The Patriots signed guard Stephen Neal to a two-year deal earlier this week, and with a new contract in place, the former Cal State Bakersfield wrestler has turned his attention to saving his alma mater's wrestling program, The Boston Globe reports.
The program was ended due to state budget cuts, and the Patriots guard is raising money in hopes of rescuing it.
"If it wasn’t for the Cal State wrestling program, there’s no way I'd be able to play in the NFL, so I want to make sure it's there for other people’s opportunities down the road," Neal told the Globe. "Someday if my kid wants to go there and wrestle, I’d like for that program to still be alive."
The former wrestling standout won two national titles with the school and has spent the last two months traveling between his hometown of San Diego and Bakersfield soliciting donations.
"We have a few fundraisers planned in the next couple months to raise funds to get this program back," Neal told the Boston Herald. "We have some other things going on, but it's kind of tough."
Neal faces an uphill battle. Cal State Bakersfield has cut $13.5 million from its 2009-10 budget. But the undrafted free agent has overcome the odds to be a successful right guard in the NFL.
If you'd like to help him overcome the odds once again, visit the Save Bakersfield Wrestling Web site.
