Dax Charles named head wrestling coach at CSU-Pueblo

PUEBLO - Joe Folda, Colorado State University-Pueblo director of athletics, announced today the hiring of Dax Charles as the ThunderWolves' new wrestling coach. Beginning in the Fall of 2008, CSU-Pueblo will reinstate its wrestling program, which was dropped in 2001.

"We are delighted to bring Dax Charles back to the University to start and build our wrestling program," said Folda. "Dax has a tremendous passion for the University and in particular the wrestling program. He will tie our former wrestlers back into the University and has proven that when he sets goals, he achieves them. I am certain that Dax will build a program of which all can be proud. His wrestlers will be successful on and off the wrestling mat and will be a great representatives of the University and the community of Pueblo."

As a 150-pound wrestler for the ThunderWolves, Charles won the 1992 NCAA Division II National Championship. He went on to be a three-time All-American and a 1994 academic All-American.

Following graduation from CSU-Pueblo in 1994 with a bachelor's degree in recreation, Charles served as an assistant wrestling coach under Doug Moses from 1994-2001. Under Moses, now the head wrestling coach at New Mexico Highlands University, Charles assisted in all aspects of the wrestling program including recruiting, academic advising, supervising study hall, arranging travel, and on-mat training.

Over the last 14 years, Charles has been the director of support services at El Pueblo Boys and Girls Ranch. At El Pueblo, he was responsible for the design, development and implementation of support services, compliance and recreation for more than 300 troubled youth, as well as the supervision and training of more than 300 employees.

Charles will begin his duties as head wrestling coach on September 1, 2007.