Taye Ghadiali wants to show world the value of Campbell University wrestling: 'It's a fight'
Returning All-American battling for team's future as NCAA Division I wrestling season kicks off on UFC FIGHT PASS.
One of the most talented NCAA wrestling programs in the country is on the brink of disappearing despite immense potential on the horizon.
Campbell University's current lineup has proven itself to be one of the most competitive college wrestling teams in the nation as they return to CFFC Match Day at Thursday's "Dual at the Daddy," but that hasn't prevented troublesome reports regarding the program's future. Ahead of a rematch from last year's "Battle in the Barn" against the University of Wyoming, Campbell University star wrestler Taye Ghadiali is incredibly motivated by the opportunity to prove his administration wrong on the massive platform provided by UFC FIGHT PASS.
"I love it because you already know what's going on with our program right now with all the noise," Ghadiali explained. "Our program, they're thinking about cutting it and all that. I feel like it's just meant to be. We're the first team, everybody waiting to see how we're going to perform and all that. It's going to be a good one. I love the pressure."
The Fighting Camels defeated the Wyoming Cowboys in their 2023 meeting and look to do the same this year as they make another trip across the country. Ghadiali scored an impressive fall in that dual and looks to deliver another big result this time around, even as they venture into enemy territory at Cheyenne's historic Frontier Park.
"Same thing as last year – it was only their fans," Ghadiali said. "We didn't have no one on our side, and they all had their cowboy hats, everybody was drinking beers, everybody was rowdied up. We love those situations – the pressure's on us. Last time we came out on top; this year we expect to come on top again. They have a good team. I think they're ranked in the nation. We're ranked in the nation. We're ready to just go out and brawl."
Despite having measurable success and performing on huge stages, thus giving the school an impressive amount of publicity, funding allocations have put the future of Campbell University wrestling in jeopardy. The rumors of the program being cut entirely have left the athletes quite confused. Out of all the athletic programs at Campbell University, Ghadiali and company feel the wrestling team is one of the most successful on campus.
"We went from one of the worst programs to one of the best in the nation," Ghadiali said. "If they go through with this, the administration is going to take away from so much hard work, and I don't believe we will ever get back to this spot ever again if this happens.
"Our team is one of the frontrunners to put out publicity for our school. Big-time schools want to wrestle us because of our program and what we have done and what we stand for. It just blows my mind that they would come for our program that has preached all the things they stand on, and it's just confusing to me. I believe that with everything like the pressure, our team being the first of the year, it's a blessing we get a chance that we get to fight for something that's bigger than us."
While the goal of winning remains the same, the Campbell University wrestlers have more at stake than just an impressive record this season. Ghadiali feels the need to prove themselves to save their program will only lend itself to their overall performance.
"I believe God is going to use our team, and it's going to be a miracle," Ghadiali said. "We're living in a movie right now. Just wait, they're going to write a movie on this.
"That's the consensus with our whole team."
Ghadiali hopes to win the NCAA Championship this year before pursuing potential careers in WWE or UFC, but first there is more important work to be done. With the future of his program in danger, Ghadiali knows the most important fight is at home alongside his teammates. Needing to draw attention to their program's success, they have the perfect opportunity to do so on the worldwide stage of UFC FIGHT PASS.
"It's a fight," Ghadiali said. "It's a real fight. Just like MMA and all that, you're going to be seeing it on the mat. Everybody is going to lay out their life to try and win."
