The Hawkeye Wrestling Club announced Monday that board member Brad Eldeen has been named president of the HWC.
“In only two months working together Brad has shown that he is a thorough and efficient leader who knows the importance of our work and isn’t afraid to get his own hands dirty,” said HWC Executive Director Chad Beatty. “Brad understands the inner workings of our organization and will be another great president for the Hawkeye Wrestling Club.”
Eldeen is an Iowa City native and long-time supporter of Iowa wrestling. He first joined the HWC board in 2019.
“I have been inspired by Iowa wrestling since I was a kid and I am excited and humbled to have the opportunity to serve as HWC president,” Eldeen said. “My predecessor Randy Novak and the HWC board laid the groundwork for a tremendous future. Throughout my involvement I have met and been inspired by many great and loyal Hawkeye fans. My responsibility as HWC President is to foster our fan outreach, increase fundraising and create the best Hawkeye wrestling community we can be.”
Eldeen assumes the president’s role from Mitch Kelly, who has served as interim president since Randy Novak resigned from the position in February, 2021. Kelly will return to his role as vice president.
“I was honored to serve as interim president of the Hawkeye Wrestling Club,” Kelly said. “Taking over after Randy Novak was no easy task. He was a fantastic board member. Brad Eldeen will be an excellent president. He is detail oriented and will get the job done. Brad’s father was a great Hawkeye wrestling supporter back in my Iowa wrestling days and I look forward to returning to my role as vice president and supporting Brad in his new role.”
ABOUT THE HAWKEYE WRESTLING CLUB
With a relentless pursuit of excellence, Iowa Wrestling has a reputation and tradition unlike any other. Since 1973, the Hawkeye Wrestling Club has played a vital role in the continued success of not only the Iowa Wrestling program, but also our athletes’ quest to become World and Olympic Champions.
Since its inception in 1973, the focus of Hawkeye Wrestling Club has provided the training, coaching and resources necessary to help our athletes pursue their dreams of becoming World and Olympic Champions. The money raised through the HWC goes directly to benefit the athletes helping with living expenses, training and traveling needs. Maybe the most important aspect of the HWC is its pursuit in trying to get the best post-collegiate athletes to train with the HWC together in Iowa City to attain the ultimate prize in wrestling… World and Olympic gold medals.
With this goal, Hawkeye Wrestling Club has played an important role in the dominance of Iowa Wrestling, the nation’s top collegiate program that won its 24th NCAA team title in 2021.