WRESTLING CLINIC STAFF

Head Coach Kevin Dresser

A new era in Virginia Tech wrestling was kicked off on April 14, 2006, when Tech Director of Athletics Jim Weaver announced the hiring of former NCAA Champion Kevin Dresser as the Hokies' new head wrestling coach. Dresser becomes the 12th man to lead the Tech program since its inception in 1920.

"Kevin has been successful in every coaching opportunity he has occupied," Weaver said. "We know he will continue that tradition of success here at Virginia Tech."

Dresser is a familiar name in the New River Valley as he has been the head coach at Christiansburg High School for the past 10 seasons, winning the last five Group AA state titles and claiming second place three times. Prior to his stint in Christiansburg, he led Grundy High to eight titles in as many years.

"Obviously, we've got a challenge in front of us," Dresser said. "When I came to Grundy and Christiansburg, we had challenges and I think we met those challenges there. This is what gets me up in the mornings."

A native of Humboldt, Iowa, Dresser was a two-time high school state champion at Humboldt High School. He graduated from the University of Iowa, where he won a national title in 1986 at 142 pounds.

Dresser was a two-time All-American (placing fourth in 1985 at 142 pounds), as well as a two-time Big 10 champion. For his performance in 1986, he was given the Mike Howard Award, given to the most valuable wrestler for the Hawkeyes.

Dresser earned his B.S. in general studies from Iowa in 1986. He and his wife, Penny, have three children: Emma (8), Anna (6) and Jack (4). Penny Dresser is a native of Blacksburg and the family resides in Riner.

Tony Robie, Associate Head Coach, Virginia Tech

Tony Robie is in his first year at Virginia Tech, serving as the associate head coach of the Hokies' wrestling program. Robie will coach the middle and upper weights, as well as working with team travel, equipment and recruiting.

Robie comes to Blacksburg after serving as the head coach at Binghamton University in New York last year. A two-time collegiate All-American and 1997 NCAA runner-up, Robie took over a program that had been discontinued after the 2003-04 school year because of budget constraints. Before taking over at Binghamton, he resided in Ann Arbor, Mich., for four seasons as an assistant coach for the University of Michigan.

"I'm very excited to work with Tony Robie," Dresser said. "Tony brings experience, a great work ethic and super people skills to Virginia Tech. We will be a great team."

In six years as a Division I assistant coach, Robie helped coach 23 All-Americans, nine Academic All-Americans and one national champion. As the Wolverines' top assistant coach, Robie recruited three top-10 classes, including the No.-2 ranked class in 2004. His one-on-one work with Michigan student-athlete Ryan Bertin culminated in Bertin's 2003 NCAA championship - the school's first national champion in 18 years. In all, Michigan's team earned national top-10 status all four years that Robie was a coach.

His dedication and influence off the mat resulted in the wrestling team winning the 2003 community service award at the school.

A world-class wrestler in his own right, Robie racked up a 126-23 record on the collegiate mat. A two-time captain for former Olympic gold medalist Bruce Baumgartner at Edinboro University, Robie was a three-time Eastern Wrestling League Champion and a three-time Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) champion. As a senior, Robie led the Fighting Scots to a sixth-place national finish - the highest in school history. He ranks fourth on the school's all-time wins list and went on to earn a bronze medal at the 1998 U.S. Open Freestyle Championships.

A native of Erie, Pa., Robie was a Dean's List student at Edinboro, and received the school's Academic Achievement Award before graduating with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice in 1997.

Robie brings strong ties to the eastern wrestling hotbed as he also served as an assistant coach at West Virginia (1998-99) and Edinboro (1999-00).

Nate Yetzer, Assistant Coach, Edinboro University (PA)

Virginia Tech head wrestling coach Kevin Dresser announced that Nathan Yetzer now serves as a volunteer assistant coach for the Hokies' program. Yetzer follows new Tech associate head coach Tony Robie to Blacksburg from New York, where he was an assistant coach at Binghamton last year. Yetzer is a 2005 graduate of Edinboro University, where he served as captain for the nationally ranked Fighting Scots. A three-time NCAA qualifier and two-time team MVP, Yetzer was an All-American as a junior, placing eighth at 174 pounds after winning three matches at the national championship.

"We're very excited to have Nate join the staff," Robie said. "He's had success at every level he's wrestled at and he knows what it takes for Virginia Tech wrestling to reach the next level."

As a senior, he went 36-7 at 165 pounds, including a 14-1 dual match record. Yetzer also successfully defended his titles at the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) and Eastern Wrestling League (EWL) championships. He was named the PSAC Outstanding Wrestler. Yetzer was honored with the program's 4-D Award (Dedication, Desire, Determination, Discipline) and also was a recipient of an athletic and memorial scholarship at Edinboro. For his collegiate career, Yetzer was 103-33 overall.

In high school, Yetzer was an Ohio state champion and senior national runner-up for Madison High. He holds school records for career wins, takedowns, technical falls and wins in a season. Yetzer received his bachelor's degree in business administration from Edinboro in May, 2005. He has worked four years at the Bruce Baumgartner World-Class Wrestling Camps in Edinboro and has also served as a coach for the Ohio Junior National Team.