Lou DePrez to Remain on Wrestling Team as Assistant Coach
SOURCE: bubearcats.com
April 11, 2024

 


Winningest wrestler in program history previously served as an assistant in 2023

VESTAL, N.Y. - Following a decorated collegiate career that saw him become the winningest wrestler in program history at Binghamton, as well as its first two-time Division I All-American, Lou DePrez will stay with the Bearcats as an assistant coach, the team announced Thursday.

"I am happy to be back with the coaching staff and ready to get back to work," said DePrez.

In seven seasons on the mat in Vestal from 2017-24, DePrez won 156 total matches, including 53 in dual competition and 10 at the NCAA Wrestling Championships. He also recorded 38 major decisions, 27 pins and 20 technical falls. The Hilton, N.Y., native qualified for the NCAA Wrestling Championships five times, including four consecutive bids from 2019-22. In 2020, he was awarded All-American status by the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) after nationals were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. DePrez would then earn All-American honors at the 2021 tournament, where he finished eighth. Additionally, DePrez won three EIWA Championships in a row between 2020-22, making him the only Bearcat to win multiple EIWA titles.

DePrez has also had success off the mat. In March of 2024, DePrez was selected as a Scholar All-American by the NWCA. The award recognizes exceptional student-athletes who demonstrate excellence in academics and athletics. Then on Sunday, DePrez received the Academic Achievement Award by the EIWA. To be eligible to earn the accolade, a wrestler must either achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.2 and take part in the EIWA Championships or have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and compete in the NCAA Wrestling Championships.

This will be DePrez's second stint as an assistant at Binghamton. After suffering a season-ending injury at the Southern Scuffle in January of 2023, DePrez joined the BU coaching staff. He would continue to serve as an assistant until December of that year, when he was granted a medical waiver to return for his final year of eligibility.

"I am excited to welcome Lou back on to our staff," said Binghamton Head Coach Kyle Borshoff. "His knowledge and experience of the program is going to be a major benefit moving forward. I am excited to watch him grow within his new role as a coach and look forward to working with him."

Binghamton is coming off a strong season in 2023-24. DePrez was one of four wrestlers to qualify for nationals, along with Brevin Cassella, Cory Day and Jacob Nolan. Cassella, Day and DePrez each won two matches at the tournament, making it the first time since 2012 that at least three Binghamton wrestlers won at least two matches at nationals. The Bearcats defeated their first top 20 opponent since joining Division I in 2001 when they defeated No. 18 Navy 18-17 on Jan.21. Binghamton also won at Northwestern on Feb. 16, its first win against a Big Ten opponent since 2017.


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