be enclosed by spring-loaded ropes, nor should fans expect characters like The Rock or Bobby Lashley or Roman Reigns to be introduced by blaring theme music. But Poeta isn't opposed to adding a touch of glitz to one of the world's oldest sports.
Says Poeta, "I'm not a big WWE guy, but I would love for us to be able to wrestle up on a stage. That sound that's made on a stage when a guy is slammed down on a mat does make quite an impact. It's more exciting, more fun. I think that will really add to the experience of the fans who are in attendance."
"My goal is to make SFC rockin' like (Iowa's) Carver Hawkeye Arena is and to make Champaign and Central Illinois as big of a wrestling area as there is in the country."
Hundreds of state champions from the state of Illinois associate State Farm Center with their moments of high school glory.
"I think moving to State Farm will be a great move," said former Champaign Centennial star and current Illini redshirt sophomore Justin Cardani. "We're planning to get a lot more fans in the stands than we've had at Huff. With the IHSAs being at the State Farm Center, it will definitely bring back memories of our high school days. Winning state titles there my junior and senior years will always be fun to look back on."
Poeta says that for high school kids in the state of Illinois, their biggest dream come true is to walk in the Parade of Champions at the State Farm Center.
"When I was in junior high, those guys who were wrestling in the state finals were superheroes to me," he said. "That building meant so much to me. Driving by it on a daily basis, I still get an emotional feeling. It was that important to me. The possibility of a young man continuing his career there will help us with our recruiting. It will rival the arenas of the better kids across the country."
Poeta, who was named to replace Jim Heffernan last April, says there are still days he can't actually believe he's the head coach.
"Jim Heffernan and Mark Johnson were huge figures to me when I first came here, so it's pretty special that I can be that guy," he said.
And while Poeta isn't afraid to inject some new wrinkles, he basically remains a traditionalist. He says he'll borrow some of Heffernan and Johnson's most admirable characteristics.
"Their integrity, their relationships, their humor, and their selflessness made them so special," Poeta said. "I'm trying to think of every adjective possible that describes a great person. They just did it right. We enjoyed coming to practice. We enjoyed all of our interactions with them. When you have someone in your corner that really believes in you and that you have a lot of trust in, it makes you wrestle way harder. They provided that for me and all of my teammates, so I really just want to keep that rolling."
Poeta, a three-time All-American, two-time conference titlist and two-time NCAA finalist, was a key member of the 2005 Illini, the school's last Big Ten team champ. He recalled what made that unit so special.
"We had a lot of individuals who were similar-minded and had the same goals, Poeta said. "I was never in a situation where I was surrounded by a dozen people who all dedicated their entire lives toward becoming national champions and really successful wrestlers. A lot of puzzle pieces just came together. It was a lot of hungry, motivated and disciplined wrestlers and coaches and everyone associated with our program. Everyone just tried to be the best."
As for the '21-22 Illini edition, Poeta is excited about their potential. Of last year's 10 starters, because of the NCAA granting an extra year of eligibility due to COVID-19, seven or eight are slated to return to the lineup.
"Like most teams, we're going to copy and paste," he said. "Having Mikey Carr (149 pounds) and Dylan Duncan (141) back is a huge bonus. Most wrestlers are chomping at the bit to compete for an extra year."
Other Illini returning starters include 2021 All-American Lucas Byrd (133), Danny (165) and Zac Braunagel (184), Luke Luffman (heavyweight), and Cardani (125).
Poeta says that at the Big Ten level, wrestling is more mental than anything.
"Our off-season message to our guys is that they need to sharpen their minds more than anything," he said. "Every day, we need to practice and function under high stress, feeling really uncomfortable, feeling pressure. We know that if we want to be the best team in the country, that has to be incorporated into our training just as much as the physical part. Visualization, relaxation, and positive talk will all make an impact on their mental skills. If we make gains throughout the off season in that category, that will allow us to become more successful next season. In wrestling, the mental game is what guys struggle the most with."
Recently, Poeta announced the addition of Ed Ruth to his Illini coaching staff. The former Penn State star was a three-time national champion and a four-time Big Ten titlist at 184 pounds.
"Not only does he bring world class wrestling skills to get our guys to another level, but I know how much of a role model and mentor he will be. Ed will be great at growing our young men and assisting them in reaching their wrestling goals. We have the perfect guy to help get us to the top."
