JEFFERSON TWP - After years of patiently waiting, wrestling supporters finally managed to pin down South Butler School Board members on a decision concerning the team.

By a vote of 8 to 1 Wednesday evening, board members approved sanctioning a middle-school wrestling program within the district. It also approved the expansion of that team to the varsity level.

Board president Jim Jones was the lone dissenting vote.

Thunderous applause from the 20 wrestlers and wrestling boosters in attendance echoed through the room when the decision was announced.

The same group attended a meeting last month, asking the board to consider sanctioning the sport.

Mark McLaughlin, the team's coach, and others spoke on behalf of the team at that meeting and cited the pros and cons of having a school-sanctioned wrestling program.

Following that meeting, Jones asked athletic director Josh Shoop to determine if it was feasible to have a wrestling program at the middle-school level. The determination would be based on available gym time for wrestling matches and, potentially, for practices. Jones said the board would go with Shoop's recommendation.

Shoop reported Wednesday night there was ample gym space for the matches and said some space could be set aside for practices, although it was determined that wasn't necessary since the team practices elsewhere.

Shoop estimated the cost to run the program would be between $6,500 and $7,500. As part of the agreement, the wrestling boosters will pay the total cost for the first year. He therefore recommended the program be considered for sanctioning by the district.

"We made the commitment to cover the entire cost of the program the first year," McLaughlin told board members Wednesday, repeating the offer made by the team last month.

As part of the agreement, the board also granted the program permission to expand the team to the varsity level, should there be enough team members at that level, and if the boosters pay for the first year.

"I'm very much in favor of a sanctioned wrestling program," board member Jeff Graham said. "But I hope the boosters will continue to help financially support the program as much as it can, rather than putting the full burden off onto the school district."

McLaughlin said he didn't see the boosters dropping the ball on the funding issue in the future.

"I do not see that enthusiasm (for fund-raising) will wane one bit," he said.

To have the program at all three levels - elementary, junior varsity and varsity - would cost about $21,000 a year to operate, Shoop said.

A wrestling equipment room also might be needed once the varsity program is created, Shoop said. A cost estimate for that was not immediately available.

Jones said he was unable to vote in favor of the program because he had concerns about Title IX requirements set forth by the state. Those requirements stipulate that the district could be held liable if it has more sports program available for boys than girls and if more boys than girls participate in the sports that are offered.

Although wrestling is a coed sport, Jones said he is worried interest in the program from girls will wane at the senior high level, possibly causing problems.

"It's because of my concerns over Title IX that I cannot support it," Jones said.

McLaughlin said he hopes that doesn't happen and will do his best to recruit as many girls as boys for the team.